Canadian Family On-Line

Alison Mews is co-ordinator of the Centre for Instructional Services at
The Memorial University of Newfoundland.

This book is designed “to provide in easy-to-understand language a
myriad of Internet resources that parents can explore with their
children.” The process of getting connected is demystified through the
use of nontechnical terms and illustrative computer pages. Boxes and
sidebars provide definitions, helpful tips, and cautionary notes. The
bulk of the book presents what the author considers to be superior Web
sites. The division of the Web sites according to age group makes it
easy for parents to select appropriate sites to explore with their
children. In addition to chapters on Net-proofing kids, planning family
vacations, accessing multimedia, and playing interactive games, there is
an appendix devoted to the two most popular Web browsers, Netscape and
Mosaic. Datedness is a problem: only half of the 16 sites recommended
for preschoolers were retrievable; the others had been moved or
discontinued, or were otherwise unavailable. The author never entertains
such a possibility, which is in keeping with his unreserved enthusiasm
for the Internet. Readers will encounter some interesting and
informative sites, but some frustration as well.