The Goosebumps series of kids books has mutated into a great big, scary empire that includes a very popular TV show. Unfortunately, I don't think there's anything on the Web site that true Goosebumps fans don't already know--or want to know. You'll find titles of all of the books and TV episodes and some plot synopses to help pique your interest. But much of the site is comprised of fairly boring statistics, and most kids don't really care how many other kids write to R.L. Stine. A bright spot of the site could be fan club info, but you have to write in (via snail mail!) for details. - Dorrit Tulane Walsh
Friendly ol' Booster Rooster welcomes visitors to this kids section of the Michigan Department of Agriculture site. The topics, which naturally focus on agriculture, make for a surprisingly interesting read. There are a couple of games and quizzes, lists of state-wide agricultural events, and accessible articles about things such as packing a safe lunch, growing and processing crops in Mich., and raising farm animals. Also included are stories written from a kid's point of view that describe what it's like living on a working farm in the '90s. Colorful graphics and easy navigation round out this fun place for kids of all backgrounds. - Dorrit Tulane Walsh
Kids who actually listen to the radio (you remember, the box with sound but no pictures) may already be familiar with this weekly show, which follows a group of enterprising young science lovers solving mysteries and going on adventures. Everything worth knowing about the Super Crew is here, including summaries of current and past shows, descriptions of all eight characters, and an audio archive of hands-on experiments--fun science activities kids can easily concoct at home. A great added bonus is Sci-Sleuths, which features stories about scientists in all disciplines, from robotic engineer to art chemist. - Dorrit Tulane Walsh
Don't be fooled into thinking actual trolls live on Planet Troll, because they don't--it's just the name of a publisher/distributor of children's books. And although Planet Troll doesn't actually come out and say it, the main purpose of its site is to sell books; luckily, the company offers a good selection and you can order online. There are a few kids activities here, but they're pretty lame, such as a "spooky" section, where the highlight is listening to the oldest living ghoul, Grampa Munster, read selections from the popular Deadtime books. The sections for parents and teachers are also ho-hum, although the Teachers section does contain some interesting tips for handling K-6th graders. - Dorrit Tulane Walsh
In an apparent effort to keep this online science exhibit accessible tokids, Philadelphia's Franklin Institute Science Museum fails to provide anymeaningful content whatsoever. The site's cleanly designed, accessible interface is a refreshing change from most of the clutter on the Web, but it's wasted on this shallow scientific exploration. Five departments, updated monthly, provide small amounts of dully presented information, as well as links to better sites, which visitors will most likely follow. Even a regular feature by a local student fails to provide much appeal. Any Web-savvy kid out there will surf past these pages in a blink. - Katherine Clary Alward
If you're planning a trip to Indianapolis and want to see the self-proclaimed "world's largest children's museum," then by all means give this site a visit. However, if you're looking for plenty of online content and an innovative approach, you may be disappointed. You'll find plenty of maps, calendars, and schedules for the museum itself, which sounds like a great place to visit ... if you happen to be in Indianapolis. The pages devoted to current exhibits offer only enough information to whet your appetite. The highlight of this uninspired site is The Science Activities section, which kids can use to explore various fields of science, ranging from Chemistry to Entomology. - Katherine Clary Alward
Scroll to the bottom of this deceptively cute site, and you'll discoverthe sordid truth about Loopy's existence. "The objective of Loopy is togain consumer insights from children ages 12 - 19, to enable us to createproducts that they can use as well as improve how we communicate to them."I guess I should give Northlich Stolley LaWarre, the advertising companybehind Loopy, credit for at least clearly announcing its intent, but Icouldn't help but leave with a bitter taste in my mouth. Perhaps I'm beinga Web snob, a purist, but I wince at the thought of an entire site dedicated to pursuing the spending dollars of young America. - Katherine Clary Alward
It's easy to point out the issues facing today's young women--low self-esteem, limited exposure to high-tech career opportunities, and a host of others--but what does it take to tackle these problems? Girls Incorporated, a 50-year-old organization dedicated to improving the lives of American girls, faces this challenge head-on. The site begins with the Girls' Bill of Rights, outlining the opportunities every girl should have, and moves on to discuss the programs created to develop girls' athletic, career, and personal skills. Find a chapter near you, or find out how to start your own. It's a great site that gets you inspired and a great organization to get involved with. - Katherine Clary Alward
The concept behind Kid's Window--bringing Japanese news and culture to anyone with a browser who's interested--is appealing, but unfortunately the execution doesn't fulfill the promise. Overlooking crawling downloads, a convoluted interface, and page after page of blinking text, the site still lacks focus. Why the pages exist or why you should care is never explained, so you'll find yourself fumbling through the Library, School, Restaurant, and Gallery just wondering what you're doing there. One neglected gem--the reading library, where you can choose to hear a story read in either Japanese or English--provides a glimmer of the promise Kid's Window holds. - Katherine Clary Alward