Software experts and reviewers from around the world honor four Broderbund titles for their excellence in children's educational media; Bologna New Media Prize awarded to Logical Journey of the Zoombinis, Orly's Draw-A-Story, Arthur's Reading Race and Write, Camera, Action! in the world's first children's international software competition

Business Wire, March 31, 1997

NOVATO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 31, 1997--Close to 1000 software titles from over 25 countries participated in the world's first children's international software competition. In an effort to encourage excellence and innovation in children's software products, Italy's Bologna Children's Book Fair and Children's Software Revue, a periodical devoted to informing parents of quality children's software, selected 36 titles to receive the Bologna New Media Prize. Broderbund Software (NASDAQ:BROD) was the recipient of this honor for Orly's Draw-A-Story, Arthur's Reading Race, Write, Camera, Action! and Logical Journey of the Zoombinis.

The panel of experts who judged the entries included Warren Buckleitner (Editor, Children's Software Revue, USA), Carol Ellison (Education Editor, Home PC, USA), Joachim Kautz, Technical Director (FutureKids, Germany), Kyung Woo Lee (Professor, Ewha Women's University, S. Korea), Judy Salpeter (Editor, Technology and Learning, USA), Peter Scisco (Independent Reviewer, USA), and Jon Smith, (Editor, CD-ROM Today, UK).

Orly's Draw-A-Story received awards for "Most Innovative Title" and "Best Interactive Storybook." The panelists had this to say, "This innovative program breaks the mold set by previous CD-ROM storybooks. This celebration of Jamaican culture mixes humor, wit, and charm with sophisticated, innovative features that let children jump into the storytelling process."

Orly's Draw-A-Story lets children ages 5 to 10 create drawings that spring to life in an animated story adventure. As the story unfolds, Orly will invite the child to draw and color a picture. Colorful paint cans, patterns, pencils and detail rich backgrounds provide for hours of creative play!

Arthur's Reading Race and Write, Camera, Action! were both awarded "Best Reading Innovation." Panelists agree on Arthur's Reading Race, "It's wonderful to see how the Living Books series has evolved over the years. This lovely story is cleverly woven with strong educational activities that work well with the storyline. The end result is that children can practice skills while experiencing an engaging story." Arthur's Reading Race takes children ages 3-7 on a walk around town as Arthur challenges his sister, DW, to a reading contest. Embedded in the engaging twelve page story is a reading activity and two reading and writing modes that extend the child's experience beyond the interactive story.

According to the jury panelists, "Write, Camera, Action! puts children in the directors set of mystery thriller. As they type new words into the script, the on-screen characters act them out, resulting in a strong writing experience." Write, Camera, Action! helps children ages 8-12 develop reading and expressive writing skills as they edit movie scripts, direct rehearsals, shoot films, and write film summaries and new stories to promote films to their blockbuster premiere!

Recognized for "Best Logic/Problem Solving Title," Logical Journey of the Zoombinis is for kids ages 8-12 and builds advanced math thinking skills. Twelve sets of puzzles with four levels of difficulty develop data organization and thinking skills vital for understanding advanced math concepts such as algebra, set theory, graphing, and data analysis. "This challenging adventure requires kids to apply logical thinking skills. It does a great job of combining game play with the sort of problem solving that is basic to mathematics," said the panel of judges.

Broderbund Software, Inc. develops, publishes and markets a broad line of interactive content for use in homes, schools and small businesses. Since its founding in 1980, Broderbund has pioneered innovative award-winning products that take advantage of the latest technologies. Broderbund has a successful track record of identifying and capitalizing on emerging trends through its studio development approach. Broderbund's web site is located at http://www.broderbund.com . -0-

NOTE TO EDITORS: Logical Journey of the Zoombinis, Orly's Draw-A-Story, Write, Camera, Action and Broderbund are trademarks or registered trademarks of Broderbund Software, Inc. All other marks are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

CONTACT: Broderbund Software

Shannon Jamieson, 415/382-4567

shannon_jamieson@broder.com

Kim Dempster, 415/352-5240

kim_dempster@livingbooks.com