Our first issue, under the banner Children’s Software Revue was published as a newsletter in 1993, at the dawn of the CD-ROM. The next year, the first Living Book (from Brøderbund) was published. We were anticipating a new wave of powerful, interactive materials that needed to be critiqued and studied.
All our reviews, dating back to 1985, are saved in our database which can be accessed by subscribers. The cost is $30/year for access.
Here are some links to historical articles in PDF 
format.
- Bologna New Media Prize (an international prize we ran from 1997 – 2002 with the Bologna Children’s Book Fair)
- Ten Tech Gadgets for Every Classroom
- The Annual Gender Survey
- Is There a Reasonable Approach to Handling Violence in Videogames?
- Do New Computers Run Old Software? (PDF)
- Choosing Children’s Software
- Kids on the Keyboard
- A Conversation with Jan Davidson (Maker of Math Blaster, and the first Ever Software Tycoon)
- A Day in the Life of a Kid in the Year 2020 (A pre-iPod Touch, pre-Nintendo DS, pre-Intel ClassMate Tablet, pre-Facebook, pre-Wii article that is interesting to read now. Turns out 2020 is here now in 2010.)
- Dotcom Madness
- Choosing a Game Console
- Getting Smart on Smart Toys
- Kids and Keyboarding — with links to reviews of the software.
- The State Of Children’s Software Evaluation– Yesterday, Today And In The 21st Century
This rather dry journal article examines the current state of children’s software evaluation practice and predicts what the future of educational software evaluation might look like in light of the potential of the dynamic nature of educational and edutainment software. - Sites to Keep Kids Healthy (Jan 2001)
We all want to keep our children healthy. Here are some sites that can help. - Are Computers Harmful to Young Children? (Jan 2001)
A response to the report issued by the “Alliance for Childhood”… a group that wants to take away computers from young children. - Six Strategies for Raising a Scientist (July 2000)
A survey of the best software science software and sites, with links to CSR reviews - Symptoms of a Future Scientist (July 2000)
Some useful advice for parents - A Conversation with Peter Kindersley (Nov 1997)
Learn the philosophy about DK software, from the guy who started the company. - Choosing Children’s Software (Dec 1993)
A glimpse behind the CSR ratings and CSR’s evaluation instrument. - Children’s Internet Site Evaluation Instrument (Jan 1998) The criteria we apply to children’s web sites
- Do Computers Make Kids Smarter? (Sept 1998)
Sure… but its not that simple. - Help! My Kid’s a Computer Junky! (June 1997)
Some practical advice for stressed parents. - Six Myths about Children & Computers (March 1998)
Some common sense goes a long way when it comes to technology - Stanford Children’s Conversation (March 1998)
Ever wonder what the people who made children’s software back in the 1990s looked like? Here’s a look behind the scenes at a historic meeting.
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January/February 2003 Vol. 11, No. 1, Issue 57 ARTICLES AND FEATURES Exercises in Deductive Reasoning Comparing the 2003 Encyclopedias Little Clickers: When I Grow Up Starbright Foundation All-Star Software Poster School All-Star Awards Software News for Schools Ten Tech Gadgets for Every Classroom (PDF) The Annual Gender Survey (PDF) Mailbag (PDF) Straight From the Testers (PDF) Directory of New ReleasesSOFTWARE REVIEWS BY AGE Preschool & Kindergarten Early Elementary Upper Elementary Middle & High SchoolFEATURE REVIEWS Blue’s Clues Kindergarten Bill Cosby’s PicturePages Early Learning Readiness The Little Raven & Friends: the Tricycle Story Rugrats: Munchin Land Larson’s Elementary Math Activities Treasure Planet: Battle at Procyon LEGO Creator Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets American Idol Prealgebra Solved! |
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November/December 2002 Vol. 10, No. 6, Issue 56 ARTICLES AND FEATURES Family Holiday Buyer’s Guide Little Clickers–Favorite Authors All-Star Awards Poster School All-Star Awards Software News for Schools Straight From the Testers Do New Computers Run Old Software? (PDF) Mailbag–XP Compatibility Woes (PDF) Directory of New Releases
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September/October 2002 Vol. 10, No. 5, Issue 55 Preschool Tech Roundup Must Have Homework Helpers School All-Star Awards School Supplement: Teachers, Students and the Palm OS Software News for Schools School Technology Update: Trends from FETC and NECC eMac Review Straight From the Testers Little Clickers: Let’s Visit the Serengeti Mailbag Directory of new releasesFEATURE REVIEWS
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July/August 2002 Vol. 10, No. 4, Issue 54 Fall Forecast ’02 All-Star Software Poster School Supplement Digital Cameras & Kids: The Time is Right, page 22 Is There a Reasonable Approach to Handling Violence in Videogames? page 24 Little Clickers: Teach Yourself to Draw! Straight From the Testers, page 28 Mailbag, page 30 Directory of New Releases, page 31SOFTWARE NEWS BY AGE Preschool & Kindergarten, page 6 Early Elementary, page 9 Upper Elementary, page 12 Middle & High School School, page 18FEATURE REVIEWS Curious George Downtown Adventure JumpStart Advanced Kindergarten Jay Jay Earns His Wings Click & Create with Mia Peanuts: Where’s the Blanket Charlie Brown Britney’s Dance Beat Print Attitudes Stuart Little 2 Escape from Monkey Island Nancy Drew: Secret of the Scarlet Hand |
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May/June 2002 Vol. 10, No. 3, Issue 53 Children’s Interactive Media Survey Smart Toys–Smart Kids News The Best Digital Camera for Kids Tear-out All-Star Software Poster School All Star List Software News for Schools Sports Games Exploring Culture & Humanity| Mailbag Straight From the Testers Little Clickers: Perplexing Puzzles Directory of New Releases JumpStart Animals Pencil-Pal Preschool Zoboomafoo Creature Quest StarFlyers: Alien Space Chase Disney’s You Can Fly With Tinker Bell Pooh’s Party Game: In Search of the Treasure Turbo Twist Brain Quest Bejeweled & Alchemy Bioscopia Directory of New Releases |
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March/April 2002 Vol. 10, No. 2, Issue 52 Children with Special Needs Empowerment Through Technology News School All Star List Software News for Schools Shake Your Booty Straight From the Testers Bologna New Media Prize Winners Little Clickers Mad About Science Mailbag Directory of New Releases
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January/February 2002 Vol. 10, No. 1, Issue 51 2002 Encyclopedias Savvy Searching Little Clickers: Animal Sites for Kids Girl Gadgets Reviews for Preschool & Kindergarten Reviews for Early Elementary Reviews for Upper Elementary Harry Potter Roundup Reviews for Middle & High School Two Terrific Animal Sims Tear-out All-Star Software Poster School All Star List A New Generation of Teacher Tools by Ann Orr Software News for Schools Straight From the Testers Mailbag Reading SOS Directory of New Releases |
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Mailbag |
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May/June 2001 Vol. 9, No. 3, Issue 47 Bytes or Blocks–What’s Best for Baby Reviews for Preschool & Kindergarten Reviews for Early Elementary Reviews for Upper Elementary Reviews for Middle & High School Tear-out All-Star Software Poster School All Star List School Reviews by Subject 2001 Bologna New Media Prize Results Just the Facts Sports All-Stars Kids on the Keyboard LittleClickers: Gardening Mailbag Straight From the Testers Directory of New Releases |
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March/April 2001 Vol. 9, No. 2, Issue 46 5 Ways to Make Videogames Your Friend, not your Foe Gender Equity and Stereotypes (Our Annual Survey) Rx for Geography The Ratings: A Closer Look FETC Report (Key Trends in Educational Technology) Software News for Schools Copy-friendly All Star List Directory of New Releases Top 100 Programs for Schools Software News: Latest Reviews by Subject Games: Sorting the Best from the Rest Game Boy Color Games LittleClickers: WebCams Straight From the Testers Mailbag: More Health Resources Smart Toys in the Works: Toy Fair ’01 |
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January/February 2001 Vol. 9, No. 1, Issue 45 Rx for Reading Keeping Kids Healthy Start Your Engines: Racing Roundup Encyclopedia Shootout History, Herstory, Ourstory School Supplement Copy friendly All Star List! Smart Toy Watch Little Clickers: Fun Food Recipes Directory of New Releases Mailbag |
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November/December 2000 Vol. 8, No. 6 The Ultimate Holiday Shopper’s Guide, p. 4 & 5 Creating on the Computer, p. 14 & 15 Smart Toy Watch, p. 16 School Supplement, p. 17-32 Brain Games, p. 17 & 18 Top 100 Programs for Schools, p. 32 Little Clickers: Holiday Hoopla, p. 44 Directory of New Releases Mailbag |
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September/October 2000Vol. 8, No. 5 You can download this issue as a 1.2 MB PDF file. The Ideal Computer Setup Must-Have Starter Programs Back to School Tools The Best Search Engines for Kids School Supplement: The Next Big Thing AOL Goes to School Top 100 Programs for Schools Getting Your Child Online Instant Messaging How to Get Online, Step by Step Little Clickers: Halloween Fun Directory of New Releases Mailbag |
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July/August 2000Vol. 8, No. 4 Six Strategies for Raising a Scientist Symptoms of a Future Scientist More Science Software Ideas School Supplement: Teachers’ Choices: The Best & Worst Software Top 100 Software Programs for Schools Summertime Games Software Trends & Forecast (E3 Report) Little Clickers: Meet Harry Potter Directory of New Releases Mailbag |
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May/June 2000Vol. 8, No. 3 CSR’s Annual Gender & Technology Survey Rx for Math School Supplement: Making Sense of the Dotcom Madness Top 100 Programs for Schools Worry-Free Games Little Clickers: Horse Crazzzzy! Game Controllers That Make a Difference Site Seeing for Families Directory of New Releases Mailbag |
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March/April 2000Vol. 8, No. 2 Learning to Read 2000 The Best Reading Software Reading SOS CSR School Supplement: Accelerated Reader vs. Reading Counts Writing & Computers The Best Writing and Typing Software Top 100 List for Schools Directory of New Releases |
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January/February 2000Vol. 8, No. 1 A Day In the Life of a Kid in the Year 2020 Which Printing Program is For You? CSR School Supplement Encyclopedia Shoot Out 2000 Directory of New Releases Mailbag |
| 1999 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997 | 1996 | 1995 | 1994 | 1993 |
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November/December 1999 Vol. 7, No. 6
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September/October 1999 Vol. 7, No. 5
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July/August 1999 Vol. 7, No. 4
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May/June 1999 Vol. 7, No. 3
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March/April 1999 Vol. 7, No. 2
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January/February 1999 Vol. 7, No. 1
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November/December 1998 Vol. 6, No. 6
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September/October 1998 Vol. 6, No. 5
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July/August 1998 Vol. 6, No. 4
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May/June 1998 Vol. 6, No. 3
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March/April 1998 Vol. 6, No. 2
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January/Febrary 1998 Vol. 6, No. 1
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November/December 1997 Vol. 5, No. 6
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September/October 1997 Vol. 5, No. 5
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June/July 1997 Vol. 5, No. 3
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May 1997 Vol. 5, No. 2
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February/March 1997 Software Vol. 5, No. 1
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December 1996/ January 1997 Vol. 4, No. 6
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October/November 1996 Vol. 4, No. 5
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August/September 1996 Vol. 4, No. 4
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June/July 1996 Software Vol. 4, No. 3
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April/May 1996 Vol. 4, No. 2
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February/March 1996 Vol. 4, No. 1
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December 1995/January 1996 Vol. 3, No. 6
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October/November 1995 Vol. 3, No. 5
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August/September 1995 Vol. 3, No. 4
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June/July 1995 Vol. 3, No. 3
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April/May 1995 Vol. 3, No. 2
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February/March 1995 Vol. 3, No. 1
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December 1994/January 1995 Vol. 2, No. 6
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October/November 1994 Vol. 2, No. 5
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August/September 1994 Vol. 2, No. 4
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June/July 1994 Vol. 2, No. 3
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April/May 1994 Vol. 2, No. 2
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February/March 1994 Vol. 2, No. 1
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December 1993/January 1994 Vol. 1, No. 2
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October/November 1993 Vol. 1, No. 1
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