HippoWorks (http://www.hippoworks.com/)

common sense media says

Singing animals, global warming, and spanakopita.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that some of the visuals here might disturb sensitive kids. The Extinction Game is like "Hangman." Players guess letters to complete a word. Winners "save" the cute Siberian tiger, while losers see an increasingly distressed animal turn into a pile of bones, one wrong letter at a time.

Educational value: Kids learn about the environment.
Positive messages: Encourages kids to get involved with the cause.
Violence: Not applicable.
Sex: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: The site sells ringtones and mobile phone wallpaper. There's a link to HippoWorks sportswear featuring the characters and slogans such as "Extinction Sucks." Also, many of the games end with donation links to worthy "save the animals" causes.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

More on HippoWorks

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about global warming and discuss what's being done to stop it.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Some of the cartoons seem out of place, such as the one in which two birds appear in silhouette against a full moon. One stretches its wings to put an arm around his lady friend. "I guess the full moon brings out the beast in me," he says. The female bird slaps him silly with her purse, eventually swinging him around and around until he lands in the lake with a splash. "I guess the full moon brings out the beast in me, too!" she says.

Another oddity involves two vultures with Transylvanian "vampire" accents. A stampeding herd of zebras approaches. The male says, "Let's eat here!" The female flies off. The male is trampled. The female returns to her mangled mate and says that he has to stop doing this. He says, "I know, but fast food is so tempting."


This review was written by Jean Armour Polly
 
 

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What parents & educators say

2

Most useful reviews by all members

 
I laughed and learned!
This is a great site to teach kids about the environment. Funny and educational, but not preachy.

 
not much to do
There wasen't much to do.

 
Great wildlife website!
As a teacher, I think this website is a great introduction to conservation issues. It entertains as it informs. Please be aware the site does have a "store" page where you can order merchandise.

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About our rating system
ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age