Pick-A-Word was the name on the outer package; Word Snap was on the cassette. So, I was pleasantly surprised to find that the first program matched the description of the picture mentioned in the short documentation included in the package.

The cassette contains five games - everything's a game these days! - chained from a title page and index. They are intended for children just beginning to read. The introductory part of the tape lists out the games and the words to be learnt and there are short, not very well presented, teachers' notes at the beginning of each game.

The programs teach short sentences using simple graphics to illustrate the words. First of all the programs show the subject to be described, then spell out the words to be used in the next part of the game. It also reminds the user of the object of the game - to identify the correct missing word to complete the sentence describing the picture on the screen. The correct word is selected by pressing the space bar; incorrect ones by pressing any of the alphanumeric keys. The score is kept on the screen and after each completed game pressing the space bar allows a re-run and any other key loads the next game.

I must admit I was put off the programs as soon as I saw red, pink and yellow elephants! Allowing for that, the vocabulary used and the rate of introduction is not very suitable for a beginner and the programs' value for those with more reading experience is really to increase their 'look and say' vocabulary by a relatively small number of words.

I found the lettering very fuzzy and would have preferred simple double height letters, which would link more closely with the script the children are likely to be introduced to in the early years of school.

At this point, I would like to make a plea to all programmers. Please, please put a sound on/off or sound level option in all your programs. If I hear 'Congratulations' or 'Oh dear, what can the matter be' again for six months...!

Some of the programming is 'sloppy':

1. "Whenever you want to choose another program, please press the BREAK key." If this is done, CH."" appears on the screen. Unfortunately, the programmer appear to have forgotten that most schools will have the D.O.I. offer machine with disc interface fitted, so pressing BREAK returns the micro to the disc mode - and nothing happens!

2. When loading 'Game 1' from the index, the bottom half of the words 'Elephant' and 'Girl' disappeared. This did not happen when I ran it from disc.

3. "Errors are counted below the picture". For a program that seems to concentrate on use of prepositions, this is a strange one - in the programs I ran, errors and correct answers were counted above the picture! Save yourself £2 and buy their Jigsaw cassette - it'll keep your infants and juniors (and most of the staff) on their toes!