Little ones need no persuading when Mickey invites them to visit his neighborhood and friends to see what they can find in Mickey Mouse Toddler (Disney), for youngest technology explorers). At Mickey's house, letters play peek-a-boo as kids either hit any key on the keyboard to cause a letter to reveal itself or click on it. Goofy needs his house painted and, again, either clicks or keys start the action in this and all the rest of the games. Minnie introduces shapes from everyday objects, and Pluto chases gophers that pop up with numbers out of their holes. The most original and favorite activity on this disk, though, is trying to make enough noise using anchors, clam shells, a radio, and other clever noisemakers to wake Donald Duck from a Sunday afternoon nap. Since kids are born experts at this, they take to this activity like-well, yes-a duck to water. While the graphics, music, and other production qualities of the program are first rate, the activities fall a little flat. Maybe it's the over emphasis on academics-toddlers love to play peek-a-boo with animals or toys, but letters and numbers lose appeal rather quickly. This program is fun, but some toddlers may not be ready for the heavy skills emphasis.

When Mickey and Minnie pull into a funky 50s style roadside diner in Mickey Mouse Preschool (Disney), kids enter a fascinating world to peek and poke at while practicing some pre-school skills. Enter the auto shop and create a cacophony of mechanical sounds using oil drums, wrenches, tires, and much more. Goofy runs a body shop where kids can experiment with body chassis parts and colors to produce rad cars that can be "photographed" and printed out-this activity is truly a hit. At the gas pumps, customers pull in asking for certain colors and amounts of gas. Get it right and a satisfied customer pulls away. Get it wrong and they just tell you that they'll be back later-a very gentle way to let kids explore without consequences and tap into preschoolers love of "playing store." Another very open-ended activity is Huey, Dewey and Louie's Opposites Car, in which the three young ducks sit in the back of the car and comment while kids experiment with the car's dashboard and explore the difference between a hot and cold heater, empty and full gas tank, a radio that goes on and off, and more. Kids will quickly be able to play these activities on their own and return to them with ease.