Mia Mouse Helps Kids Learn To Read
Several TOP contributors have been checking out the newest product from KUTOKA Interactive, Mia Reading - The Bugaboo Bugs.
Read on to see what they thought.
If there’s one thing my kids love, it’s computer games. So when a program comes along that’s not only educational but fun, I’m excited!
KUTOKA Interactive has recently released the 6th installment of their popular character, Mia Mouse, in The Bugaboo Bugs. This time, Mia’s family home has been invaded by stinky bugs. She’s afraid that if the humans find out, the exterminators will come and Mia’s family will be out on the street.
This program focuses on Reading concepts for children 5 to 9 years old by using 12 different activities on 4 levels of difficulty. Our favorite game was Bubble Blast where a word is displayed with one letter missing. Below it are a bunch of bubbles that contain a letter each. All you need to do is pop the bubble of the letter that will complete the word. Even I enjoyed it!
However, the best feature of this program is the 3-D graphics. The rich and colorful animations will really hold your child’s interest. Even my 2-year old was enchanted!
KUTOKA Interactive’s mission is “to continue to produce original, different, high-quality, entertaining and educative products that use the strengths of interactive entertainment to educate.”
I think they’ve done just that.
By Kailani
My children’s screen time is extremely limited so I’m always excited to find a product that allows them to spend their time learning as well as having fun. Mia Reading from Kutoka is a fantastic new game that teaches a variety of reading concepts and is intended for children 5 to 9 years old. It has 12 different activities and 4 levels of difficulty. It has awesome graphics and was enchanting for all of my children. I’m very very picky about what media I will allow into my home but after having played this game with the kids I’d easily be convinced to purchase any of the Mia products. They’re a great addition to our home as a supplement to homework that is more “fun” and I can see it being a great purchase for homeschoolers as well!
By Betty
As a mother of two boys and a business owner, I am constantly looking for ways to entertain my boys while I work. However, I am not a big fan of the television as a babysitter so when I was approached to review a new Reading Computer Game, I was, well, all game! Enter Kutoka’s newest mouse Mia. The game: Mia’s Big Adventure Collection: The Bugaboo Bugs. For 5-9 year olds. Kutoka claims, “This game contains an excellent balance of fun and education, surpassing the minimum daily requirements of an exciting role-playing adventure.”
I must say at first I was a bit skeptical as really how fun could an educational game be for a kid? I popped the DVD into the computer and settled my 5 year old down on my lap. Soon the screen was filled with wonderful graphics and bugs with voices that not only kept my five year old’s interest, but kept us giggling. At first he was a bit overwhelmed, as he has never played a computer or video game before. Nope, not once. After he mastered the mouse and keyboard he was off and running. Needless to say because the game is so well put together and the directions geared towards 5-9 year olds, it wasn’t long before he was sitting solo at the computer. With 12 different activities, along with an adventure all it’s own and four different difficulty levels, I am sure I will have to begin to monitor computer time, as my son has fallen in love with Mia and The Bugaboo Bugs.
Thanks to Kutoka and their endearing new mouse, Mia, not only will I have some time to work without the whining, but I’ll feel good about it, knowing my son is getting a successful mix of entertainment and education.
By Jody
The mouse on the cover is definitely eye-catching for children, maybe more so for girls. The bugs however, are great for the boys. I proceeded to load the disc onto my computer so that I could get my twin boys of 7 years to start enjoying it. Their excitement sort of waned down because of the length required to load the program. It just seemed to take longer than most standard programs of today.
I liked the fact that there are 12 activities. It keeps the boys from getting bored so quickly. We started with the flea circus. It was a little hard for them at first until they realized how the answers were supposed to be done. They enjoyed watching the fleas jump up if they got it correct, and even when they didn’t.
We then tried the rhyming circus. Probably one of the easier games to play. It helped that there were pictures to kind of give a hint as to what the word was. We then played the safe combination using three words of rows to form sentences. I set the level a little higher than normal just to see if they could figure it out, and it proved to be a little difficult to form the sentences. They didn’t like that one because they couldn’t get it right.
Bubble blast was once again easier for them. They like the fact the picture was up there and the word was pronounced to help them figure out what letter was missing. I liked the fact of the repetition of the words with the different letters missing. It helped to figure out the other letters rather than just one in particular.
The boys wanted to play one more, so we played letter arcade. The jelly beans are very colorful and the sound effects great. They liked using the joystick process since it reminds of those arcade games with the claw. They favor those particularly, and were excited to get the jelly beans. Rather easy game for beginners, and the photo of the word helps as well.
I liked the fact that you could choose what level you wanted the game set at. It helped to keep the boys from getting frustrated and wanting to give up so quickly. Once they mastered the easier levels, we moved it up. The colors and over effects of the program is great. Some of the instructions had to be repeated for the boys to understand, but once we did that, they got it.
It seems to be an overall great product for the kids to start on. I think the ages under 6 may have a little trouble, even in the lower levels of some of the games. The price is a little high for a computer game, I would have figured it would be closer to 19.99 rather than the 24.99. Looks like a great product for learning.
By Sandra
I’ve been reviewing a new software program for kids called Mia’s Reading: The Bugaboo Bugs. It’s put out by a French company called Kutoka.
From what I’ve seen of the program, I really like it! Kristin had a great time with it. It helped her with her reading, spelling, and sentence construction. But those are only a few things that it covers. It also teaches Word to image association using comic strips which are really cute. It covers phonics, singular/plural, capital letters, adverbs, rhyming, verb tense, and following instructions.
There are 2 ways to play the game. You can choose an adventure mode, or just play the individual activities. We had a little trouble with adventure mode. I think our disk was faulty. However, we played a lot on the activities and Kristin seemed to enjoy each one. Our favorite was the Bubble Blast where you choose what letter completes each word given. She also loved Bat Cadet which is for reading directions and following the instructions given. There are 4 levels of difficulty for each game, ranging from Beginner (1) to Expert (4).
The recommended age is from 5-9. I think it’s far better suited for 5-7 year olds. Maybe 8 & 9 year olds who struggle with the above mentioned concepts. Sarah is 9 and she found it far too childish. However, she does really well with reading and reading concepts.
Overall I think this is a great and fun program. I know we will continue to use it. Kristin enjoyed the graphics and the little bugs. They are quite humorous sometimes. And, what kid doesn’t love bugs?
by Gina
Win it! A copy of Mia Reading: The Bugaboo Bugs will be delivered to one lucky T.O.P. reader. To enter to win, leave a comment on this post containing a valid email address (and blog link if you have one) and tell us one other Kutoka product that you’re interested in. Rest assured, your email address, when entered in the comment form, is not visible to anyone but us and we don’t share that information with anyone. You cannot win if we cannot contact you.
There’s software in English, French and other languages, as well as toys & collectibles to choose from!
Contest closes at noon on March 17, 2008.
Get an additional entry into this contest by blogging about it!
1. Blog about this contest using one of the top three images found here.
2. Leave a comment on this post containing the direct link to your post (not to your main page, and in a separate comment from your other entry) or send a trackback to receive your second entry. If you don’t know how to do this, just email us for help!
Contest Closed
March 14th, 2008 at 11:05 pm
Monster Lab
March 15th, 2008 at 4:52 am
My daughter just got this game for my grandkids and they love it. I’ve even had fun playing with the younger one. I can’t wait for other titles from this company–they will be great gifts for the kids. Bravo!
March 15th, 2008 at 4:55 am
The Didi & Ditto Kindergarten program looks like a great one.
March 15th, 2008 at 6:37 am
Cyber Grannies looks like a lot of fun!!
March 15th, 2008 at 6:59 am
Miss Spider Savengar Hunt also looks very good!
March 15th, 2008 at 7:09 am
my greatgrandson just turned 4 and he loves bugs of all kinds but not to touch. he can name many spiders and has a collection of bugs that are not alive.
March 15th, 2008 at 9:20 am
Strawberry shortcake looks good for my daughter. Hope to win this software for my son!
March 15th, 2008 at 9:52 am
I also likie Miss Spider-Scavenger Hunt. My daughter loves Miss Spider’s Sunny Patch!
March 15th, 2008 at 10:36 am
My daughter would really like Miss Spider’s Scavenger Hunt. She is really into the DVD we have of it right now.
March 15th, 2008 at 10:48 am
Jeune Styliste 5
March 15th, 2008 at 10:56 am
Creatures : Village
Thanks for the giveaway.
March 15th, 2008 at 10:59 am
Miss. Spider scavenger hunt.
March 15th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
I love monster lab
March 15th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
Miss Spider, The Scavenger Hunt. My kids love that show.
March 15th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
I like Didi and Ditto Kindergarten and Mia’s Click & Create with digital tablet!
March 15th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
Miss Spider scavenger hunt
March 15th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
i think i would like any one of them this as well it sound’s like it would be fun to own
March 15th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
Hi, You can find the most wonderful goodies! I have not heard of this company. I am always learning about new items from your site. I think the “Miss Spider Scavenger Hunt” looks fun. Thanks,Cindi
March 15th, 2008 at 2:40 pm
I would love the strawberry shortcake and her berry best friends computer game. awesome giveaway, thanks!
March 15th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
Miss Spider looks like it would be fun. My niece is a computer maniac. She loves to play games. We are just now starting to look for good quality games for her to play.
March 15th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
blogged ya:
http://mommyland512.blogspot.com/2008/03/win-copy-of-mia-reading-bugaboo-bugs.html
thanks!
March 15th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
I like The Kidnap Caper also
March 15th, 2008 at 3:02 pm
I blogged you here:
http://bloggycontests.blogspot.com/2008/03/opinionated-parent-win-reading-software.html
March 15th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
I was not framilar with this company. but they have such innovative toys. The Miss Spider’s Sunny Patch and Friends Scavenger Hunt looked especially cute!
Amanda
March 15th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
Monster Lab sounds interesting as well. Thank you for the contest!
March 15th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Monster Lab looks cool!
March 15th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
I think my kids would love Monster Lab.
March 15th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
I like Cyber Grannies, Monster Lab, and the Mia’s DVD-Roms are all great looking products.
Thanks,
Marissa
March 15th, 2008 at 5:40 pm
I liek Mia’s Language
March 15th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
cyber grannies? I sure hope that does not have adult content.
March 15th, 2008 at 7:02 pm
The Didi and Ditto First Grade game seems pretty cool.
March 15th, 2008 at 7:02 pm
I like the monster lab.
March 15th, 2008 at 7:03 pm
For another entry, I blogged about the contest:
http://offthespaceship.blogspot.com/2008/03/im-selling-out.html
March 15th, 2008 at 7:44 pm
miss spider’s sunny patch looks fun and cute!
March 15th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
love monster lab
March 15th, 2008 at 8:04 pm
Click & Create, Mia Science and Didi & Ditto (K or 1st Grade) all sound like programs my kids would enjoy. I’m also glad to see that it is available for Macs too.
March 15th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
Mia’s Math Adventure (DVD-ROM)
March 15th, 2008 at 9:35 pm
Mia’s Scince Adventure and the Monster Lab also sound great. Learning can be fun. Thank you for the great giveaway.
March 15th, 2008 at 10:22 pm
Strawberry Shortcake is a house favorite!
March 15th, 2008 at 10:31 pm
This would be prefect! We also like Mias Language “The Kidnap Caper”
Thanks!
March 15th, 2008 at 10:33 pm
The MIA Science program looks good!
March 15th, 2008 at 10:49 pm
Mia’s Math Adventure
March 15th, 2008 at 10:49 pm
The Monster Lab looks like a lot of fun. I know my toddler would even get a kick out of playing around with photos. The reading program looks great. A lot better than the ones we’ve checked out at the library that are 4 years old and have really hokey looking graphics!
March 16th, 2008 at 3:54 am
Mia’s Just In Time sounds like a fun math program. Thanks for the chance to win.
March 16th, 2008 at 6:17 am
would love Miss Spider Scavenger Hunt…thanks
March 16th, 2008 at 6:29 am
I love educational games. The Monster Lab looks like fun.
March 16th, 2008 at 6:33 am
Miss spider scavenger hunt- we love the books!
March 16th, 2008 at 6:55 am
Mia’s Science Adventure
March 16th, 2008 at 7:13 am
Miss Spider’s Scavenger Hunt looks great!
March 16th, 2008 at 8:09 am
Miss Spider scavenger hunt looks great!
March 16th, 2008 at 8:15 am
The Miss Spider Scavenger Hunt looks like a lot of fun.
March 16th, 2008 at 8:31 am
Strawberry shortcake
March 16th, 2008 at 8:49 am
The Creatures games look really cool!
March 16th, 2008 at 9:01 am
Mia’s Click & Create looks great for my daughter
March 16th, 2008 at 9:17 am
OOh Miss Spider! I might play with this myself while my daughter is sleeping! heehee!
March 16th, 2008 at 9:34 am
Miss Spider scavenger hunt is my fav.
March 16th, 2008 at 10:43 am
Mia’s Science Adventure
March 16th, 2008 at 10:44 am
I think my girls would benefit from “Mia’s Math Adventure”. What a great site!
March 16th, 2008 at 11:44 am
I am home-schooling so any of the products would be great. I would choose Mia’s Math Adventure.
March 16th, 2008 at 12:15 pm
the spider thing looks interesting
March 16th, 2008 at 1:07 pm
Miss Spider Scavenger Hunt looks great!
Thanks so much!
March 16th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
Click and Create with Mia looks great!
March 16th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
Miss Spider Scavenger Hunt and the reading one seem great.
March 16th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
My kids like both Miss Spider and treasure hunts, so they would like this one. They love computer games!!
March 16th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
Probably monster lab
Please enter me!! Thank you!!
March 16th, 2008 at 2:47 pm
Didi & Ditto : First Grade appeals to me as my son is in Kindergarten and already knows his K and 1st Grade words, as well as many math concepts. Combining learning with FUN is important in motivating young minds!
March 16th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
Ms spider is always a winner in my book!
March 16th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
I like the Miss Spider Scavenger Hunt.
March 16th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
The Wolf King looks great!
March 16th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
The math dvd looks great.
March 16th, 2008 at 5:02 pm
Miss Spider scavenger hunt, thanks for the contest
March 16th, 2008 at 5:02 pm
Wow !!! so many to choose from and they all sound great… but if i had to choose.. then Miss spider’s scaveger Hunt..
March 16th, 2008 at 5:02 pm
Mia - Reading for my daughter!
March 16th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
Didi & Ditto: Kindergarten Looks Great!
March 16th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
The Monster Lab looks like of fun!! I also blogged about the game. Thanks.
March 16th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
Graphic Tablet with FashionMaker
March 16th, 2008 at 6:56 pm
SCIENCE ADVENTURE
March 16th, 2008 at 7:37 pm
anything with Miss Spidey
March 16th, 2008 at 8:40 pm
All are great but I like Mia’s Math Adventure…
Thank You for the contest…
March 16th, 2008 at 8:42 pm
I’m a miss spider’s sunny patch fan!
March 16th, 2008 at 8:55 pm
I like the EazySpeak.
March 16th, 2008 at 9:25 pm
Monster Lab looks great!
March 16th, 2008 at 9:56 pm
Strawberry Shortcake and her Berry Best Friends, my girls love playing with my old dolls
March 16th, 2008 at 10:16 pm
Monster Lab
March 16th, 2008 at 11:45 pm
Strawberry shortcake
March 16th, 2008 at 11:46 pm
I know I’m a copy-cat, but I have to agree with everyone who loves the Miss Spider Scavenger Hunt - it looks awesome! Thank you so much for the opportunity! Take care and God Bless
:o)
March 17th, 2008 at 1:52 am
I’d love the Kidnap Kaper and the one you are giving away for reading!
March 17th, 2008 at 1:57 am
Monster Lab looks like a lot of fun! Thanks for the chance to win!
March 17th, 2008 at 3:13 am
I am interested in the Didi Gift Box.
March 17th, 2008 at 4:00 am
I likethe Mia’s Science Adventure!
March 17th, 2008 at 4:28 am
Monster Lab
March 17th, 2008 at 5:43 am
Didi & Ditto : Kindergarten - looks like a great program. thanks for the chance.
March 17th, 2008 at 5:47 am
I’d be into Easy Speak Espagnol for my older daughter.
March 17th, 2008 at 5:57 am
I like the Didi & Ditto : Kindergarten one.
March 17th, 2008 at 6:33 am
The Ms. Spider Scavenger hunt looks cool!
March 17th, 2008 at 7:05 am
without a doubt..scavenger hunt..nice show…great prize
March 17th, 2008 at 7:33 am
Miss Spider’s Scavenger hunt is a winner.
March 17th, 2008 at 7:36 am
wow, like them all, but the gift set looks especially cool, also Mia’s click and create
March 17th, 2008 at 7:38 am
I’m a science guy, so Mia’s science adventure would be fun for my child
March 17th, 2008 at 7:57 am
miss spider looks cute
March 17th, 2008 at 7:59 am
I think my daughter would love Miss Spider The Scavenger Hunt. It’s one of her favorite shows.
March 17th, 2008 at 7:59 am
My daughter would like Strawberry Shortcake and her Berry Best Friends
March 17th, 2008 at 8:02 am
This looks great, the characters are so cute, I know my son would really enjoy playing and learning with this. I also liked the Didi and Ditto Kindergarten.
March 17th, 2008 at 8:15 am
Strawberry Shortcake 3-6
carissaad at gmail dot com
March 17th, 2008 at 8:25 am
monster lab looks very interesting
March 17th, 2008 at 8:43 am
My son would love the Digital Camera with monster lab! Thanks for the opportunity to win!
March 17th, 2008 at 9:21 am
I like Didi & Ditto : Kindergarten too. Thanks!
March 17th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
Monster Lab