It is well known that the urbanisation which accompanied the 19th and 20th centuries between people and the natural world. Paradoxically, while we are supposedly entering into a "knowledge-based economy", the specialised knowledge which previous generations had of the natural world has been eroded. It is because of this trend that the AA Interactive Encyclopedia of British & European Birds CD-ROM-which deals with the families, orders, ecology, evolution and distinguishing features of British and European birds-is particularly valuable. The information which it contains is first-rate, and the video links, while sometimes a little dark and unclear, are relevant and add to the knowledge of the user. One of the most interesting features of all is an interactive map showing the distributive patterns of 427 species of bird. The package comes with a variety of zones, each with different things to offer. There is a hide where you can explore habitats and bird watching, an aviary where you can learn about the structure and function of birds, and a feature called the "bird search", where you can test your avian knowledge. Although the graphics sometimes leave a little to be desired, this is still a first-rate product which should go a long way towards redressing the nature gap in the new technological age. -Toby Green.

Reallusion's Crazy Talk is a sophisticated but simple to use piece of software that allows you to create talking heads from still pictures. If you decide to adopt a sufficiently slack approach and pick the right images it's possible to produce very Pythonesque results. Alternatively, you can produce a respectable-looking avatar-in your own likeness, that of your pet or any other image-which makes a much more interesting bearer of messages than a plain text e-mail. Crazy Talk provides a wireframe model, over which you stretch your chosen image, taking care to closely match animated facial features like the eyes and mouth. A few pre-defined models are included to show you how it's done. It takes about five minutes to get a working version that speaks typed or imported text in one of several default voice styles, but there's plenty to play with if you want to experiment further. You can amend the wireframe model to more closely fit the image using a variety of manipulation tools and choose from a selection of morph expressions to make your model deliver its lines in a sad, angry, surprised or frightened tone. This isn't advanced 3-D modelling and it has its limitations. The virtual eyes that replace the real things look spookily unnatural, and the voices all suffer from the mechanical monotone that is the signature of text-to-speech engines. But don't let that put you off. [+]

An educational clip-art collection for use at home and school. Produced in consultation with curriculum experts. Designed to support your child's educational needs. Makes PowerPoint presentations come alive!Over 1800 images in full colour and black and white, all sorted into 50 easy-to-use categories. Safer than surfing the internet for homework images.

Treasure Island is an interactive adventure inspired by the ever-popular Famous Five Books, and will bring the classic tales to a whole new generation. Brothers Julian and Dick and their sister Ann are staying with their cousin George (Georgina really) and her faithful dog Timmy, and George's parents, Uncle Quentin and Aunt Fanny, at Kirrin Cottage. However, they are not alone: a mysterious, scheming professor has rented one of the rooms in the cottage. The children soon become suspicious of the professor, when they discover that he is interested in an old shipwreck which had sunk off Kirrin Island many years before. The scene is set, the story unfolds, then players must find the clues, disentangle the secrets, solve the puzzles and lead the Famous Five into a thrilling adventure involving caves, secret hiding places, rowing boats, castle ruins, dungeons and hidden treasure. The installation process is comparatively simple, and is adequately explained in the accompanying information booklet. In the main it is easily followed, and should be read before commencing the game. However, in the section "helpful hints for trickier puzzles" in which five difficult puzzles are written in secret code, it would have been more helpful if the words had been more thoroughly checked before publication as several mistakes are made. It would also have been advantageous if reference had been made somewhere in the pamphlet to the help available via the start menu: clicking on Start then Programs then Famous Five then Helpful Hints unlocks this section, where varying degrees of help are offered. The manufacturer's recommended age is 8-12-which seems accurate-but younger players may need assistance. [+]