Storybook Workshop is the first game that truly makes me happy with the unique review system that we’ve implemented on GamerPops. If you judged this game the same way you’d evaluate a normal game, it looks unremarkable. But, if you appreciate this game for doing something different, and beaing geared towards a pre-school audience it becomes a title worth checking out. And since part of my day job focuses on child literacy, this hits a real sweet spot for me.

When I think of Konami, I think of Castlevania or Metal Gear Solid, or the classic Contra series. I certainly don’t think of education titles for toddlers, which is one reason why Konami’s new Storybook Workshop is such a pleasant surprise. Because it’s not just unusual, but it’s also pretty good for children and their families to enjoy together.

In Storybook Workshop, preschoolers can practice their reading skills by reading along with classic stories and recording themselves into the game using the included microphone. Choosing from 16 stories, including works by Hans Christian Andersen, the Brothers Grimm, Aesop as well as traditional stories, children have the choice of having the story read to them, to read it themselves (or have a parent read it), or play back a previous recording of a story. With further readings, the game also introduces questions to enhance the learning and comprehension of rhythm, letters, numbers, shapes and overall comprehension, following the same sort of teaching models used in the classroom.

As they progress through the stories and tackle the added challenges, you and your children can track their progress and success through the in-game report cards. There are also stickers to be earned and collected, and placed in a virtual sticker book.

In addition to the storytelling mode, there are also a couple of extra play options. A particular favorite in our household is the voice paintings. A snail crawls across the screen, leaving a trail of paint corresponding to your child talking into the microphone (you can change colours for them using the Wiimote). Overlay one of several cutouts over the drawings, and you have a colourful picture your child can save and view later. Unfortunately, only one picture can be saved and displayed at a time.

There are also four four songs that can be sung along with, traditional favorites that every child knows: Row, row, row your Boat, Mary had a Little Lamb, Old MacDonald had a Farm and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. The sing-alongs are a nice addition, and a great way to familiarize your child with singing through the microphone, though having only four songs seems a tad skimpy (especially the way its displayed on screen). You can also record your renditions of the songs, and sing along with those recordings.

There’s also a mode in which your child can sample different voice filters, including robots, fairies and giants, though for the most part, they come across as just noise.

In terms of the game’s overall presentation, it’s quite simple, but in a game like this you aren’t expecting top-of-the-line graphics, nor would it be necessary.  The visuals are colourful and cute, with images in the stories and songs presented as static panels, like storybook pages. For a younger audience, that’s actually a pretty good idea, as the static images help keep their focus on the words. For several of the stories, you can actually have your Mii appear as part of the story. It’s a small touch, but a nice detail that shows real effort and thought was put into Storybook Workshop.

One concern I do have is with the microphone. More specifically, the fact that its a corded microphone. During him time playing the game, my daughter alternately wrapped herself up in the microphone cable or nearly yanked the Wii off the table. And she accomplished this while playing with both parents. While it’s definitely something to be aware of for the sake of safety, unless you are letting your preschooler pay the Wii unsupervised, it’s not a dealbreaker.

Storybook Workshop isn’t the most spectacular title on the market, and needless to say, it’s not directed at the hardcore gamer. But if you have a preschooler who has shown an interest in the Wii, it’s an ideal introduction to videogaming, providing colourful and fun gameplay with a great emphasis on literacy and comprehension.

A review copy was provided to GamerPops.