Zoombinis Maths Journey features uncommonly fun reasoning games that require serious problem solving and maths work. This CD-ROM employs basic fundamentals of mathematical thinking while keeping children thoroughly entertained throughout.

Not too long ago, Zoombinis enjoyed the good life. Though they all looked slightly different--different eyes, noses, hair, feet--such differences meant nothing to the Zoombinis. And so they lived happily on Zoombini Isle, making small, useful products, which were prized the world over.

So begins this unsuspectingly addictive CD-ROM, yet the perils that face this cheerful society are not as fearsome as the amount of time you'll potentially spend on this pursuit. Beware the chubby, chattering Zoombinis if you don't want to get hooked to your computer for at least 90 minutes a session.

Adored by educators and parents alike, Zoombinis Maths Journey challenges children to employ such basic fundamentals of mathematical thinking as organising information, reasoning of evidence, finding and making patterns, and systematic testing of hypotheses. The journey follows four puzzle-filled trails, each exploring related mathematical ideas. The fundamental data and variables for all this work are the variations in the Zoombinis' features. Their "feet", for example, can be shoes, skates, whirligigs, or coiled springs (the sound effects for these items are particularly great), while their "eyes" may be heavily lidded, enhanced by eyeglasses, blocked by dark shades, or limited to just a single eyeball. Sorting and arranging these variables in order to solve puzzles requires concentrated effort from the players and the game rewards them well with inventive scenarios that evolve in fabulously curious ways as skills are gained. This may not sound like much, but when Arno the Pizza-Eating Tree Troll, who has been yammering for the perfectly topped pizza his entire lifetime, suddenly demands a perfectly topped ice cream sundae, too, it is a staggering, giddy surprise.

The product is full of so many little joys, it's hard to demand improvements. Still, it'd be a great thing if version 2 would feature something other than the monotonous, ping-ping-ping soundtrack that's featured here. But that's minor. In the end, the creators' promise that this CD-ROM will "encourage kids to develop a lifetime habit of associating fun with learning" is spot on. (Ages 9 and up) --Jean Lenihan, Amazon.com

Join the Zoombinis as they battle to restore the delicate ecosystem on Zoombinis Isle. The Bloats have wreaked havoc, destroying the essential bugs, the "Zerbles", who kept the delicate ecological system intact. Your child must now help restore that balance, by guiding the Zoombinis and their caterpillars through the puzzles and tasks.

The puzzles and tasks take place in the island environment: Zoombinis must decipher hieroglyphs to open gates and guide moths across flower beds, for example, and the activities eventually take them to the Zerble home. At this point, another Zoombini crew begins the journey, following a different path and new activities and tasks. In total, 240 Zoombinis must make the journey to play the grand finale and complete the game. This means children must play at least 20 times (progress can be saved) before reaching this level, and even though this may mean only the most persistent actually finish, there are plenty of learning activities to keep them busy along the way.

Skills covered include decoding, patterns, sequencing, estimating, calculating speed and velocity, using Venn diagrams, organising information, reasoning with evidence, and much more to test and hone mathematical expertise through that most effective method: repetition!

Aimed at children aged 7 years and above, parents may need to help with some of the tasks (and don't worry, a Parent's Guide is included for when you get stuck!). However, with guidance and persistence, even the more difficult activities will prove stimulating and ultimately rewarding. This is a package that really will test children at Maths Key Stage 2 and early Key Stage 3 level, but without the formulaic style of the classroom. --Susan Naylor