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Educational: N/A
Overall Design: 4.8
Ease of Use: 4.5
(4.0 = good, 4.5 = very
good, 5.0 = excellent, N/A = not applicable)
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Program Description Commentary Who Is This Program For
Why We Selected This Program Computer Requirements
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Orly Draw a Story is a unique combination of a story telling and story creating program with a visual arts program, that is all about creating stories with pictures.
You are introduced to a young girl, named Orly in her homeland of Jamaica. Orly is a playful character who loves to tell stories. As she tells her stories (4 stories in all), you are invited to create pictures that go with various parts of the story. The pictures you create can be either created from scratch using the on screen art centre or using templates that allow you to construct a visual scene.
The people and objects you draw actually come to life (talk and move in the case of people) and are immediately incorporated into the story. The animated eyes and mouth of the character you are making a drawing around (see center right) are actually responding to your drawing movements. This is a very unique aspect of the program's design, and has to be seen on the screen to be fully appreciated.
Anything you draw becomes immediately incorporated in the story. So as the story progresses you are adding to the host of characters in the story. If you like what you have done by the end of the story, you can save the story, change it later if you want, and replay the story anytime at the "Junkyard Drive-In Theatre" for your own enjoyment or for "show and tell" .
The program also has a Story Book Maker which allows you to write your own stories and add your own visual images and music to complement the story you have created.
The program provides all kind of story starters to get you going on creating your own story. These stories can be saved as well as printed off. The program also has a "doodle pad" where you can practice and develop your drawing skills.
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"I really liked Orly. She is so much fun to listen to, the way she talks and her stories." Mary age 7
" I couldn't believe it when I was drawing the picture, and the eyes were actually following what I was drawing and then talking. It was great."- Suzanne, age 10
"We have had Orly for over two years and still play with it." - Rachel, age 9
If you have a child who loves bedtime stories and likes drawing pictures, this will encourage your child to take the first step of creating pictures with words on his or her own and then progressing to creating full stories with both narrative and pictures together. This program can be highly engaging for boys and girls alike, but with the female character of Orly and the often found interest among young girls to draw, it is tailor made for many young girls.
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In all the software programs we have seen you would be hard pressed to find a more engaging character than Orly. We have watched many children delight in listening to her with her lovely Caribbean accent and her homespun stories and enjoy creating the pictures to go with the stories.
The movement of the animated eyes watching what you are drawing as you are drawing is quite unique. We were amazed at how this worked when we first saw this. It really makes you feel that there is someone watching you as you are drawing.
The opportunity for the child to create pictures that are directly incorporated into the story as it goes along, gives the child a real direct sense of involvement. What this program does could only be done through the software medium and it is very impressive.
Orly Draw a Story is a great program if you want to stimulate the creative imagination and the desire to write, as well as foster a child's interest in visual art. Among all the software we have ever seen, this is one of the all time great programs.
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Pricing and Online Ordering
(or call toll free -1-800-250-9229 )
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Platform: Macintosh®, CPU : 68040 or better, RAM : 8MB, Hard Drive: 80MB, Video : Super VGA (640x480x256color) CD-ROM: 2X or better,
Platform: PowerMac™: CPU : 68040 or betterRAM : 8MB, Hard Drive: 20MB,Video : Super VGA, (640x480x256 color), CD-ROM: 2X or better
Platform: Windows® 3.1, , CPU : 486/66Mhz or better, RAM : 16MB, Hard Drive: 80MB, Video : Super VGA (640x480x256color), CD-ROM: 2X or better, Sound : Windows compliant sound device
Platform: Windows® 95/98 ,CPU : 486/66Mhz or better, RAM : 16MB, Hard Drive: 80MB, Video : Super VGA (640x480x256 color) CD-ROM: 2X or better, Sound : Windows compliant sound device.
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or to see another art programme
Kid Pix Studio Deluxe - ages 4-12
Disney Magic Artist Studio - ages 4-12
Crayola Make a Masterpeice - ages 5-12
Flying Colors 2 - ages 8 and up
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