A Pink Whale and a Very Tall Tree
My daughter is at the stage where her imagination is running wild. She is constantly coming up with stories, songs, games, and situations to reenact. Imagine her surprise when I introduced her to a CD with songs that are chock full of the same kind of wild imagery and ideas that she loves so dearly!
A Pink Whale and a Very Tall Tree is a CD that combines two of my daughter’s favorite things in the world, music and storytelling. Instead of irrelevant lyrics with no cohesive story, Shāna Barry has authored beautiful, weaving tales about an imaginary island inhabited by a family of fōfers (rhymes with gophers).
In case you were wondering (and how could you not?), a fōfer is a multi-colored furry creature that likes to ride bikes, explore the island, and climb trees.
Written and preformed by Shāna Barry, the musical stories of A Pink Whale and a Very Tall Tree inspired many conversations between my daughter and me. We sat at the computer, looking up pictures of the various animals that she mentioned, we talked about where those animals lived, and we learned what they liked to eat. And recently, she has incorporated those animals and concepts into her imaginary play!
While I would categorize this along the lines of folk music, it is by no means traditional. Reminiscent of acoustic Jewel, the soft guitar is all that is needed to provide a musical foundation for Barry to tell her creative stories. Barry’s hushed voice lends a peacefulness to the mix, while drawing in the attention of listeners. Listen to a sample track, A Pink Whale, here.
My daughter really enjoyed this CD. Her favorite track was Around the Island, which she now calls “The Animal Song.” And I must admit, the last track, The Peaceballs, is an incredibly relaxing instrumental number that I could easily use to melt tension on a high stress day! - by Christy
Win it! We’ve got a copy of A Pink Whale and a Very Tall Tree to give away. To enter, leave a comment on this post before noon mst on April 8, 2009.
CONTEST CLOSED & WINNER EMAILED
April 2nd, 2009 at 12:09 am
My kids are always fans of music, especially when it’s new to their ears. I think this CD would be a hit in our car and home.
April 2nd, 2009 at 12:37 am
I would love to share this with my little girl.
April 2nd, 2009 at 1:17 am
This would be a wonderful addition to my little one’s library.
April 2nd, 2009 at 4:23 am
Sounds like a great CD!
April 2nd, 2009 at 4:30 am
love to have it
April 2nd, 2009 at 7:16 am
My kids would love listening to this!
April 2nd, 2009 at 9:22 am
we would really enjoy this
April 2nd, 2009 at 9:55 am
this looks fun for the whole family
April 2nd, 2009 at 10:14 am
Looks fun.
April 2nd, 2009 at 12:35 pm
This sounds like something my granddaughter would absolutely love. Thanks!
April 2nd, 2009 at 12:46 pm
This sounds like it would be a great CD. Thanks for the giveaway.
April 2nd, 2009 at 12:46 pm
I am a subscriber.
April 2nd, 2009 at 1:08 pm
I’d love to win this. Thank you!
April 2nd, 2009 at 1:46 pm
yay! Kids music that doesn’t make me want to rip my ears off! I want it.
April 2nd, 2009 at 3:50 pm
love to win this
April 2nd, 2009 at 4:17 pm
I think my nephews would love this CD.
April 2nd, 2009 at 5:09 pm
throw my name into that little hat, im feeling lucky today.
April 2nd, 2009 at 7:01 pm
Thanks for the chance, looks neat!
April 2nd, 2009 at 9:36 pm
my baby girls response to music is just delightful, I know she’d love this too
April 2nd, 2009 at 10:58 pm
This would be great for my grandchildren!
Thanks
April 3rd, 2009 at 2:11 am
This looks like a wonderful cd for the kids.
April 3rd, 2009 at 8:10 am
This cd looks great. I’d love a copy!
April 3rd, 2009 at 8:10 am
I’m a subscriber.
April 3rd, 2009 at 8:10 am
Your button is on my blog.
April 3rd, 2009 at 8:51 am
My son would love this. Thanks so much for the chance.
April 3rd, 2009 at 10:18 am
Sounds like a great kids cd!
April 3rd, 2009 at 1:40 pm
Our oldest son is into story telling also and isn’t it so awesome how their imaginations and innocence make some very interesting stories and teaching moments. He loves Whales and would love this. I can hear him now with the new stories and questions.
Thanks for the chance to win this, and thank you to people who can write stories that others want to read and or listen to. Especially the little people in our lives.
Michelle S.
April 3rd, 2009 at 2:17 pm
Nice gift for my grandkids
April 3rd, 2009 at 3:07 pm
[...] “Beautiful, weaving tales…songs that are chock full of wild imagery and ideas…reminiscent of acoustic Jewel, the soft guitar is all that is needed to provide a musical foundation for Barry to tell her creative stories. – The Opinionated Parent more [...]
April 3rd, 2009 at 5:06 pm
This is so cute
April 3rd, 2009 at 8:28 pm
I’d love to win!
April 3rd, 2009 at 8:31 pm
I subscribe!
April 3rd, 2009 at 10:07 pm
agreat win for me
April 4th, 2009 at 11:09 am
We love folk music especially childrens!
April 4th, 2009 at 5:10 pm
Thx for the great contest — I am sure my boys would love the songs.
April 4th, 2009 at 9:15 pm
My daughter would flip over this CD.
April 4th, 2009 at 10:33 pm
Thanks for the great giveaway. I know my daughter would like this.
April 5th, 2009 at 9:43 am
This CD looks like a lot of fun. Pleas count me in.
April 5th, 2009 at 6:07 pm
this sounds like a lot of fun for the children.
April 6th, 2009 at 12:27 pm
My son would love this! Thanks for the chance.
April 6th, 2009 at 3:15 pm
Terrific
April 6th, 2009 at 8:59 pm
We always love to try out new music. It’s great to do our crafts with or when we get in the mood to dance.
April 6th, 2009 at 10:01 pm
Please, enter me, great prize!!! I would love to win this.
April 6th, 2009 at 11:58 pm
I SUBSCRIBED!
April 6th, 2009 at 11:59 pm
MY DAUGHTER WOULD ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS AND WHAT A WONDERFUL TITLE!
April 7th, 2009 at 12:17 am
This sounds charming. I have several friends with children in the age group this is designed for. You could make one of them happy.
April 7th, 2009 at 6:07 am
Hi, Would love to win this. Sounds like great music. Thanks and blessings, Stefanie
April 7th, 2009 at 7:06 am
please enter me
April 7th, 2009 at 9:15 am
Magical tales spun with delicate detail and soft, sweet sound~ What child (or adult, for that matter..) doesn’t need a bit of delightful escape.
April 7th, 2009 at 11:15 am
My daughter would love this.
April 7th, 2009 at 11:51 am
Oh, I love kids musical tapes. Thanks for the great giveaway!
April 7th, 2009 at 11:55 am
This sounds really interesting, my kids would enjoy it!
April 7th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
I think my son would really enjoy this!
April 7th, 2009 at 1:21 pm
I think my niece would like this CD
April 7th, 2009 at 3:18 pm
Happy Spring!
April 7th, 2009 at 6:02 pm
enter me
April 7th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
I am always looking for Cds to play in the car that my kids like and that will not drive me crazy. This sounds like a good one lezanac@yahoo.com
April 7th, 2009 at 8:38 pm
Oh this would be great for my boys and long car rides. Thanks for the chance.
April 7th, 2009 at 9:09 pm
The fofers sound interesting!
April 7th, 2009 at 9:21 pm
This sounds like a great little CD.
April 7th, 2009 at 10:08 pm
This sounds liek a great CD. I would love to win it for my daughter. Thanks
April 8th, 2009 at 8:02 am
We’ d love this! Sounds entertaining to the max.
April 8th, 2009 at 8:07 am
My granddaughter would love this CD.
April 8th, 2009 at 9:39 am
Please enter me into the contest. Thanks!
April 8th, 2009 at 9:48 am
I woud love to win this cd for my little one so we could listen to it together.
April 8th, 2009 at 9:52 am
I’m glad to know what a fōfer is. Thank you for the opportunity to participate in this giveaway!
April 8th, 2009 at 9:57 am
Please enter me
April 8th, 2009 at 11:50 am
I would love to win this for my kiddos! Thanks for the contest!
April 8th, 2009 at 2:14 pm
my son would love this
April 8th, 2009 at 4:24 pm
Please enter me in this contest.
April 8th, 2009 at 4:28 pm
My kids would love this
April 8th, 2009 at 5:05 pm
I love the title.
April 8th, 2009 at 7:13 pm
My daughters would be tickled by this