The Pantagraph from Bloomington, Illinois • Page 30

The Pantagraph U2 Tuesday, August 20, 1996 Popular Mercer Mayer children's books move to CD-ROMS By JAMES DERK Scripps Howard News Service A whole generation of parents are lucky personal computers weren't around when Mercer Mayer was growing up. He would have become something of a computer nerd instead of one of America's most cherished authors of children's books. His 250 "or so" books have sold more than 55 million copies worldwide, his "Little Critter" character becoming a nighttime reading ritual for millions of parents and children. "If they'd had computers when I was 10 who knows what I would be doing now," Mayer says. What he is doing is trying to marry two technologies, the printed book and the computer, into quality entertainment and education for children.

His first effort, a CD-ROM called "Just Grandma and Me," became one of the best-selling CDs for children on its release in 1993. The marching orders for the new company were to make sure the CD-ROMs maintain the qualities of the Little Critter books. "And we had to top 'Just Grandma and Me' or at least be as good," he says. "That wasn't easy." One addition to Mayer's CD-ROMs over "Just Grandma and Me" are 22-minute videos of the book also included on the disc. It gives children yet another option of being involved with the story, he says.

As an author he's not terribly worried about the increasing march of technology causing children to turn away from books to -instead embrace their Super VGA color moftj IT itors. a "It seems to me the computer revolution has created more paper," he says. "Everyone wants a hard copy of everything. You put it on a screen and they print it out Everyone wants to see it on screen but then have a copy to carry around." "It was kind of a surprise," he says of the disc's success. That CD was published by Living Books, part of software giant Broderbund.

Not having his hand in the day-to-day creative process of that work turned Mayer on to the idea of doing CD-ROMs himself. "I did a lot of approvals," he says of that title. Now he and a partner, John Sansevere, have formed their own company to develop Mayer's animated storybooks. The firm, Big Tuna New Media, has released "Just Me and My Dad," a captivating story of a child going camping with his father. "Just Me and My Mom" will follow this fall.

Mayer is an unlikely computer nerd. Born in Litte Rock, he says he spent his early childhood "hunting lizards, snakes and frogs" in nearby swamps. His family moved to Hawaii when he was in his teens and it was there, while studying at the Honolulu Acade my of Arts, he discovered his talent for illustration. After brief ventures into the business world, including a stint selling vacuum cleaners door-to-door, he sold an idea for a simple picture book to a New York publisher. "A Boy, a Dog and a Frog" was a success and his career was launched in the right direction.

"But now everything has changed," he says in an interview from his Connecticut home. "Publishing especially has changed so rapidly. All of the publishing houses have been bought up. When I started there were like 100 publishers in New York. Now everyone's pulled together in some media umbrella company.

Mayer's new company has eight people working in a small red barn to merge the storybook with the computer. They're not Microsoft, but they have Mayer's extensive library, creative genius and Little Critter, the character Mayer dreamed up in 1974 that spawned most of his books. Now Little Critter is showing up on computers in addition to bookshelves. The discs cost about $35 and work on either Windows or Macintosh computers. "The technology in computers is now where I wanted it to be in 1982," he says.

"It's just amazing to me what can be done. It still amazes me to see it all come together." A storybook on CD-ROM is hard to explain; it's interactive, meaning the child plays with the book while it is being read. In Mayer's new book, the child can opt to have the story read to them straight through. Or, in a "Play with me" mode, the story will pause after each page, allowing the child to use a mouse to click on items on the page. Click on a rock, it might grow a face and dance; a fence turns into a xylophone; a dolphin shows up in the bathtub.

"Many of our ideas are silly and crazy," Mayer says of the animations. "We usually leave them in anyway." More senior citizens getting connected spring and summer this year, the program filled with 120 older students, leaving a waiting list nearly as long. The Minneapolis SeniorNet Learning Center, housed at Minneapolis Community and Technical College, is one of 85 in a national network begun 10 years ago in San Francisco. Nationally, SeniorNet includes more than 320,000 members age 55 and older who meet on the organization's Internet home page or exchange ideas and support in scores of online SeniorNet interest groups. Kreminski said she considers herself "still pretty green at this computer stuff," although with the next breath she talks about her plan to open her computer and "plug in another eight megabites or so of RAM" to make the computer faster they start learning, when they can talk about computers with their grandkids.

It helps people stay independent longer." This month Kreminski upgraded her America Online membership so she can be online even more. She's in e-mail contact daily with her 79-year-old sister in New York, and several times a week with other siblings and with her daughter in Maryland. She also joined the Minnetonka Seniors Computer Interest Group, which provides advice and kindred souls, and she thinks she knows enough now so that computer classes would help. Demand for computer classes tailored for older people has blossomed in the past year. When the University of St.

Thomas launched Seniors Going On-Line in By WARREN WOLFE Scripps Howard News Service Lillian Kreminski of Minnetonka, communicates with her 7-year-old grandson. Cole Montgomery of nearby Maple Grove, by e-mail. "The computer has opened up a completely new, fascinating area for us to connect," said Kreminski, a retired secretary who bought her personal computer in January. "Sometimes I get so involved I forget to eat." Across America, thousands of seniors are firing up their home computers to connect with distant relatives, track ancestral roots, write letters, make greeting cards, keep track of finances and surf the Internet Growing more powerful and less costly by the month, computers are popping up in nursing homes, senior centers, senior computer clubs and classes aimed at older people. Most seniors are self-taught, and many use their computers primarily to write letters.

But some are amazed at their new skills. Clifford Chatterton, 87, who lives in an assisted-living apartment in Minneapolis, reluctantly accepted his son's hand-me-down computer five years ago. But before long, he bought a new one that was more powerful. "I was perfectly dumb and happy until he gave me that computer," Chatterton growled in mock frustration. "I didn't care about e-mail and all that stuff.

But my family looks at me and they say, 'Jeepers, he's old, but he's not too stupid. We got to get him Next thing I know, I'm a computer nut. Makes them feel good to know the old man is checking in with them," he said. "The truth is, it makes me feel good, too." Once you have a computer with a modem, getting into the Internet requires that you subscribe to an online service such as CompuServe or America Online, or buy unlimited Internet access from a local company. Either way typically costs a monthly fee of at least $10.

Sending electronic mail is as simple as typing your letter and pushing a button. The e-mail is sent almost instantly, and there is no long-distance charge because your computer is using a local phone line to connect to the Internet The Rev. Delton Krueger, 67, considered the computer an efficient typewriter when he first used one in 1981 as minister at Portland Avenue Methodist Church in Bloomington, Minn. But three years ago he went online. Now retired and immersed in community and church activities, he spends an hour or two a day on the computer with family, friends and colleagues from Bloomington to Singapore and updating his home page.

"Anybody can do this if you're willing to be embarrassed by asking dumb questions and appearing to be ignorant," Krueger said. "With the computer, your only limitation is your imagination." Edie Bluske of Minneapolis has met many people through her Internet provider, America Online. But she was touched most by Kelly, a 16-year-old girl she met in an online interest group about dogs. The two exchanged electronic notes every few days for nine months. Kelly never gave her full name or mentioned that she was very ill.

On Memorial Day, Bluske, 55, received an e-mail note from Kelly's sister saying Kelly had died. "I never found out who Kelly was or where she lived," Bluske said. "I wish there was some way her family could know how much Kelly's friendship meant. It was amazing to share so much without ever meeting. I never knew my computer could bring me such a blessing." About 11 percent of Americans 60 and older have computers.

That's about 50 percent below the national average, but seniors are catching up, the industry magazine Computer Intelligence reported recently. Karen Shrum, who plans to teach community college computer courses for senior citizens, said, "There's this sense of empowerment when DHave You Been Putting Off I A I HAVE IT FIXED NOW! IHMIIIMf EtHHttl aHjfMCI tm FREE Exam Consultation with Coupon Expires: 10196 Good Insurance Rates for Good Grades Are you for a comprehensive approach to weight management Brian Thede 662-0202 The Country Companies offer auto insurance discounts for high school and college students who maintain a or better average. Ask for details on all our money-saving discounts. Call me to see if you qualify. Policies issued by Countrv Mimw.

Insurance Company Bloomington, IL Introducing Lora Patterson Creative Cuts is happy to welcome Lora to our staff. She has 4 years styling experience in all hair types, specializing in color. Lora invites former new clients to call her for an appointment at 829-5511. CREATIVE CUTS HAIRSTYLING 813 E. Grove, Bloomington j- I IJtr New Direction a medically supervised program for those with more than 40 to lose PHENFEN a carefully monitored medication program in conjunction with the University of Wisconsin OUTLOOK a food plan for those with less than 40tt to lose Professional staff of behavioral, nutritional, exercise counselors Medical supervision Weekly group support sessions The New Direction Center 716 E.

Empire, Suite Bloomington Call 829-3944 for a free consult in cooperation with BroMenn Healthcare Insurance Group 1998 CC Stfvica. Int WW- LINCOLN COULCj at Normal Good Beginning WALK-IN REGISTRATION Through August 23 p.m.' Saturday, August 10, 17 Evenings August 7, 13, 15 LATE REGISTRATION August 26-29 With permission of instructor and $25.00 late charge Register Now Classes Start August 19 CERTIFICATES Word Processing Specialist Medical Transcription Legal Transcription Managerial Training Travel Tourism Clerical Training DEGREES Associate in Arts Small Business Administration Medical Secretarial Science Legal Secretarial Science Travel Tourism Office Technology Retail Marketing Legal Assisting Law Enforcement BU111 Typewrtingfteyboardingl 3M EN115 Business Writing 3TTH PM BU112 TypewritingKeyboarding II 3MW AM Bin 12 TypewritingKeyboarding II 3M PM HEALTH BU112 TypewritingKeyboarding II 3M HE101 Health Awareness 2M BU211 TypewritinnKevboarding II 3TTH HE101 Health Awareness 2TH BU211 TyftiDf IPyboarding III 3M PM BU211 Keyboarding III Legal 3 TTH AM HISTORY BU211 Keyboajlif. Legal 3M HI101 Western Civilization I 3MW BU211 KeyToardinolll Medical 3 TTH HI101 WgyOftmnzalion I 3TTH BU211 K0IP-Medical 3M PM HI211 Life ot Lincoln Civil War 3MW PM BU215 Machine Transcription -Legal 3TTH BU215 Machine Transcription -Legal PM HUMANITIES BU216 Machine Transcription -Legal PM HM107 American Studies I 3MW PM BU216 Machine Transcription -Legal 3TTH AM BU169 Intro, to Internet MW PM MATHEMATICS BU218 Investments Investing TH PM MT100 Introduction to Mathematics 3M-TH PM BLOT Principles of Advertising 3 TBA TBA MT100 Introduction to Mathematics 3MW PM BU223 Principles of Retailing 3 TBA TBA MT102 Elementary Statistics 3M-TH AM BU123 Bookkeeping I 3F MT107 Basic Concepts ol Mathematics 3M-TH PM BU214 Machine Transcription 3TTH MT120 Finite Mathematics 4M-TH BU214 Machine Transcription PM MT103 College Algebra 3M-TH BU221 Office Practice 3TTH AM MT103 CcleBOgeMa 3M-TH PM MT101 Intermediate Algebra 4M-TH PM CHEMISTRY MT101 Intermediate Algebra 4MW PM CH101 Fundamentals of Chemistry 4TTH MUSIC COMPUTER SCIENCE MU116 Music Appreciation 3 MW PM CS100 Introduction to Microcomputers 3F MU140 Intro, to Music Theatre 3TTH CS100 Introduction to Microcomputers 3W PM MU120 Private Piano 1 TBA CS100 Introduction to Microcomputers 3 MW AM MU122 Private Voice 1 TBA CS115 Business Apps.Microcomputer 3TH CS135 Intro, to Desktop Publishing 3TTH PM PHILOSOPHY CS235 Advanced Desktop Publishing 3TTH PL103 Introduction to Philosophy 3MW SOCIOLOGY SO101 Introduction to Sociology 3TTH SO101 Introduction toSociology TTH PM SO101 lntriffllreociology 3MW AM 50202 Modem Social Problems 3TTH PM 50203 Sociology of the Family 3MW AM SO203 Sociology ol the Family 3 TTH PM SPANISH SN101 Spanish I 4 MW 2:204:20 PM SN101 Spanishl 4TTH SN102 Spanish II 4MW 2:204:20 PM SN102 Spanish II 4TTH 2:204:20 PM SPEECH SP101 FumpBOil Speech 3MW PM SP101 Speech 3MW PM SP101 Fundamentals of Speech 3T PM SP101 Fundamentals of Speech MW PM SP109 Business Communication 3MW 1 1 2:55 PM SP109 BuoSMmmunication 3 MW PM THEATRE TH106 Introduction to Theatre 3TTH PM TRAVEL TS101 Intro, to the Travel Industry 3M-TH PM TS102 Domestic Travel Geography 4M-TH PM TS103 International Travel Geography 4M-TH :30 PM TS104 ReservationsRet Guides 2M-TH PM TS106 Cruise Planning 2M-TH PM ('All classes must be taken together) New Courses 4 FALL 1996 COURSE LISTING AGRI-BUSINESS AB105A AfjmgtiAce ART AR101 AR111 AR121 Basic Drawing Art Appreciation Painting I Painting II AR122 PHYSICAL EDUCATIONRECREATION 4TTH PM PM 3F PM 3TTH PM 3F PM 3F PM 3F PM 1:004:00 PM PM 4TTH AM 2:204:20 PM 4MW PM 4MW TH AM 4TTH PM 5TBA TBA AR133 Drawing II AR221 Painting III AR222 Painting IV BIOLOGY BMOf General Biology PM PM PM PE113 Aerobics 1 TBA 3 MW PE114 Advanced Aerobics 1 TBA 3TTH 3:404:55 PM PE115 Bowling 1F 3W PM PE116 Bowling 1F 3TTH PM PE133 Advanced Golf 1 TBA 3M PM PE121 Fitness Conditioning 1 TBA TTH PM PE121 Fitness Conditioning 1 TBA PE221 Fitness i Conditioning 1 TBA PE221 Fitness Conditioning 1 TBA 3TTH PM PE117 Beginning Golf 1 TBA BI101 General Biology BI106 Environmental Biology BI107 Anatomy and Physiology I BI205 Emergency Medical Training BUSINESS CRIMINOLOGY CR204 Police Law Enf. Practice CR206 Juvenile Delinquency CR206 JuJOency CR110 Intro, to Crim Justice Science CR1 10 Science CR212 Criminalistics CR209 Police Administration ECONOMICS EC107 Principles of Macroeconomics EDUCATION ED1 01 Introduction to Education ED110 Study Skills ED110 Study Skills ENGLISH EN100 Writing Fundamentals EN100 Writing Fundamentals EN100 WgtOMmenlals EN101 Eig0tQositionl EN1 01 English Composition I EN101 English Composition I EN102 English Composition II EN102 English Composition II POLITICAL SCIENCE PO101 American Government PO101 American Government 3TTH 3TTH PM AM 3TTH 1 MW 1 TTH AM PM PM Get the courses you need! LincolnISU course equivalents: AB10S AGRI70 MUI 16 MUS1SI AR10IARTI04 MUI20 MUS135 ARI1IART150 BIIOI BSCI97 MU 122 -MUS 137 BH07BSC181orIlPR18l BU101ACCI3I PEII5HPR1I2 BUI02ACC132 PE133 HPRI 19.02 BU104 MQMIOO POI0lPOS105 BUI05-BEA100 PS 101 PSYI 1 1 BUI66ACC166 PS204 PSYI3I or SOAI3I CH101CHE110andCHEI12 PS208PSYI12orC812l0 CSIO0-ACSI40 REI02HIS27O CSIIS ACCI66orACS150 SOI0I-SOA106 EC107 ECO102 SO202 SOA 107 EN101-ENG101 SN101 F0R1I1.15 EN102ENG130 SNI02 FORI 12.15 EN105 ENGI04 SP101COMII0 ENII5 BEAI40 SP260 COM223 MT102 MQMIOO SPI09 COM227 MTI07 MATI51 THI06 THEI50 MT120 MATI19 CR204 CJS207 MT10I MAT104 PSYCHOLOGY PS101 Introduction to Psychology PS101 PS204 PS204 PS208 AM 3:454:55 PM 5:0015 PM PM 3:304:45 PM Introduction to Psychology Social Psychology SockJ8jrtgy Developmental Psychology 3 MW TTH 3MW 3TTH 3 MW 3TTH BU101A Accounting I 3T PM BU101B 3TTH PM BU101C Accounting I TTH AM BU102A Accounting II PM BU104A Business Economic Statistics 3M-TH AM I BU105A Introduction to Business 3MW PM BU105B Introduction to Business 3M PM BU119A Intro, to Word Processing 3T PM BU119B Intro, to Word Processing 3TTH PM BU121 Data Entry 3F PM i BU203 Principles of Marketing 3 TBA TBA BU205 Principles of Management 3W PM BU206 Business Law I 3MW PM BU206 3MW PM BU106 Business Math 3MW PM BU136 Advanced Word Processing 3T 63O-930PM I BU136 Advanced Word Processing 3TTH PM BU166 Management Information Systems 3TTH BU111 TypewntingKeytXMrtfng I 3MW 8 30-9 45 AM PS208 DevaJgtSA'sychotogy READING RD101 College Reading RD101 College Reading 3TTH 3MW 3TTH 3MW 3TTH TTH 3MW 3TTH 3TTH 3TTH 3MW 3MW 3TTH AM AM PM AM AM AM AM 3:404:55 AM AM AM 3:404:55 PM 5:0015 PM PM 3 MW 3TTH AM PM EN201 American Literature I EN201 AimAtfflfrature I EN211 Studies in Literature RELIGION RE102 Living Religions ol the Work) 3T PM EN220 of American Minorities EN1 05 Introduction to Literature J..