What is Toy Story Animated StoryBook?

Our family didn't expect to be impressed by the Toy Story Animated StoryBook, the interactive version of the computer-generated movie. Sure, the story is clever, but we expect no less from the folks at Disney. And with the wizards at Pixar creating them, is it any wonder the graphics are advanced. But even in the face of such lofty expectations, Disney has done a great job, setting a high standard for interactive stories.

Geared to three- to nine-year-olds, Toy Story's format is similar to many kids’ computer books. Children can have the book read to them in a linear fashion, or they can interact with the story and play its games.

The Put-Away Game is the best activity in the book. Kids put toys in their proper places by matching shadows, playing warmer-colder, or following Woody's spoken directions. Young children are familiar with these games, and spoken clues — read by the movie's stars — are reasonably precise. Incidental sounds throughout the story are outstanding, just like in the movie.

Many of the interactive segments take ideas from the movie and make them even better. As players stretch Slinky Dog out and watch him snap back, the 3-D perspective is fantastic. Likewise, kids can redecorate Andy's room and watch as it morphs from a Woody theme to a Buzz theme while Woody complains.

In the Escape Plan, each toy imagines it's part of a scheme to break out into the world. Scenes appear in the characters' “thought bubbles,” and kids can try out various challenging scenarios. During the Maze Game, kids operate Woody and Buzz by remote control, avoiding Sid's dog, Scud, and trying to catch the moving van. It's standard game fare, but it's fun.

Not all of the modules are right on target, though. Visual clues are a little difficult to follow in Woody’s Scheme, where Woody asks kids to help develop a Rube Goldberg-esque sequence to eliminate Buzz from his life. The Crane Gamebased on the arcade machine where you manipulate a claw to grab a toy —incorporates color matching and counting. It's fun for younger players, but it's a good thing each level changes after a few rounds.

The Last Word Not surprisingly, Toy Story Animated Story Book's biggest appeal is its connection to the movie. The 3-D imaging is superb for a children's edutainment package. Our kids enjoyed all the interactive segments, and we were pleased to find the games challenged our youngsters' developing thought processes while they entertained.

Minnick, Dave; Minnick, Robin. (September 1996). Toy Story Animated StoryBook. Macworld. (pg. 94).

Download Toy Story Animated StoryBook for Mac

Architecture

68K + PPC (FAT)

System Requirements

From Mac OS 7.1 up to Mac OS 9.2

Compatibility notes

68040 processor
System 7.1 or later
8 MB RAM (16 MB RAM Power Mac)
13" or larger monitor, 256 colors at 640 x 480 resolution or higher
Virtual Memory OFF

Emulating this? It could probably run under: Basilisk II