This is part of a series of posts looking at virtual worlds targeted toward kids.

It seems appropriate to be writing this review from a vacation beach house that has mezuzos on the door posts, since the virtual world of Shidonni is an Israeli start-up.

The first kid’s virtual world we’ve encountered that runs on Microsoft’s Flash competitor Silverlight (be prepared to download it before playing), it is most unique for the fact that kids get to draw their own virtual animals. We’re not just talking about picking and choosing avatar styles or clothing - Shidonni presents a blank slate for artistic children ages 6-12 to draw an animal and watch it come to life. They also draw the virtual backyard or home their animal lives in, and they draw food and their animal eats it!

In no time at all, my girl had populated the world with a dog and cat which soon had a kitten. Then after I read this post about the easy tutorials, she followed some of them and added a penguin, a turtle and a bird to her menagerie. Next, she started playing games with them and visiting other worlds.

A blogger shot this video of Guy Bendov, head of marketing and business development at Shidonni at Seedcamp Tel-Aviv explaining the virtual world. It’s nice to hear the view from the inside:

The Good

Shidonni has found a unique angle in a field that is rather glutted. I like the creativity it fosters by allowing kids to really build their world. My girl thought it sounded a bit boring when I first mentioned it to her after reading about it in Virtual World News; but, after seeing her first drawing come to life, she was hooked.

This world is a good one for younger children because it requires little to no reading skills, and has a number of simple games like chutes and ladders or puzzles made from your drawings. There is also plenty to do with the free account, but if you choose to upgrade to a membership (typical “freemium” style) you get more colors, brushes and stamps  with which to draw.

The Bad

While extensive language skills are not required to play Shidonni, it can be rather hard to draw on a computer if you’re not used to it. My girl preferred drawing with her finger on the trackpad of our laptop, rather than the mouse. If you happen to have a graphics pad, I bet it would be better.

If you are looking to make connections with others in-world, it is not exactly easy. While the fact that you must know someone’s user ID before you can connect with them as a friend is good for privacy and protection of children, it also makes it difficult to interact with others. And, if you’re thinking about inviting a friend to join so you can make that virtual connection with a real life buddy, your option for facilitating it is a set of invitations you have to print and hand or mail to them.

The Lessons Learned

Overall, Shidonni seems to be a very unique entry into the kid-targeted virtual world market. The very thing that makes it unique, however, also means a little preparation might be useful before heading in-world. Our recommentation would be to do a few practice draws on paper or on another drawing application before you begin drawing your virtual pet. My girl was rather disappointed with her first efforts, which could impede the desire to continue in those easily frustrated.

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