Reader Rabbit (fully titled "Reader Rabbit and the Fabulous Word Factory" or alternatively known as "Reader Rabbit Builds Early Learning & Thinking"[2]) is a 1984 educational video game and the first of the long-running Reader Rabbit edutainment series. It was made by The Learning Company for Apple II and later for other computers. It supports the KoalaPad graphics tablet.[3] The Connelley Group helped with the Atari 8-bit computers conversion in 1984.[1] A Talking version was developed for the Apple IIGS in 1989. An enhanced version was released for MS-DOS -n 1991. A Deluxe version was released in 1994 for Mac and Windows 3.x. In 1997, the game was remade for Windows and Macintosh under the title "Reader Rabbit's Reading 1".
Reader Rabbit | |
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Developer(s) | The Learning Company The Connelley Group (Atari 8-bit)[1] |
Publisher(s) | The Learning Company |
Series | Reader Rabbit |
Platform(s) | Original Apple II, Apple IIGS, Atari 8-bit, Commodore 64, MS-DOS, Mac Talking Windows, Mac |
Release | 1984 (Original) 1989 (Talking) 1991 (Reader Rabbit 1) 1994 (Deluxe) 1997 (Reading 1) |
Genre(s) | Educational |
Mode(s) | Single-player |
The game takes place in the titular Word Factory, which teaches reading and spelling in four different activities and has over 200 three-letter words and more than 70 pictures for learning.[2][4] The following four activities are:
- 1. Sorter - the player is required to pick words that start with a chosen letter and discard the rest.
- 2. Labeler - out of a number of mixed up letters, the player must use those letters to spell words that match three objects on the screen.
- 3. Word Train - the player needs to select a word that slightly differs from the first.
- 4. Matchup Games - the player must match picture cards with corresponding word cards.
![Thumb](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/40/Reader_Rabbit_version_1.1.png/320px-Reader_Rabbit_version_1.1.png)
Reader Rabbit was originally conceived by the Grimm sisters; Leslie authored the game while Corinne and Cindy contributed the art. Version 1.0 of Reader Rabbit, titled Reader Rabbit and the Fabulous Word Factory, was released in early 1984[5] (and featured in the 1983 holiday special for Computer Chronicles[6]), while versions 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3 were released in 1984.[7][8] Development for an updated 2.0 version began at the start of 1984. By this time, Leslie Grimm had suffered a disc fracture but was able to develop the game while bedridden, thanks to a detachable keyboard provided by her colleague Pete Rowe.[9] Many critics and gaming historians erroneously assert that the Reader Rabbit series officially began in 1986.[10]
In 1988, the first "talking" version of Reader Rabbit was released for the Apple IIGS and Tandy 1000 computers.[11] The game was remade as an enhanced version for DOS in 1991 to incorporate the 256-color VGA mode, sound card option and mouse compatibility.[12] Another remake was done as a deluxe version along with its two sequels and implemented digitized speech.[13]
Publication | Award |
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Newsweek | Editors' Choice Award, 1995 (Deluxe)[14] |
Gold Medal | National Association of Parenting Publications, 1994 (Deluxe)[14] |
Reseller Management | "Best to Sell" Software Product - Education, 1992 (Reader Rabbit 1)[14] |
Program of the Decade | Language Arts, Technology & Learning, 1991 (Reader Rabbit 1)[14] |
Parents' Choice | Best Software of the Year, 1987 (Original)[14] |
Family Computing | Critics' Choice Award, 1985 (Original)[14] |
The Learning Company showcased the game alongside Number Stamper, Word Spinner, Addition Magician and Colorasaurus in the 1984 Winter Consumer Electronics Show.[4] Dr. Ann Piestrup praised the game for its ability to aid young learners in overcoming the difficulties of reading and its word recognition.[15]
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