Nikolai's Web Site Uses Animation to Educate

Educational programs created for today's computers are opening doors to new animated figures. Children can use these characters to build their skills and imaginations.

Designed for a series of educational CD-ROMs, the best buddy duo of Nikolai and his orange-shirted feline puppet pal, Neow-Neow, help children while having fun.

On Nikolai's Web site, he and Neow-Neow lead viewers into educational areas that will appeal to 3- to 10-year-olds.

NIKOLAI'S WEB SITE

SITE ADDRESS: www.nikolai.com

CREATOR: H+a (I. Hoffmann and Associates Inc.) of Toronto develops interactive entertainment and educational content available for distribution on CD-ROMs, digital video disk and on line. The H+a collection features more than 85 games produced in more than 10 languages, including the Nikolai Adventure Series.

CREATOR QUOTABLE: "Nikolai.com is truly a family entertainment destination," says Uno Hoffmann, creative director for H+a. "Parents and children can explore engaging activities hosted by two lovable characters that create a 100 percent family-friendly Web experience."

WORD FROM THE WEBWISE: The site continues the series, developed for CD-ROM, and really highlights adventure and learning.

First, stop by Neow-Neow's Newsletter for some fun. In the section, children can enjoy adventure stories and the new comic strip featuring Neow-Neow as a superhero. A personal favorite in this area, Poems With Pizzazz!, features odes and haiku (whose subject often centers on food) written by Nikolai's furry friend.

Because the world is a big place filled with interesting things, Neow-Neow also invites young users on an informative, virtual photo tour of England. Children can click through 10 images that include places such as Stonehenge, Westminster Abbey and Buckingham Palace. Of course Neow-Neow is present in all the photos, including marching along with the Palace Guards. Nikolai must be the photographer.

For preschool and elementary school students, the ABCD's of Learning presents language arts, science, mathematics and art curricula designed to correspond with the child's educational level. For example, the Language Arts area challenges students with activities that hone skills in identifying synonyms and placing items in alphabetical order.

The Bookshelf area invites users to peruse Nikolai's personal collection, read his book reviews, take part in interactive stories that grow with each visitor, read classic stories, learn new jokes or even submit a literary effort for others to enjoy.