Sing & Spell: A Reading and Spelling Series For Young Learners

Cartoon-like animation, sprightly songs, and clear voice over narration mark this fast-paced title in an ongoing series that introduces letters, words, sounds, and phonics. The first segment presents the letter A with captioned words spelling out such sentences as 'Animal ate the apple in the afternoon' backed by a catchy song. And while it would seem natural for the letter B to come next, the program shifts to the letter F amplified by frogs running across the screen as words and narration tell us that 'Four-legged Frank the frog is fast and funny.' With big blue eyes and a rather curvaceous body, animated teacher Miss Cathy occasionally pops up to introduce letters and sounds with explanations about the differences between short and long vowels reflected in such words as apple, game, father, cat, and sat. In a segment called Counting Time, kids are asked to count the number of apples in a tree and the number of dolphins, fish, and seahorses seen swimming in an animated ocean setting. A fun country western inspired song introduces the letter X as captions identify such words as box, extra, ox, relax, taxi, and exhausted. Narrated by a grasshopper character speaking in a French accent, the program concludes with an alphabet song illustrating all 26 letters through song and animation. Though somewhat scattershot in its approach, the brisk pacing, snappy songs, and animated characters, letters, and words should appeal to beginning readers. A strong optional purchase. Aud: K. (S. Beauregard).