Reader Rabbit

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Reader Rabbit is an edutainment software franchise created in 1986 by The Learning Company. This series currently makes up the greater part of a franchise of grade-based and subject-based titles, where the games for infancy through second grade feature Reader Rabbit. The games for third grade through sixth grade instead feature The ClueFinders.

The first game in the series taught language arts, featuring a variety of simple games designed to teach schoolchildren basic reading and spelling skills. Originally, the title character's name was changed to reflect a change in subject, as with Math Rabbit, but it has apparently since been decided to retain the character's original name regardless of the subject area covered by a particular game.

In 2011, a game for the Nintendo Wii was announced.[1]

Characters

  • Reader Rabbit is the protagonist of all the games. He was a greyish blue rabbit. In Reader Rabbit Math Adventures Ages 6–9, when the Sealion is wrecked by the momentum of the storm, he has a plan to fix it while Sam the Lion was on a search for parts. In the 1986–1993 games, he wears a red shirt rather than his trademark red sweater. In the 2000s games, he wears a red T-shirt and blue jeans and in the 1995–present games he wears a red and blue striped sweater.
  • Sam is one of Reader Rabbit's best friends. He is a lion who likes to go on adventures. He also appears as a cub in Reader Rabbit Math Adventures Ages 6–9 where he was driving a ship in the flashback. He also teams up with Penelope the Parrot in all activities except the one that involves fractions on pizza and the song he sings is Sam's Song. In the 1986–1993 and in the 1997–present games he wears a green T-shirt. He also appears as the leader and the main protagonist in the live-action/animated video series Read Now! with a shiny red nose, a red mane and a matching tuft of hair on his tail.
  • Matilda (nicknamed "Mattie" or "Mat") is one of Reader Rabbit's best friends. She is a feisty young mouse who likes to do everything and wears a yellow shirt, a blue dress with white buttons and a blue ribbon on her tail since 1989. As a main character in Reader Rabbit Kindergarten, she finds some things that Spike is stealing. In Reader Rabbit Toddler, she visits Reader Rabbit and goes into the book where it has so many fun worlds you can select. Mattie makes plenty of jokes! The song she sings is Mat's Song. She also appears in Interactive Math Journey and in the video series Read Now!.

Games

Year Game Platform(s) Critical Reception
1986 Reader Rabbit Apple II, DOS, Macintosh
  • Allgame - 4.5/5 stars[2]
  • Superkids - "Although it is not the most engaging reading software currently available, this time-tested winner is a good bet for any family with young reader".[3]
Math Rabbit Apple II, DOS
1987 Get Ready to Learn
Writer Rabbit Apple II, DOS
1988 Get Ready For Reading
1989 Reader Rabbit 1
1990 Reader Rabbit 2 DOS, Windows 3.x
  • Computer Gaming Magazine - The game offered a substantial improvement on its predecessor by being a new type of edutainment in which "now learning can be as visually and aurally stunning as the slickest videogame".[4]
1991 Reader Rabbit 3 DOS, Macintosh, Windows 3.x
Ready for Letters
1992 Reader Rabbit 2 Macintosh
1993 Math Rabbit Deluxe Macintosh, Windows 3.x
Interactive Reading Journey Macintosh, Windows 3.1
  • Superkids - "If you want a highly structured, phonics-based program, you've found it!".[6]
  • PC Magazine - 4/5 stars[7]
1994 Reading Development Library 1
Interactive Reading Journey 2 Macintosh, Windows 3.x
Learn to Read CD Sampler
1995 Reading Development Library 2
  • Superkids - "The game is a solid program, based on an interesting approach to two classic children's stories".[8]
Reading Development Library 3
Reading Development Library 4
Let's Start Learning
1996 Learn to Read
Interactive Math Journey
1997 Toddlers Macintosh, Windows
  • Edutaining Kids - A+[11]
  • Child Software Review - 5/5 stars[12]
  • Allgame - 3.5/5 stars[13]
  • Superkids - "This program does a fine job of introducing the young mind to the wonders of the computer".[14]
  • PC Magazine - 2/5 stars[15]
Preschool Macintosh, Windows
Kindergarten
  • Superkids - 14/15[19]
1998 1st Grade Macintosh, Windows
2nd Grade Macintosh, Windows
Interactive Reading Journey For Grades K-1
Interactive Reading Journey For Grades 1-2
Interactive Reading Journey For Grades 1-3
Reading 1
Reading 2 Macintosh, Windows
Math 1
Math 2
1999 Playtime for Baby Macintosh, Windows
  • Superkids - 12.5/15[23]
Reading Ages 4–6
  • Superkids - 14.5/15[24]
Math Ages 4–6
Phonics Ages 4–6
Complete Learn to Read System
Thinking Adventures Ages 4–6
  • Superkids - 12.5/15[27]
Reading Ages 6–9
Math Ages 6–9
  • Superkids - 12.2/15[29]
Phonics Ages 6–9
Thinking Adventures Ages 6–9
2000 Learn to Read with Phonics
  • Discovery Education - 4/5 stars.[30]
2001 Reader Rabbit Preschool: Sparkle Star Rescue Mac OS X, Windows
  • Superkids - 12.5/15.[31]
Reader Rabbit Kindergarten: Bounce Down in Balloon Town
Reader Rabbit 1st Grade: Capers on Cloud Nine!
  • Superkids - 8/15[32]
Reader Rabbit 2nd Grade: Mis-Cheese-ious Dreamship Adventures!
  • Superkids - 8/15[33]
2009 Reading Learning System
  • Top Ten Reviews - "we found its teaching methods to be productive" and deemed the game "easy to use[34]
  • Edutaining Kids - A-[35]
2010 Reader Rabbit Kindergarten Wii
2011 Reader Rabbit Kindergarten NDS
  • Common Sense Media - 5/5 stars[36]

References

  1. Jinny Gudmundsen, USA Today. "Reader Rabbit hops over to the Wii." May 29, 2011. Retrieve June 7, 2011.
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External links

Further reading