SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif., Dec. 11, 1996:
McGraw-Hill Home Interactive (MHHI) announced today that its new line of children's CD-ROM titles has been recognized for their outstanding quality and entertainment value by The National Parenting Center, The Family Channel and ComputEd Learning Lab. Dr. Sulfur's Night Lab™, The Fennels Figure Math™ and Pony Express Rider™ have garnered The Family Channel's prestigious "Seal of Quality" award that recognizes quality entertainment products for the entire family. Pyramid: Challenge of the Pharaoh's Dream™ and Pony Express Rider received The National Parenting Center's "Seal of approval," which recognizes products of superb design and quality. Pony Express Rider also was awarded ComputED Learning Lab's "Best Children's Educational Software Award" (BESSIE).

"We are honored that these prestigious organizations have recognized our commitment to producing quality education products," said Bill Nisen, president of MHHI. "We look forward to exceeding our customers' expectations in future MHHI titles."

According to The Family Channel, the Seal of Quality is awarded to products "that can be enjoyed by the entire family and offer entertaining, enriching and enduring value with content that is wholesome and positive in nature." MHHI's titles were put through an extensive review process by an independent panel of judges that screens, reviews and offers their recommendations about CD-ROMs, books, videos, music, on-line services and live entertainment. The Fennels Figure Math will be highlighted in the "Life Section" of USA Today on December 13. The other MHHI titles receiving this honor were featured in prior issues of the publication. Additionally, Pony Express Rider was recently featured as the "CD-ROM Pick of the Week" on The Family Channel's "Home & Family" show.

The National Parenting Center Seal of Approval is given to products that have the highest level of appeal, sturdiness, interactive stimulation and quality. Pyramid: Challenge of the Pharaoh's Dream and Pony Express Rider were submitted to a product testing division run by independent testers including parents, educators, children and National Parenting Center experts. During the eight-week multi-step testing process, testers were encouraged to play with, read about and observe children's reactions to MHHI's titles. The Seal of Approval award winners are currently featured on The National Parenting Center's Web site (www.tnpc.com).

ComputED Learning Lab's BESSIE Award highlighted Pony Express Rider as the best social studies CD-ROM title for the upper elementary school age range. ComputED is a leading computer education facility for children and adults. The BESSIEs recognize innovative and content-rich programs appropriate for family purchase on the retail market. Titles were judged on ease of use and installation, curriculum inclusion, content quality, professionalism and design and the amount of parent/teacher involvement required.

MHHI titles require an IBM PC or compatible, 486/66 or faster or a Pentium processor, 8 MB RAM, 256-color monitor, double-speed CD-ROM drive, Microsoft Windows 95, 8-bit sound card, speakers and a mouse. Pony Express Rider, Dr. Sulfur's Night Lab and Pyramid: Challenge of the Pharaoh's Dream have an estimated street price of $39.95. The Fennels Figure Math has an estimated street price of $29.95. All four titles can be found at computer software retailers and major retail outlets throughout the country or be ordered by calling 1-800-837-4663. The Macintosh versions of Pony Express Rider, Dr. Sulfur's Night Lab and The Fennels Figure Math will be available first quarter 1997.

Established in 1995, McGraw-Hill Home Interactive (www.mhhi.com) is based in South San Francisco, Calif. The division is dedicated to publishing consumer multimedia titles that equally emphasize education and entertainment in core subject areas such as science, math, social studies and language arts. MHHI's titles, targeted to children ages 8 to 14, engage their imaginations and stimulate their minds with entertaining narratives, while making parents comfortable with the educational value and proven experience of McGraw-Hill. To provide a safe and fun environment for kids on the Internet, MHHI developed Fledge.com (www.fledge.com), a customizable and personalized World Wide Web site for kids ages 10 and up.