CD-ROM Roundup is a regular KidScreen feature that profiles CD-ROMs aimed at children anywhere from preschool to late teen that will be hitting retail stores in the coming months. By Andrea Haman (416-408-2300 (phone), 416-408-0870 (fax) or haman@brunico.com)

Name, Publisher & Developer- Gus and the CyberBuds Software SchoolHouse Collection

Modern Media Ventures, San Francisco, California, and MicroMedia Publishers, Grants Pass, Oregon, Modern Media Ventures

Release Date & Markets- October, U.S., Canada, U.K., Australia and other English-speaking countries

Storyline -This educational software series consists of 24 titles on spelling, math, reading, geography, music, creative writing, science and other topics.

Platforms-Windows 3.1, Windows 95, Macintosh

Target-Audience 3 to 9

Promotion- – print advertising- co-operative advertising with cable channels- financing for co-operative advertising given to retail outlets

Partial List of Retail Outlets & Estimated Price (US$)- KayBee Toys, Noodle Kidoodle, Best Buy, Price Club and Costco (Canada), under $10.00 each

Name, Publisher & Developer- Eat My Dust, Sierra On-Line, Bellevue, Washington Release Date & Markets- Davidson & Associates, Torrance, California, November, U.S. only at launch

Storyline – Players compete against the clock, a friend or computer-controlled drivers in this 3-D road race. The game features five cars and drivers and 12 tracks with varying levels of difficulty.

Platforms- Windows 95

Target- 8-plus

Promotion- -10-second spots on Nickelodeon and print advertising in Sports Illustrated for Kids and Disney Adventures-$10 mail-in rebate- contests, news and player scores on a Web site (www. eatmydust.com)

Partial List of Retail Outlets & Estimated Price (US$)- CompUSA, Best Buy, Computer City, Egghead Software, Fry’s Electronics, $40.00

Name, Publisher & Developer- SimPark and SimTunesMaxis, Walnut Creek, California

Release Date & Markets- November, U.S., Canada

Storyline – These two additions to its line of simulation games allow children to be creators. In SimPark, players first choose plants and animals to occupy their ecosystem, then manage the park. To create musical pictures in SimTunes, children draw using colors that correspond with musical notes. Once the composition is completed, a quartet of animated bugs

performs the tune.

Platforms- Windows 3.1, Windows 95

Target- 8-plus

Promotion- – an explorer’s watch with digital time display and a compass, thermometer, alarm, stopwatch and signal mirror will be bundled with the first 30,000 boxes of SimPark

– the first 30,000 boxes of SimTunes will include a harmonica

– print advertising in computer and consumer magazines

– product information and on-line shopping on its Web site (www.maxis.com)

– in-store training, palette and floor displays and counter cards at

retail outlets

Partial List of Retail Outlets & Estimated Price (US$)- CompUSA, Electronics Boutique, Price Club and Costco (Canada), 39.95 (SimPark)/$34.95 (SimTunes)

Name, Publisher & Developer- Goosebumps: Escape from Horrorland, DreamWorks Interactive, Los Angeles, California

Release Date & Markets- November, U.S., Canada

Storyline – This interactive sequel to R.L. Stine’s book One Day at Horrorland challenges players to explore Werewolf Village and other spooky settings to save the Morris family and escape from Horrorland. Also launching this month, Someone’s in the Kitchen teaches kids the basics of cooking.

Platforms- Windows 95

Target- 8-plus

Promotion- -sweepstakes with Goosebumps on Fox Children’s Network to have your house decorated like a haunted house

-product giveaway with Goosebumps audio books from Walt Disney Records

-contest for free product in Disney Adventures

-national syndicated radio spots with Fox in the U.S.

-advertising in three new Goosebumps books launching next spring

Partial List of Retail Outlets & Estimated Price (US$)- Wal-Mart, Target, Computer City, Best Buy, CompUSA, Egghead Software, $44.95

Name, Publisher & Developer- Go West! The Homesteader’s Challenge, BRIGHTER CHILD Interactive, Columbus, Ohio, Edunetics Corporation and the Plano Independent School District, Plano, Texas

Release Date & Markets- November, U.S., Canada

Storyline – Kids take on the role of a settler on the plains of Kansas in the 1880s. A second release developed with the Plano Independent School District, Message in a Fossil, is hitting shelves at the same time.

Platforms- Windows 3.1, Windows 95, Macintosh

Target- 8-plus

Promotion- – primarily public relations- is considering holiday promotions

Partial List of Retail Outlets & Estimated Price (US$)- Best Buy, Computer City, Babbage’s, Software Etc., CompUSA, Egghead Software, $29.99

Name, Publisher & Developer- A Story About Me: In the Backyard, Philips Media Home and Family Entertainment, Los Angeles, California

Release Date & Markets- January, U.S.

Storyline – By incorporating photos of themselves and their family and friends, children become the stars of their own animated stories. Players can either take part in the story provided or can write a story and incorporate backgrounds, images, sound effects and music. This is the first in a planned series of A Story About Me titles.

Platforms- Windows 3.1, Windows 95, Macintosh

Target- 3 to 8

Promotion- -is exploring promotional tie-ins with digital cameras photo scanning products

Partial List of Retail Outlets & Estimated Price (US$)- software stores and other outlets, $39.99