Bumble Plot extends the learning about grids to include negative numbers. It consists of five programs, again carefully sequenced to take the child comfortably through the steps culminating with naming points on a ten-by-ten grid where negative numbers are used and the 0,0 point is in the middle. The sequence starts with Trap and Guess, where the child tries to trap Bumble's secret number on a minus three to plus three horizontal or vertical number line. Bumblebug has Bumble hopping around on a grid; the object is to set traps for him to jump into! In Hidden Treasure, the child searches for invisible treasures on a ten-by-ten grid with negative numbers. I found a ship's anchor, a diamond ring, a friendly octopus, and a golden crown! Children would enjoy a worksheet where they could show what they found and where they found it when they played the game. These worksheets could be displayed on the bulletin board above the computer.

Bumble Art is similar to Bumble Dots, but contains negative numbers in the grid. The most action-packed game of the series is Roadblock. The object of this game is to build roadblocks to surround the bank robber before he gets away. This, of course, all takes place on a minus-five by plus-five grid, providing wonderful practice in the skills that have been developed through all of the other games.

All three of the packages reviewed here share some very positive qualities. They all contain excellent graphics; they use sound appropriately to enhance the learning or entertainment value of the program, and sound can be turned off if it provides a distraction in the classroom. The programs are very user friendly, take all kinds of input without bombing, give the user excellent prompts, and have very carefully formatted screen displays.

Manuals are well illustrated and appealing. Each one gives instructions on how to load the diskette and a little information about each program. It would have been very useful to have included suggestions for teachers about things to talk about before each program, and appropriate worksheets for follow-up activities.

The company will send you a set of activity cards for free when you send back the owner registration card. This card also entitles you to purchase a backup diskette for $12. No teacher should ever use software in the classroom without having a backup diskette.

I suspect that schools that purchase software from The Learning Company will have a new little character joining Snoopy and The Cat In The Hat in adorning their bulletin boards. Bumble has great personal appeal and represents software that is both educationally sound and fun to use.

List Price: $60