Wonderland Created By Fisher-Price And Compaq Goes Way Beyond Alice's
Looking Glass

HOUSTON, January 4, 1996 -- Scat Cheshire Cat! Move over Jabberwocky! By
the summer of 1996, preschoolers in the US will be able to explore an
entirely new wonderland created by Compaq Computer Corporation and
Fisher-Price. The result of this innovative partnership is the Wonder
Tools line of preschool products for use with Windows-based multimedia
PCs. Unveiled at the 1996 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas,
the complete line of children's and family computer products will allow
youngsters, ages 3-7, to discover a variety of imaginative places to
learn, create, explore and play.

The initial line of Wonder Tools products includes three product categories
and is scheduled to ship in summer 1996. The new interactive computer
toys, peripherals and software are poised to redefine computer- oriented
play and learning for the youngest users in the family.

Wonder Tools Cruiser is a brightly colored driving-themed toy that allows
children to control under-sea, land, and space software adventures. One of
the first truly integrated and interactive computer toys, the Wonder Tools
Cruiser works in tandem with its specially designed software to create a
stimulating environment for kids. Wonder Tools Keyboard is an easy-to-use,
preschool-appropriate and friendly keyboard that uses a combination of
hardware and software to help children interact with the computer. A
complete line of Wonder Tools children's and family-oriented software will
also be developed. The children's titles are designed specifically for
kids to stimulate play and learning; the family-oriented software is
designed to help parents with topics related to families and raising
children.

WONDER TOOLS CRUISER

Kids can literally get in the driver's seat behind the brightly colored
driving console and play with the specially designed software of the
Wonder Tools Cruiser, Wonder Tools' flagship product for 1996. Offering a
totally interactive way for preschoolers to play and learn on the
multimedia home PC, the Wonder Tools Cruiser features opportunities and
experiences that challenge 3-7 year-olds by putting them in charge of
virtually unlimited choices. The Wonder Tools Cruiser combines hardware
and software to create a totally interactive experience, replacing the
point-and-click approach of existing children's software, and allowing
children to steer, honk and throttle their way through exciting and
animated worlds.

Wonder Tools Cruiser features various knobs and buttons for navigating
through a series of software adventures. It includes one software program
that allows children to navigate through adventures on land, in space and
under the sea. Children can interact with fascinating characters to make
music, unscramble alphabet picture puzzles, learn to manipulate shapes in
a space ship scrap yard and even invent and assemble toys. The driving
simulation puts kids in charge of their own adventure as they improve
memory, develop fine motor skills, sharpen problem solving skills and
fine-tune decision making.

The first series of Wonder Tools Cruiser software titles takes preschoolers
under the sea, piloting the Wonder Tools Cruiser through an ocean of
activities. With a crew of sea characters like Clump the Grump (the grumpy
clam) and SeaCelia (the musical seahorse), youngsters can learn about
rhythm and tempo, colors and patterns, matching and symmetry, sea life
science and environmental awareness, and, of course, directional skills
and navigation. Additional Wonder Tools Cruiser land- and space-based
adventures will also be available.

WONDER TOOLS KEYBOARD

Little fingers have a big advantage when working on the Wonder Tools
Keyboard. Not just a scaled-down, colored-up version of mom and dad's
computer keyboard, Wonder Tools Keyboard has been designed to "make sense"
to 3-7 year-olds and helps acclimate them to a more traditional computing
environment.

Through a unique combination of hardware and software, Wonder Tools
Keyboard provides a way for youngsters to interact with the family
computer at his/her own level. Big, bright letter and number keys make it
easy for little fingers to type. Advanced function keys are tucked away in
a pull-out drawer to lessen confusion. A "finger mouse" makes pointing and
clicking more intuitive. The colorful keyboard can easily be added to any
Windows-compatible home computer and will work with any Windows-based
software title.

Wonder Tools Keyboard comes with software that creates a fun place for kids
to work and play independently with the family PC. The Wonder Tools
Keyboard software converts Windows (either Windows 3.1 or Windows 95) into
a friendly child-appropriate software interface for launching programs,
and a fun toy land with play and learning activities to explore on a
number of different "floors." With the Wonder Tools Keyboard software,
parents also can make specific software programs accessible to their
children, while limiting other software choices available -- protecting
"big people" files from being altered by curious little explorers. A
friendly and smart bear is always available to give kids a hand when they
need help. When other programs are used with the Wonder Tools Keyboard,
four special keyboard buttons provide even more play and learning options
like snapping screen photos, requesting help or printing pictures.

WONDER TOOLS SOFTWARE

Compaq and Fisher-Price are also creating stand-alone interactive software
titles for children and families that can be used with any Windows-based
multimedia PC and keyboard.

Rounding out the preschool PC experience, Wonder Tools also provides
youngsters with the opportunity to explore creative art, storymaking,
ABC's and a variety of other fun and educational topics. These independent
software programs offer more open-ended and interactive activities than
many titles currently on the market. For example, "Cyber Grannies" uses
the wisdom of grandma to guide pre-readers through 26 fully interactive,
themed, 3-D playgrounds where they learn the alphabet and vocabulary.
While play sessions are enhanced with the addition of Wonder Tools
Keyboard, all Wonder Tools software can be used with any Windows-based,
multimedia home computer.

The Fisher-Price+Compaq Wonder Tools line is a complete family of computing
products for preschool children and their families. Jointly developed,
researched, tested, marketed and sold, Wonder Tools products are expected
to offer the best available integration of computer tools that redefine
play and stimulate learning. The fun-packed, easy to set up and use
computer products will provide a smart start for today's diverse family
and preschooler needs. All Wonder Tools toys, peripherals and software
will be backed by comprehensive customer support and will be available at
toy and computer retail locations nationwide this summer.

Compaq Computer Corporation is the world's largest supplier of personal
computers. Fisher-Price, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mattel, Inc.
and a leading manufacturer of toys and children's products.
 
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