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EXHIBIT 16 TO FORM 8-K

March 6, 1998


Securities and Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20549

Gentlemen:

We have read Item 4 of Form 8-K dated February 20, 1998, of Broderbund Software,
Inc.  and we are in agreement  with the  statements  contained in paragraph  (a)
therein  except  that we have no basis to agree or disagree  with the  statement
that the Board of Directors  and the Audit  Committee  approved the dismissal of
Ernst & Young LLP as its independent  accountants.  We have no basis to agree or
disagree with other statements of the registrant contained therein.


                                                           /s/ ERNST & YOUNG LLP





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