Kasey the Kinderbot  (Fisher-Price $65 ) Kasey's big screen makes it easy to see images and his big answer buttons relate to the four sections of the screen, making it easier and less abstract for children to make connections between his questions and their answers.  For example, if Kasey asks a counting question, the child answers by pushing the button that number of times, so it's very sensory and concrete experience rather than dealing with abstract symbols. 

Kasey also has several listening games that involve kids in moving their whole bodies, rather than just pushing buttons. 5s and 6s like this friendly talking robot with his moving head, eyes and arms. You can upgrade Kasey with beginning math and other school skill cartridges for first and second graders.  Labeled 3-7, he's really more appropriate for some 4's, 5-7s.

Cranium CariBoo(Cranium $16.95 ) Totally on the mark for preschoolers, this "treasure hunt" game introduces early color, letter, and number concepts. Drop the six balls into the secret tunnels and then go on a "treasure hunt" to find where they are hiding behind one of the 15 doors. Players open the magic doors with a special key and win if they find that last ball, that opens the treasure chest!  4-7.

Glitter Glue Pens(Elmer's $14.95 ) Giving them different tools for writing can also help motive even the most reluctant writer;  so markers, colored pens and other writing devices along with interesting paper can make the process more enjoyable.  This package of 31 glitter pens will be used for all sorts of projects for school posters, cards.  Very low tech!

Pet Hunt Game(Binary Arts $14.95  ) This game came too late for the book, but it is a fun choice for kids who are ready for a bit more than a simple matching game. Players have big cards with four critters on each card. The small cards have two critters-some with an X and some without. The object is to get rid of your large cards, but to do so, players have to find big cards that "have" or "don't have" the images shown on the small card. This is a game that calls for thinking, visual discrimination, and dealing with opposing ideas. Labeled 4 & up, we think this will be a happier choice for 5-7's.

Lite Brite Cube(Hasbro $24.99 ) Here's a new shape to a classic toy. Now it has four sides so more than one child can work at a time and it has new loopy shapes that add a new dimension to the fun.  We think one of the reasons it is a classic is because it's challenging in multiple ways.  Placing the pieces involves the same fine motor skills needed for writing and following a pattern challenges their visual perception. They need to "read" the details of the pattern and even do some counting. Doing the whole image also involves patience or staying power.  All of these are important skills that are often learned best when doing something that kids find engrossing.  So this is a toy that involves multi-tasking. 4-8

Buy it Right Shopping Game  (Learning Resources $19.95 ) Here's a clever buying and selling game that reinforces understanding of place value.  Kids roll three dice and determine how much they will spend or get by the way they read their throw, for example, if I throw a 2, 5, and 9  and if I am buying I'll want to call that $2.59, the lowest possible price. But, if I am selling I want to call it  $9.52- so each transaction calls for using some strategy skills. Unlike a lot of shopping games directed to girls in malls, this is a gender free game where the accent is on the math. 6 & up.

Talking Math Mat Challenge(Learning Resources $29.95 ) Kids step on this talking mat to answer the math quiz that's programmed at two levels of difficulty. Level one asks kids to find the numeral named and do simple addition and subtraction. Level two asks for the next number in sequence of three as in 5,4,? Or 5,6,?; Addition and subtraction skips to missing factors as in 11 + ? is 15. Keep in mind that beginners need concrete materials to count before they learn the facts in rapid-fire fashion. This is more fun than flashcards, but not that different in content. It's for kids who are ready for drill. Labeled 4-7, most fours will do only the numeral game. This is far more appropriate for mid-first and second graders. (888) 800-7893.

Gobblet (Blue Orange Games $29.95 ) "This has a nice feel to it," remarked our 11-year-old tester after a long day of testing a lot of plastic games. The wooden box stores the playing board and birch playing pieces that are six stacks of nesting "gobblets" (half natural/half black). The object is to be the first player to have four gobblets in a row. The game is easily learned but quickly becomes more challenging as you discover all the strategy involved! Fast-paced rounds for beginners.  8 & up.