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Encarta Reference Library Premium 2005

(2004, Computer Software - Reference, Rated E, Play it on: Windows)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 6, age appropriate for kids over 7; suggested age 7.

  • Is it any good?

    5.0

  • Common Sense says

    A super digital encyclopedia for the whole family.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 7 and Up

The good stuff

  • Educational value:

    Not an issue.

  • Messages:

    Not an issue.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    Not an issue.

  • Language:

    Not an issue.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Encarta Reference Library Premium 2005 was written by Jinny Gudmundsen

Parents need to know that Encarta -- the top encyclopedia for kids in middle and high school -- has added a new section called "Encarta Kids," which now makes the encyclopedia accessible to kids as young as age 7.

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More on Encarta Reference Library Premium 2005

What’s the Story?

ENCARTA REFERENCE LIBRARY PREMIUM 2005 includes more than 68,000 articles, 26,000 photos and illustrations, 400 videos, 3000 sound and music clips, and 1.8 million map locations. What's more, this version adds a new component, Encarta Kids, as well as two other new family-friendly features: Online Math Homework Help and a special search bar to the Windows taskbar.

In addition to the traditional search bar at the top of the page, in Encarta Kids, kids also find 10 categories boldly displayed on the main Encarta Kids page. Clicking a category leads to subcategories, which in turn leads to thumbnail graphics presenting more options. The thumbnails introduce child-appropriate articles or games. In Online Math Homework Help, kids can find step-by-step solutions to problems similar to those in their homework. Teens find their textbook and then select the page and problem number with which they are having difficulty. The site offers similar problems and solutions so that teenagers can learn how to do their specific homework problems. Finally, with the addition of a special search bar to the Windows taskbar in Encarta Reference Library Premium 2005, anytime kids need to research, all they have to do is type in a word or phrase on the ever-present Encarta Search Bar. Close

Is It Any Good?

With more than 500 articles written especially for kids ages 7-12 and more than 2500 pieces of age-appropriate multimedia accompanying the articles, Encarta Kids is an exciting addition to an already outstanding encyclopedia suite. However, it could have been better. Since it is for young children, it should have more content that can be read out loud. Also, while the articles are easier to read than those found in Encarta Encyclopedia, they contain words that some kids don't know.

On the plus side, Encarta Kids features extra large type sizes, bright colors, and loads of multimedia. It anticipates children's misspellings in helping to guide them to the desired content, and the games are fun and informative. And older kids and teens will find Online Math Homework Help -- the result of a content partnership with the excellent Hotmath.com Web site -- a useful resource. Close

Publisher’s Details

Released on 12/06/2004, price $69.99, not online enabled
ESRB rating: E

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 11
    encarta kids
    I rate this title on for age 14 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational

    encarta kids .....

    i love it because is for student.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  2. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Syeda Sana Siddi ...
    I rate this title off for age 14 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language

    • My highlights are:
    • Easy to play

    good for children but not for 14+

    Yes we liked it.

    This review...

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    Flag as inappropriate
  3. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    michael jackson
    I rate this title on for age 4 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational

    it is good for many ages

    i love it

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  4. Kid Reviewer Age 8
    terrence.gibbs@y ...
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 1.0

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate

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