This CD-ROM, designed for grades 1 to 5, introduces children to the solar system through the adventures of two sisters and a French poodle who accidentally receive an invitation to a birthday party on Pluto. As students follow the girls through the story, they are encouraged to learn about previous space missions, the sun and planets in our solar system, and other space phenomena. In addition to the story, the disc features comparison charts, a recording function, and a paint function. The comparison charts show how the planets compare with respect to size, gravitational pull, and distance from the sun, as well as temperature range, number of moons, and more. The recording feature is designed to help students improve their reading skills by enabling them to record their own voices as they read the story.
Students can also make up a new story to go along with the pictures.
The paint function provides a painting application and coloring booklets that students can use to create their own vision of the solar system. The disc also provides instructions for hands-on projects to explain and demonstrate key scientific principles. Review and assessment opportunities are provided through songs and rhyming riddles . Rated 4 stars out of 5. The link is to the homepage of Children's Software Revue.