PORTLAND, Ore. – Oct. 20, 2009 – Kidspiration® 3, Inspiration Software®, Inc.’s visual learning software for grades K-5, expands its growing list of honors to the toy industry with today’s announcement that it has been named one of the “10 Best High-Tech Products for 2009” and “100 Best Children’s Products for 2009” by renowned expert “Dr. Toy” (aka Stevanne Auerbach, Ph.d.). With these two additions, the award count for Kidspiration 3 totals 16 since its launch in early 2008.

            Dr. Toy’s seal of approval for children’s products, now in its 19th year, is the only program of its kind offered free to consumers. It is produced by experienced toy industry professional Dr. Toy, a child development specialist who focuses on unique, high-quality, active, creative and educational products. In cooperation with The Institute for Childhood Resources, established in 1975, Dr. Toy provides parents and professionals with timely information on the best toys, products, books, games, DVDs and more. Many parents, teachers and toy buyers use Dr. Toy’s guidance in making selections.

            “We evaluate children’s products based on a complicated set of objective and subjective criteria, asking, ‘Is the product a good value for the price?’ and ‘Is it appropriate for children?’ and, of course, ‘Is it fun?’” said Dr. Auerbach. “The answer was ‘yes’ to those questions for Kidspiration 3. Inspiration Software joins other winning companies with products on the top 2009 lists that are developing cutting-edge products that provide children with the most innovative, developmentally appropriate experiences.”

             Kidspiration supports young learners as they strengthen reading and writing skills, build conceptual understanding in math, and develop thinking skills across the curriculum. In reading and writing, Kidspiration supports students as they think creatively and organize ideas to write, comprehend and communicate successfully. With the new visual math tools in Kidspiration 3, students build a strong mathematical foundation for reasoning and problem-solving by using visual representations to understand math concepts. Across the curriculum, they express and communicate their thinking with pictures, words and numbers.

            “At Inspiration Software, we have always believed that learning should be fun and so it is great to see Kidspiration 3 on Dr. Toy’s list of smart technology toys as well as the top children’s products of the year,” said Mona Westhaver, president and co-founder, Inspiration Software. “We know that parents around the country turn to Dr. Toy for her expertise and are proud to have our visual learning software included on her lists of top products.”

A 30-day free trial of Kidspiration 3 can be downloaded at www.inspiration.com/freetrial. For more information, call 800-877-4292 or visit http://www.inspiration.com/order to find a local education dealer.

About Inspiration Software, Inc.

Recognized as the leader in visual thinking and learning, Inspiration Software, Inc.’s award-winning software tools, Inspiration®, Kidspiration and InspireData®, are based on proven visual learning methodologies that help students think, learn and achieve. With the powerful combination of visual learning and technology, students in grades K-12 learn to clarify thoughts, organize and analyze information, integrate new knowledge and think critically. Founded more than 25 years ago by Donald Helfgott and Mona Westhaver, the company’s visual learning software tools are used today by more than 25 million students and teachers worldwide.

For more information, press only:

Wendy Lienhart. L. Wolfe Communications, 630-920-0182, wlienhart@lwolfe.com

Lisa Wolfe, L. Wolfe Communications, 773-227-1049, lwolfe@lwolfe.com

©2009 Inspiration Software, Inc. All rights reserved. Inspiration Software®, Kidspiration®, InspireData® and Inspiration® are registered trademarks of Inspiration Software, Inc. All other brands are the property of their respective owners.

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