TOOTSVILLE

The latest in a trend of toy-based sites, TOOTSVILLE.COM is a virtual world where kids can wander around in the body of a Toot -- an elephant-like creature that's sold as a plush toy. Kids who want to go on the site for free can play a variety of games, chat with other Toots, and travel to different worlds (including the moon, a comic world, a dinosaur land, and more). A premium membership, which costs $5.95 a month (or less, if you sign up for six months or a year), gives kids access to extra f... eatures, such as the chance to buy clothes and furniture with the "peanuts" they collect, play special games, and attend events. Tootsville's free content should satisfy most kids who are looking for simple problem-solving and arcade games. The "Tootlympics" games score big, with virtual gymnastics, volleyball, archery, and more. The cute, colorful world is pretty easy to navigate, although sometimes it's a bit tough to control the Toots' actions. One handy feature is the "find games" button, which highlights each area in the world that features a game or activity. Parents will appreciate the site's thoughtful approach to safety, but may be annoyed by the merch tie-ins and pushes to upgrade membership. (The site's grammatically incorrect copy may also irk eagle-eyed moms and dads.)More