The program begins with the efficient Emily Elizabeth explaining all that needs to be done to prepare for the party: groom Clifford, decorate a birthday cake, pick up a present from the post office, build a birthday-dog collar, and clean up the backyard. As the duo sets out to accomplish these tasks, guided by your child, unplanned events and Clifford-caused accidents throw them off task, giving them additional problems to solve. A knocked-over grocery display case must be put back together before decorating the birthday cake, the needed package isn't at the post office, and the only dog groomer in town refuses to service the gigantic specimen. This program does a great job of encouraging the nonlinear thinking that's sometimes necessary to get through real life.

There are seven places to visit and explore in town, ranging from the beach to the home of the crotchety Bleakmans, elderly neighbors with a large swimming pool (hint, hint). In addition to the overall task of figuring out how to get ready for the big bash, there are also eight activities that can be played using three difficulty levels. One of the standouts is a game in which Clifford must deliver cars safely home after causing a traffic jam; it teaches spatial reasoning and how to follow directions, and there's just something delightful about seeing Clifford with a minivan in his mouth. Other activities range from purely creative (decorating the cake, grooming Clifford) to the game-like (helping Clifford dodge seaweed and refuel by eating fish sticks as he swims out to sea to rescue a doggy pal). The overall concept of the program is stronger than the individual games--a 6-year-old game whiz may find that Clifford moves a bit too slowly. We think disciples of the Big Red Dog will love it, as it features everything from Clifford's helpful heroism to Emily Elizabeth's odd circular kneecaps. (Ages 4 to 6) --Anne Erickson

The software is intended for children ages 4 to 6, and the emphasis is on learning through fun. Your child will travel through Clifford's neighborhood on a skill-building journey and attend a fire drill as a volunteer firefighter, change the way Clifford looks, make funny pictures with Clifford and his favorite tree, clean up a food display, play ball, and many more entertaining activities.

Many skills can be learned and honed, including problem solving, logic and reasoning, creativity, classification and sorting of letters, matching, memory, colors and shapes, counting, fine-motor skills, and following directions. There are three adjustable learning levels that automatically adjust according to your child's progress, while still allowing for independent play. The celebration only begins when the kids have everything they need to throw a great BIG party for Clifford. (Games can be also saved, to continue later, and you can print out photos of Clifford.)

The accompanying user's manual is excellent: it is extremely well set out and explains everything from technical support, installation, and the activities, to reporting on a child's progress and troubleshooting, using straightforward, simple language. --Susan Naylor, Amazon.co.uk