Colour, sound, movement, it's got the lot. This is a very well written program which can't fail to fascinate children.

As far as educational use goes, I'd say it is suitable for ages four to six. The child has to recognise what the picture shows and press the first letter of the word, e.g. u for umbrella. Generally, the pictures are excellent: a beautiful ballerina, a pirate complete with parrot and so on. The police box was good but it didn't respond to "p" - of course, it should have been "t" for tardis!

When you get it right, a short musical and often animated scene follows: the rocket takes off, rain falls on the umbrella, etc. All this very impressive action, although the brightly coloured booklet gives pictures for all 26. Indeed, the booklet is educational in its own right.

For those children learning or practising the alphabet, this is a delightful asset. It may not be the cheapest program, and its scope is undeniably limited, but programmer D. J. Millidge has done a first-class job.

B.J.