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                                                                    Exhibit 23.3

               CONSENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
   

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" and to the
use of our report dated October 3, 1997, with respect to the consolidated
financial statements of Broderbund Software, Inc. included in its Annual Report
(Form 10-K) for the year ended August 31, 1997 incorporated by reference in
Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement (Form S-3 No.
333-02385) and related Prospectus of The Learning Company, Inc. for the
registration of 5,210,796 shares of its common stock.


                                                           /s/ Ernst & Young LLP
                                                           Ernst & Young LLP
    
Palo Alto, California
July 14, 1998