We love every CD from Putumayo that we’ve ever heard, whether for kids or not, but the kids Playground series is extra super awesome for children.
Picnic Playground “provides a veritable feast of international songs about food, cooking and healthy eating in a global gumbo of musical styles and languages.” The first track, “Eat Like a Rainbow” introduces the same idea we reinforce at our house – eat every colour and a variey of flavours every day – and it’s followed by a selection of fun & upbeat & utterly danceable songs from Cuba, Denmark, Oz, France, Germany, Trinidad and even Canada! “The artists sing so joyously about delicious food that you can almost taste it.” Whether you’re craving a “Bowl of Cherries,” “Ice Cream” , or cookies (“Let’s Bake Cookies”), there’s something on this album for every palate. (quotes all from Putumayo)
Win it! Want it? Leave a comment on this post before noon mst on Friday, August 14, 2009. All giveaways held during this “TOP Music Week” will end on Friday at noon.
When the CD Robot Dance from Mr. Leebot showed up in my mailbox to review, all I could think of was Styx for weeks every time I walked by the CD sitting in my entryway awaiting it’s turn in the stereo. (Seriously, if you were a child of the 80′s, you must click.)
Anyhoo…once Mr. Leebot‘s ROBOT DANCE (currently out of stock at Amazon) but available from CD Baby) finally made it into a player, I forgot all about that awesome decade and…started dancing like a robot. Yes, you read that right. I looked like an idiot, but I couldn’t stop. Soon both of my kids were doing makeshift robotics alongside me and we were all cracking up. It’s just as you’d imagine it would be – electro-pop with an undeniable 80′s flair. It’s completely different than anything else we own. Perhaps the missing genre of kids music?
So thank you very much (English translation of “domo arigato”), Mr. Leebot, for a very enjoyable CD!
Win it! Want it? Leave a comment on this post before noon mst on Friday, August 14, 2009. All giveaways held during this “TOP Music Week” will end on Friday at noon.
That’s how Hullabaloo describes themselves, and it’s perfect. I’d just add the word “Cowboy” in there somewhere. Their new CD, High Roller, is one of my kids’ new favourites. It’s a brand new release and doesn’t seem to be available for purchase quite yet, but you can get a listen here at watch for it at CD Baby or Amazon if you like what you hear. It’s so new that I couldn’t even track down a picture. For shame!
The music on High Roller is definitely folky, which I love, but a little too twangy country for my taste…however, my kids love it and all of my country loving friends love it too and convinced me to share it with you. They drew inspiration from Woody Guthrie and Johnny Cash, but don’t let that turn you off. Even my country music hating self was dancing right along with the kids by the third track. With classics like “Oh, Susanna!” and “This Land is Your Land” as well as some awesome originals like the title track “High Roller,” if you’re a country music fan this CD is one that you’ll find yourself pulling out of the case and actually suggesting to your kids. Unlike the Wiggles one.
Win it! Want it? Leave a comment on this post before noon mst on Friday, August 14, 2009. All giveaways held during this “TOP Music Week” will end on Friday at noon.
On July 7, San Diego based singer-songwriter Tracey Singer (a work at home dad of four!) released his debut children’s CD entitles Sweets ‘n’ Treats ($15).
The song styles range from oldies rock n’ roll to close harmony vocals, and Tracey’s sense of humour shines through in all of them. He speaks incredibly clear – so much so that my two children were able to repear the lyrics properly after only one listen. It’s a pretty hilarious CD, so listening to my own cuties repeat it was pretty hilarious too. It’s a very “real life” CD which teaches kids that life, no matter how crappy or annoying at times, is really funny if you have the right attitude. I also love the song “Stinky Smoke” which tells kids that smoking is repulsive and stupid. (My words.)
A highly recommended CD to add to your collection, and we’d like to offer Tracey our congrats on his first album. We have no idea how he did it while staying home with four kids!
Win it! Want it? Leave a comment on this post before noon mst on Friday, August 14, 2009. All giveaways held during this “TOP Music Week” will end on Friday at noon.
When I’m sent CD’s to review, I always feel horrible because they take me forever. No matter how much my kids and/or I love the music, I just don’t feel like writing about music very often and I don’t feel that it’s exactly my forte. However, I just couldn’t wait to tell you about The Boogers. When their front man, Crusty Booger, emailed me about their debut CD Road to Rock, there was no way I was turning him down. I mean, Crusty Booger and his buddies Greenie Booger and Sticky Booger? Wouldn’t you want to invite them into your home?
Crusty Booger is actually developmental psychologist and musician Paul Crowe, who was a “real” punk musician for more than a decade before becoming a husband and father and adapting his style to mesh the two.
The Boogers have been described as “The Ramones meet Mother Goose” and after reading that, I couldn’t come up with anything better. That’s absolutely & totally what they sound like, and I LOVE the Ramones. Check out their version of The Wheels On The Bus (and a few more tunes) on their music page. There’s nothing like it. It’s freaking awesome.
Win it! To enter to win one of the FIVE copies of this CD we’re giving away, leave a comment on this post before noon mst on July 1, 2009.
I recently received a CD by a 13 year old artist named Casey Jame. Having been told that Casey’s music is very positive and very safe for kids, I figured it would be the usual kids’ CD.
Let me tell you, it’s not. It’s wonderful, and really is positive and safe, but it’s also really, really good. I put it on while I was working & the kids were playing, and I actually forgot it was playing because it sounds like, well, real music! There are only five tracks, but that’s five more than 99.9% of thirteen year old have got.
Show your support for a teenager living out her dream. Check out Casey’s MySpace page and buy her stuff from CD Baby
Win it! We’ve got 5 copies of Casey’s CD to give away. To enter, just leave a comment on this post before noon mst on June 29, 2009.
“…a wonderful mix of lullabies that transports children to far away magical places…”
To celebrate the 2nd birthday of her album, Julia Norton is offering it for just $10 on her website http://www.lullabyisland.com until the end of June.
Debi Derryberry, a successful voiceover artist and children’s entertainer, has released her third CD this month. Debi’s new CD, BABY BANANA is so similar to her previous two that my son recognized her voice immediately. (We reviewed Debi’s previous two CD’s in 2007 and 2008.) The inspiration for the CD and the newly launched Baby Banana “brand” comes from a bedtime story about a unique and loving family — Baby Banana, Momma Duck and Daddy Gorilla — which was originally created for Debi’s young son. The CD contains a reading of her first ever childrens’ book, Baby Banana and the Licorice Tree which is as entertaining to the little people as her music. There’s something about Debi’s childlike voice that makes the kids love her and, though it’s a little high for me, I actually enjoy her music too, which is really nice since they made me play through the CD three times today.
Track Listing:
1. Baby Banana
2. I Wish You Could Fly with Me
3. Scoops of Ice Cream
4. Happiest Day
5. Oodle the Orangutan
6. I’m a Chameleon
7. Freckle Face Freddie
8. Tropical Fruit
9. Slumberland
10. Baby Banana and the Licorice Tree (The Storybook)
Win it! We’re giving away TWO copies of Debi’s new CD to randomly selected winners who comment before noon mst on May 27, 2009.
Putumayo World Music/Putumayo Kids is one of those companies who produces music that you just can’t go wrong with. We love exposing our family to the sounds of countries that they may never be able to visit. It would be nice to travel the world with them but unless we come into some cold, hard cash its not likely to happen. In this economy, we’re lucky to be able to drive an hour to go for a hike. Allow me to share with you what I think are the greatest new-ish releases from Putumayo. All of them can are available from Amazon.
Putumayo Presents: India, with mesmerizing voices and gentle beats, is one of my favourites for several reasons. First of all, I married into an Indian family so it’s important to me that my 1/4 Indian kids are exposed to at least a little bit of the culture. The food and the music can’t be beat. This cd showcases India’s rich musical variety, from traditional and acoustic music to Bollywood and electronica.
Putumayo Presents: Acoustic Arabia features the subtle, organic music of the Arabic world. Inspired by the region’s traditional music, it’s much more authentic, in my humble opinion, than the arabic pop & electronic commonly featured. A nice change from…everything we own!
Putumayo Presents: Acoustic France brings the romance and charm of Paris and the French countryside right to us in the not-so-charming-right-now snow covered western Canada. From the press release: “This collection features contemporary chanson and acoustic pop by established stars and up-andcoming artists from today’s thriving French music scene. Inspired by the classic styles of an earlier generation, young artists are borrowing from old-school lyric-driven composition, folk and Gypsy jazz to create an appealing modern sound. The music captures the ambiance of strolling along the Seine or sipping wine in a Parisian café on a beautiful summer day. Included in the liner notes is a signature recipe from 3 star Michelin French chef Michel Troisgros of La Maison Troisgros. Sifflets De Sole À La Banane Et Citron Vert (Banana and Lime Sole) is well-paired with the flavorful melodies served on this collection.” That says it so much better than I could. Thoroughly enjoyable, thoroughly authentic – a great addition to your (hopefully growing) world music collection. Also cool? A portion of the proceeds from Acoustic France will be donated to La Chaîne de l’Espoir (The Chain of Hope), an organization that provides children from developing countries access to health care and quality education.
Putumayo Presents: African Reggae is a great collection “featuring selections by outstanding African musicians who have built upon Jamaica’s “golden age of reggae” in the 1960s and 1970s by weaving together traditional and modern sounds into a vibrant musical fabric.” If ever there were an homage to Bob Marley’s powerful impact on African music, this would be it. Totally worth a listen or several. It’ll get you and the kids all up dancing!
Win it! We’re giving away all four of these CD’s to one lucky winner. To enter, leave a comment on this post before Friday, May 1 at noon mst.
Mother of two Lauren Busch Singer of ASAP Productions has produced a great new CD with the help of her 10 year old son Jake.
(How cool is that? Jake has got to be the coolest kid in school.)
FUNKY KIDZ features 12 of New Orleans’ finest artists (Nevilles, The Radiators, George Porter Jr., Theresa Andersson and more) doing crazy funked up covers of classic kids songs we all know and love. Think Zip a Dee Doo Dah, Yellow Submarine and the funkiest rendition of the Hokey Pokey you’ve ever heard. It’s danceable, even for me. It’s funky, it’s complex and it’s totally not kiddie crap. It’s as good as what I’d listen to if the kids weren’t with me, and that’s the kind of CD I want my kids to love. And love it they do.
A portion of the proceeds from this album go toward fostering music education in New Orleans. Check them out at funkykidzmusic.com.
Win it! Comment by noon mst on Friday, May 1 to enter to win your own copy of Funky Kidz.
NAPPA and Parent Choice award-winning artist Jonathan Sprout’s latest release American Heroes #3 is, as one would presume, full of songs about American…um…heroes. Though I’m solidly Canadian, we actually learn a decent amount of American history up here. (In our igloo schools). The third in the American Heroes series, A.H.#3 is packed with fun & upbeat songs about some America’s finest. Like Pocahontas – I learned a lot listening to this CD. Music and a history lesson all rolled into one makes for kids who actually remember the content after the test. This would be great in a classroom! It’s not all serious though. Tunes like “Chocolate King” about Milton Hershey offer up some education and an equally large dose of entertainment. The songs all have great hooks that reel kids in & make the lyrics memorable. Think we can convince him to come north for a while and make one for us Canucks? Contrary to popular belief, we can actually be interesting!
Win it! We’ve got a copy to give away to one lucky reader who comments before noon mst on Friday, May 1, 2009.
We spent the better part of this weekend grooving in our living room to the tunes of Recess Monkey. Seattle based band members Jack Forman, Drew Holloway, and Daron Henry have recently released a new CD, Field Trip, and is just as fantastic as all those that came before it. For a band that pumps out the CD’s like these guys, it’s amazing that the quality just keeps getting better and better.
The songs kept us laughing, and listening to see what they were actually saying as we made up goofy lyrics to go along with each of the titles.
Track Listing:
1. Fort
2. Marshmallow Farm
3. Sack Lunch
4. Knocktopus
5. New Shoes
6. Haven’t Got a Pet Yet
7. Hot Chocolate
8. Ice Pack
9. Tiny Telephone
10. Little Insects Crawling Everywhere (L.I.C.E.)
11. Something Happens in the Teens
12. Secret Agent Watch
13. Bubble Factory
14. Centipede Pirate
15. Firefly Lullaby
16. Waiting For Vanderslice
One quick look at the song titles and it’s evident that these guys have a sense of humour. The only thing better than that on a CD is the awesome musical talent that goes along with it.
Win it! To enter to win a copy of Recess Monkey’s new CD, leave a comment on this post before noon mst on May 1, 2009.
It’s music week at T.O.P. and each day we’ll be featuring a new CD we’ve been sent to review that has made it into regular rotation in our homes and vehicles. Each one will be accompanied by the usual giveaway, with all of them closing at noon mst on Friday.
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.
This set features guest artists Lisa Loeb and Wilco’s John Stirratt & Pat Sansone. Written by Ohio native illustrator/songwriter Morgan Taylor, Mellow Fever contains more adventures of Gustafer Yellowgold – a yellow dude who hails from the sun. Yes, the sun. Each song on the DVD is “accompanied by a series of hand-drawn, minimally animated illustrations set to melodic and catchy tunes ranging from mellow acoustic to crackling-pop.” I’m being totally honest when I say this Gustafer guy is a trip. Like the Cheshire cat, it seems unreasonable that someone who was not on drugs could have dreamed up such a character (sorry, Morgan!) but every kid who has seen it on at our place absolutely loves it.
It will officially be released on March 17th and is now available for preorder from Amazon.
Win it! To enter to win a copy of Mellow Fever, leave a comment on this post by noon mst on March 20, 2009.
Just yesterday, a new CD arrived in our mailbox. Luckily we had a couple of spare hours in the afternoon for a dance party because it would have been a shame if this awesome CD had been stuck in the “to listen” basket for a few months like many of them do. Come On, Get Happy, the new CD from Daddy A Go Go is a party in a box. My children and several of their friends and I danced for at least a solid hour and kept the CD on replay for at least an hour more while we danced and snacked intermittently. The CD begins with the title track, Come On, Get Happy, which it’s nearly impossible to sit through without at least some toe tapping if not full-on bootie shaking. The kids had no idea how I could possible know all of the words to sing along (feel old much?) but thoroughly enjoyed watching me make a fool of myself through it and the rest of the CD. It’s full of familiar tunes all remastered with a kid-friendly rock-ish sound.
Track Listing:
1. Come On, Get Happy (Remastered)
2. Birthday Song (Remastered)
3. Brush Your Teeth (Remastered)
4. A Dog Named Boomer (Remastered)
5. Scooby Doo, Where Are You? (Remastered)
6. I Caught My Daddy Watching Cartoons (Remastered)
7. Nana-Nana Boo-Boo (Remastered)
8. I Can Swing By Myself (Remastered)
9. Do the Chores (Remastered)
10. The ABC Song (Remastered)
11. Pink Floyd Saves Hugh Manatee (Remastered)
12. I Think I Might Be A Dog (Remastered)
13. Best Friend (Courtship of Eddie’s Father theme) (Remastered)
14. Daddy’s Diaper Blues (Remastered)
15. It’s a Kids’ World (Remastered)
Yummy English Snack‘s “Cool Songs Collection & Times Table Fun” is a completely nontraditional set written by teacher William Avery. Inspired by his years teaching ESL in Taiwan, William wrote catchy learning poems and then set them to music. He makes learning delicious enough that my two year old sings his multiplication tables though he obviously has no idea what multiplication is. Listen to song samples here and buy it at CD Baby.
Win it! To enter to win your own copy, leave a comment on this post before noon mst on January 19, 2009.
“When a saxophone-playing tadpole sets out to jam with the big frogs, he finds that making friends can be harder than making music.” “One Night in Frogtown” combines a colourfully illustrated book with a lively read-and-sing-along CD. Both the book and the CD are equally enjoyable on their own. Narrated by blues artist Curtis Salgado, it tells the story of Tad, a young tadpole saxophone player traveling the pond to venues such as the Toadstool Tavern and the Lily Pad Club in his quest to find his place in the musical world. Through his travels he learns to appreciate classical, jazz, R & B,,and hip-hop styles – a great metaphor for the value of cultural diversity. It sells for only $19.99 (autographed first edition!) from the Frogtown Central shop.
Win it! To enter to win your own copy, leave a comment on this post before noon mst on January 19, 2009.
Gunnar Madsen is more than just a kids’ musician. He’s a screenwriter, playwright, and more. He originally made it big as the founder of the a capella group The Bobs (which earned him a Grammy nomination) but his kids music is evidence that he’s doing what he should be doing. It’s sometimes goofy, sometimes tender, and all the time fun. Cutest Little Guy is my son’s fave (I think he things they’re talking about him!) but I really liked Always on the Bottom for the way it pokes fun (gently) at type A parenting & reminds us to be happy when our kids are happily average.
Music for a Green Planet is the brainchild of Hayes Greenfield, a producer, composer, saxophonist, filmmaker, bandleader, and educator who has been active on the New York City jazz scene since the late ‘70s. The mission of his newest CD is one of the greatest I’ve seen. (How many CD’s actually have a mission aside from getting people to listen?)
* To celebrate, and raise awareness about green renewable energy.
* To create a consciousness of waste reduction.
* To inspire protectiveness of our world’s natural resources.
* To bolster resolve to decrease our carbon footprints, by committing to a mindset of reduce, re-use and recycle.
* To embrace the knowledge and responsibility that the Green revolution is to our time and future generations, what the industrial revolution has been for the last 150 years.
“We’ll Be a Part of the Solution,” sung to the tune of “She’ll Be Coming Around The Mountain,” is an anthem around our home now.
We’ll be cruising in our hybrids when she comes
We’ll be getting better mileage when she comes
We’ll be a part of the solution
Cause we’re making less pollution
We’ll be cruising in our hybrids when she comes
This is an awesome CD that is a joy to listen to and a great teaching tool for young and old.
Sesame Street Playground from Putumayo Kids is a CD/DVD set featuring songs and music videos from Sesame Street productions around the world. It’s a new release representing a shared mission of Putumayo Kids and Sesame Workshop: “to reach children worldwide and help children learn about and respect other cultures.” The package includes a music CD with 13 songs featuring all of our favourite Muppets and characters developed to reflect the unique cultural and social development needs of children in each host country. You’ll hear familiar tunes as well as original songs from international Sesame Street shows in a variety of languages. The DVD features 5 music videos that visit distant locales such as Russia, South Africa and Mexico.
My two year old loves this CD (and has never seen Sesame Street or Sesame Workshop) and I love the memories that it brings back from my own Sesame filled childhood.
Randy Kaplan Junior‘s second children’s CD, Loquat Rooftop, has a sound like nothing I’ve heard in the kids’ tunes realm to date. It’s a combination of blues & folk with a little bluegrass tossed in for good measure. Randy has a unique ability to create awesome music out of everyday topics like laundry & fire engines, and his songs are definitely not just for kids. This was definitely one of my top ten albums of 2008.
Will Thomas is the Spanglish Wrangler and a father of two. His CD, Spanglish Sing-Along!, is a great mix of bluesy performance & silly songwriting that appeals to the whole family. The songs are all very playful and the CD is full lof surprises like “Desayuno Boogie” which is a celebration of breakfast and “Broccoli” in which a girl’s love of the green tree leaves her begging for more. Spanglish Sing-Along is available from CD Baby. With so many families intermixing two languages, the Spanglish Wrangler is a welcome addition to the kids music scene.
Win it! To enter to win your own copy, leave a comment on this post before noon mst on January 19, 2009.
It’s time again to share with you some of my favourites of the tunes that have been filling the air around here of late. As always, if we don’t like it you won’t hear about it here. At least one of the reviews each day this week will be a music review, and all music giveaways that are part of this week will end at noon next Monday.
Mama Doni is the stage name for New Jersey-based Doni Zasloff Thomas, a super hip (& Jewish) mom of two young kids. While I’ve never been and never will be Jewish, I am fascinated by all thing Jewish and was just as fascinated while listening to her CD “I LOVE HERRING (& Other Fish Shticks for Kids).” Whether you’re Jewish or not, there’s no way you won’t dig this CD. With tunes like Funky Gold Menorah, Jewperheroes & Fahklempt, it’ll have your whole family bopping right along. If your children are Jewish they, in particular, would likely love learning about their religion & culture from such a hip & modern chick.
About a year and a half ago, we reviewed an awesome CD from Milkshake so when I received the pitch about previewing their upcoming DVD release, ScreenPlay, I was all over it. If you have kids between 1 and 10, you’re going to want to pick it up as soon as you can – trust me.
Just because my kids aren’t allowed to watch much TV doesn’t mean I don’t need an electronic babysitter once in a while. This DVD has taken up permanent residence in my laptop of late because my son goes crazy for it. Many days it’s the reason I get to shower. He’s so busy singing and dancing along that he doesn’t even know I’ve left the room.
It’s similar to a music DVD you’d buy as an adult with videos and interviews, but does everything just right to rope in the preschooler. And apparently their parent – I’ve been singing “Mom is pitching, Dad is catching, my friends are in the out fieeeeeld…” all day long. And I don’t even mind!
Win it! We’ve got two copies of Screenplay to give away. To enter, leave a comment on this post before 5 pm mst on October 22, 2008.
Rock Daddy Rock‘s CD Silly Short Songs for Silly Short People is not allowed in my van. Not because it’s not fantastic, but because my son insists that it lives in the CD player in his room and nobody else is allowed to use it. Now that’s a first.
These tracks are good enough that I actually go into his room and hang out just to listen – and laugh – with him. They’re hilarious to the whole family, and manage to teach some great manners and life lessons through the laughter. With songs about snot, burps, farts, diapers, hitting, biting, spitting and more, I can’t think of any age of child or adult that wouldn’t find this CD awesome – even if they don’t want to admit it in public.
Track Listing: Boogers
Don’t Hit Don’t Spit
Wart
When You Grow Up
Biter
The Lecture
Where Is The Bathroom?
Don’t Pass The Gas
Dirty Nails, Diaper
Do The Burp
Green
Tears Of Joy
Time For Bed
Gun (Peace Sign)
Turn It Off.
Win it! We’ve got a copy of this fart-a-licious CD for one lucky reader. To enter, simply leave a comment on this post before 11:59 mst on October 2, 2008.
It’s music week here at TOP, where I’m sharing with you the best of the CD’s we’ve added to our collection over the past few months. Not only will I spare you the ones we didn’t enjoy but you’ll have a chance to win the good ones!
I’m not much of a music critic – just a mama whose children love to boogie and who is easily annoyed. I tend to put CD’s that arrive for review in my van or stereo CD changer and listen to them on rotation for months before I remember to write anything about them. Because I find them difficult to write about, CD’s don’t fall into my review schedule like other reviewed items do. It can take me hours to write just a paragraph when it comes to music. I never intended this site to feature any music (it just didn’t occur to me), but I’m really enjoying it and hope you get some ideas to freshen your collection from the ones I decide to share with you. Even if it takes me a while to do so.
Justin Roberts’ new release Pop Fly ($15 from his shop) had been and will continue to be a regular around here. I love that it’s real music – not dumbed down or simplified – and the lyrics are easily enjoyed by kids and parents alike. The target age is 3-8 but my two year old and my ten year old niece both love this CD. It’s terrific from start to finish, and comes highly recommended by my little baseball star who is constantly singing while he plays with his pitching machine in the back yard…
‘Cause it’s a
pop p-p-p-p-p-p
pop p-p-p-p-p-p pop fly, pop fly
Watch the video for Pop Fly here and see how long it takes for the kids to come running.
Track Listing
1. Pop Fly
2. She’s a Yellow Reflector
3. Big Field Trip
4. Henrietta’s Hair
5. The Backyard Super Kid
6. From Scratch
7. Stay-at-Home Dad
8. She Sits
9. Giant-Sized Butterflies
10. Kickboard, Baby, Yeah
11. Fruit Jar
(By request, I’ll start including the track listing in CD reviews.)
Win it! Enter to win a copy of this CD by leaving a comment on this post before 11:59 mst on October 1/08.
Two Flowers, the debut CD from Danielle Sansone, started out as a simple recording of a few songs she had written for her two children and turned into what producer Will Robertson calls a “14-track ode to childhood wonder.” A totally indie mix of bluegrass and symphonic sounds characterize the strange but welcome combination of sweet vocals, fiddle, banjo, cello & violin on this CD.
Many of the songs are directly or indirectly about sleep, proving that a mother did, indeed, write them. Too Much Coffee (for mama today…), (Sleep) Like an Angel, Sleep so Sweetly, The Sleepy Mile…and the list goes on. Just typing those titles brings me back to the sweet days of rocking babies that didn’t rip my glasses off and pull my hair when they should be sleeping.
Honestly, the first time I listened to Two Flowers, I thought it was too ‘country’ for me. However, as my son requested “More Two-Fowers” it grew on me and is now a fave we like to sing along to (in our “inside voices”) before nap time. It’s not really country – it’s just a little more rural than suburban.
Thank you all so much for your emails and comments. Losing my Dad sucks butt, but we’re doing okay and I hear it gets easier with time, though I’m sure we won’t miss him any less. He left us with years of memories to talk and laugh about, and we’re doing lots of that.
Thanks, also, for hanging in there while I was away and unable to write or edit posts. I’m back!
We took a little road trip recently and used the opportunity to listen to a bunch of new kid-tunes. Each day this week will bring a review and giveaway of one of the CD’s that both the kids and my husband and I enjoyed on the trip. If we didn’t enjoy it, we’ll spare you. You’re welcome.
The first CD we popped in was the newest release by Krista “Funky Mama” Eyler. The CD Moo Juice is full of rockin’ tunes that made us dance in our seats. And made our two year old son demand that we continue to dance in our seats until the CD was over, at which time he demanded “Again!”
My Dad Rocks was a shoo in for my husband’s favourite song, obviously, and I had a hard time picking a fave. Down Down Baby and Multi-Taskin’ Mama are definitely right up there.
Check out Krista performing Moo Juice on KCTV news last year. Isn’t she just an itty bitty thing with a hugely soulful voice?
Makes you want to groove, no?
Win it! Your own copy of mommy-van dancing goodness is up for grabs. To enter, leave a comment on this post before 11:59 mst September 29/08.
I hate road trips. I love the concept and I love holidays once we get there, but I hate sitting still in an enclosed space for more than 15 minutes. Listening to horrid kid tunes makes an average road trip unbearable. Listening to The Jimmies, though, turns a crappy car ride into a party!
The NY based band has released their debut CD Make Your Own Someday – Silly Songs for the Shorter Set and it’s a HUGE hit with my family and every kid who has been around when it’s been blasting the speakers. Even my husband loves it, primarily because the band members obviously have a wicked sense of humour and love what they’re doing. The lyrics are hilarious and yet totally kid/family appropriate. They’re a little above my two year old’s head but he loves it regardless. We all do. Get yours at GimmeJimmies or CD Baby – listen for the hidden track about boogers. You’ll laugh your butt off.
Win it! Leave a comment on this post to enter to win a copy of this fan-freaking-tastic CD. You know you want to. Contest closes in 1 week – September 12/08.
It’s no secret that we love See Kai Run. They make some of the softest and most adorable toddler shoes. Honestly, they’re so soft & supple that I wish they’d expand into adult sizes. They haven’t yet, but they have gone in the opposite direction with the launch of Smaller.
Smaller is a new line for the littles 18 months and under. The look is way more big kid shoe than baby bootie which is a huge part of their charm. They’re particularly great for the kids that are pulling to standing and starting to toddle because the sole is a combination of the classic baby suede leather with a little bit of soft rubber for traction. My own daughter became a lot more solid in pulling up & standing once I put her Smaller shoes on because there was no slick leather sliding out from under her and taking her confidence with it.
The selection of styles is fantastic for both boys and girls. If you’ve got a baby girl who’ll be learning to stand this winter, check out the bunny. (Pictured, top.) If I had a boy who was smaller, I’d be all over the Gavin. (Pictured, bottom.) No matter what your taste, you’ll have a hard time choosing.
Win it! One randomly selected winner will receive a Smaller pair of their choice. To enter, choose your fave from here and leave a comment with your choice of style and size. Contest closes September 11/08.
If you love someone with Down Syndrome, October is a very special month. It’s Down Syndrome Awareness Month, and indie musician Leonardo will be releasing his second kids’ CD, ‘Makin’ Waves’, on October 21. Throughout his career, Leonardo has been a musical advocate for children with special needs. Inspired by his younger brother, Mario (who, despite having Down syndrome and autism, has led a beautiful and productive life) Leonardo devotes a significant portion of his time to performing at camps and fundraisers for special needs kids and writing empowering songs dedicated to them.
I highly recommend that you take a few minutes to watch this inspiring news story about Leonardo and his involvement in the Down Syndrome & special needs community.
All of his CD’s are super inexpensive and if they sound anything like ‘Makin’ Waves’ they’re worth every penny and more.
Throughout ‘Makin’ Waves,’ Leonardo combines a ton of positive & life affirming messages that parents want to pass on to their children to create lyrics for the littles that are full of life & the loving of it. He uses enough repetition to keep the kids singing along with him but not so much as to annoy the big people that can reach the play button. With a Beachboys-esque sound and a backup chorus of kids with Down Syndrome, it’s a great CD with no distracting background clutter and a lot of great, fun music.
Win it! We’re giving away a copy of ‘Makin’ Waves’ to one randomly selected reader. Simply leave a comment on this post before September 3/08 to enter.
If you’ve got an early writer or or a frustrated youngster who wants to do exactly what their school aged sibling does, you know that writing is one of those things that only gets easier with practice and the only way you’ll get your kids to practice is if you find ways to make it a little less like work and a little more like fun.
Write Way To Learn, a new mom-run company, makes writing practice fun for preschoolers with their fabulous multi-sensory learning cards. You can shop by level (easy, intermediate or challenging) or by theme. The seventeen available themes vary from family & world, for both of which you can upload your own pics, to shapes & bugs. Each oversized, super high quality, non-toxic card features a word and a corresponding picture and ample space for your child to write the word on the card over and over and over again. The cards can be created using your choice of font, and sign language cards featuring children’s hands signing the word are available. My son’s favourite feature is the “Personalization Pocket” – “a clear pocket that overlays the image area and empowers your child to customize the image by simply inserting a personal photograph, drawing, magazine clipping, etc. It is large enough to hold sizes up to a half sheet of paper (8.5″ x 5.5″). By using this pocket, your child is given yet another method in which to interact with the words he or she is learning on the card, therefore strengthening the learning experience and promoting retention.” I also love that you can choose the printable versions of the kits and make them at home (which is more affordable and therefore accessible to more children) and then tuck them in a sheet protector to make them reusable. They might not be as pretty but they’ll sure work. The learning kits come with the cards, a white board, a set of 4 dry erase markers, an accompanying learning guide and it all comes in a handy travel tote.
If you’re one of the first 100 customers of this great new company you’ll get a free printable learning card set of your choice, so buy yours now! I can think of several preschoolers who’d love to have a few of these kits appear under the Christmas tree. (In 121 days…get shopping!)
Win it! We’ve got a printable “My Animal Friends” kit to give to one randomly selected commenter. To enter, visit the Write Way To Learn site and leave a comment on this post before September 1, 2008 with the themes or products not mentioned in this review that you think your child (or grandchild, neighbour or cat) would like best.
I know, I know. You’re thinking I’m either full of crap, completely delusional or not talking about my kid. You are correct. The Terrible Twos is a punk-ish kindie rock band headed by front man Matt Pryor of the grown up pop band the New Amsterdams. Matt also fronted for The Get Up Kids for nearly ten years so he knows a little about making real music. As he says, he’s not a children’s artist, per se, but an artist who made some music that children like. With songs like The Great Big Poop (ha!) on the Terrible Twos’ Jerzy Giant, (released today!) your kids are sure to dig it as much as you do.
Win it! We’re giving away a copy of the Terrible Twos Jerzy Giant to one randomly selected reader. To enter, leave a comment on this post by 11:59 mst on August 6/08.
When I was learning to breastfeed my first baby, I wasn’t all that shocked (well, maybe that’s a lie) at the cracking, scabbing and as-bad-as-labour searing pain that came with it for the first few weeks. I was, however, shocked that as an experienced exclusive breastfeeder the same thing happened when I began to nurse my second child. Granted, it didn’t last quite as long and it wasn’t quite as bad but holy bajeebus did it ever hurt. Without a lot of air drying, a little relief-pumping and some great natural products, there would have been a lot more screaming heard from my house.
You likely remember the recent headline news about the nipple cream for nursing moms that contained potentially harmful ingredients (chlorphenesin and phenoxyethanol) that could cause respiratory distress or vomiting and diarrhea in infants. This product was taken off the market, thank goodness, and we’ve got a great alternative for you.
Nipple Nurture Butter ($9.99 for 2 oz.) is a great lanolin-free alternative to other breastfeeding creams. Many people are unaware that lanolin comes from sheep’s wool. Nipple Nurture Butter is an excellent alternative for those that prefer a plant-based product. It contains only the very best natural ingredients including cocoa, shea and mango butter. All of the ingredients are food-grade and free of parabens (which, in case you didn’t know, are controversial but widely used artificial preservatives that are rapidly absorbed, have estrogenic activity and have been found in breast tumours).
Nipple Nurture Cleansing Pads ($9.99 for 80 pads) are a clean, natural solution to cleaning nipples before and after breastfeeding (which I had never done prior to discovering these pads and still don’t do reguarly, but it’s lovely and would be especially awesome in times of thrush.) They not only clean tender nipples but provide excellent soothing and healing properties. Fortified with aloe vera, the cleaning solution is healing and refreshing to sore, cracked nipples.
Win it! One randomly selected winner will win one of each of these great products, together valued at $19.98. To enter, simply leave a comment on this post before noon MST on July 25/08.
Putumayo World Music has released Cafe Cubano as the latest in their cafe series.
I’m a huge fan of cafe music any time, but having spent time teaching fitness classes at a resort in Cuba surrounded by their music and dance-rich culture, I love the idea of Cuban tunes, cafe style. It’s the kind of music that gets your hips moving no matter how hard you try to stop them, but it’s totally unobtrusive enough to enjoy over a Cuban coffee in an outdoor lounge while still focusing on the conversation.
Order it here, and pour yourself a mojito to accompany your first listen. You’ll be glad you did.
Putumayo has joined in the 400th Anniversary celebration of one of the world’s most fascinating and beautiful cities with the new release Québec. Featuring an array of Québécois songs ranging from traditional folk to contemporary, this CD is a great way to expose your family to music that’s not very well known to people outside of the province. Designated as a World Heritage City, Québec City has a proud musical tradition that deserves to be shared.
Québec follows the Putumayo line of successful French-language albums including French Café, Paris, French Playground and French Caribbean.
Putumayo has recently released several additions to their great collection. They go around the world searching for the amazing sounds on their CD’s and have never failed us yet.
We’ll be presenting mini-features of a few of their new selections this week.
Eurogroove is the 11th release in the -groove series, following such titles as Arabic Groove, Asian Groove, Gypsy Groove and Latin Groove. The series has sold more than 1.5 million CD’s around the world and that many kids can’t be wrong.
Artists from Hungary, Germany, France, Spain and more are featured on this unique CD, playing a diverse selection of R&B, jazz, Latin and pop. It’s a great mix of Euro-tunes that my kids dig, and the appearance of Chumbawamba (of “Tubthumping” fame) singing “Jacob’s Ladder” had me sold.
New Orleans-based singer/songwriter Johnette Downing‘s new album, Dixieland Jazz for Children, featuring Jimmy LaRocca and the Original Dixieland Jazz Band is, as far as I can tell, the very first Dixieland jazz CD for kids. If you’re a fan of Louisiana’s musical stylings, you and your kids will get a real kick out of this unique CD full of New Orleans inspired “can’t sit still” music.
Johnette Downing, dubbed “the Pied Piper for Louisiana music traditions,” has won 18 national awards for her recordings and children’s books. You can hear her passion for the art of Dixieland Jazz as she plays, and neither you or the children you spend your time with will be able to resist dancing.
Being that I have no idea what Dixieland dancing is supposed to look like, this is one time I’m very glad we don’t have a flip video camera.
Win it! We’ve got a Dixieland Jazz for Children up for grabs. To enter, just leave a comment on this post by noon MST on Sunday, July 6/08.
Frances England‘s newest release, Family Tree, is a welcome addition to the saturated genre of children’s tunes.
The folksy sound is reminiscent of a small town Lilith Fair, with a definite Sarah McLachlan influence and a few little voices interspersed throughout.
Our playgroup kidlets loved the simple lyrics that they could jam to even the first time it played through. I know my son would hop on the Fast Train to Grandma’s if he could, and we’ll certainly be doing our part to help our animal friends.
Since that wonderful morning that he spent dancing with his friends, my son has asked for “da new guitar cd” over and over again. Thankfully, Family Tree is enjoyable enough that I’m happy to oblige.
Win it! We’ve got a copy of Family Tree up for grabs, autographed and written to your child! To enter, simply leave a comment on this post before noon MST on Saturday, July 5/08.
I reviewed Ira Marlowe’s first two CD’s last winter and am pleased to announce that he has released a new CD featuring 11 brand new songs.
Dream Time features the same Molly The Moose as his first CD’s but this time she travels to Mars and displays an aptitude for science never before seen in such a large land mammal. My two year old and his buddies love to dance to this CD and are often found doing the crab walk or acting like dogs along with “Don’t Let the Dog Dig.” My favourite? Soap Opera. It’s a musical hygiene lesson that got the kids washing like I never could.
When I first heard the title Dream Time, I envisioned a lullaby CD but I wasn’t even close. As with all of Ira’s CD’s your child’s imagination will soar as they listen, sing and dance along. Listen and check out the lyrics here.
Why are children so fascinated with marbles? There’s just something about them that never gets old. Mine all love to watch them roll!
My children currently have a wooden set of blocks that they often set up for a marble run, but they’re going in the donation bin after finding the Q-BA-MAZE Marble Run! This really sets the imagination into orbit!
Founded by architect Andrew Comfort, Q-BA-MAZE is a toy but so much more – it’s right-brained and left-brained, part art and part science. There are literally thousands of options for making marble runs. Children can build any shape their mind can fathom with these cool interlocking, durable polycarbonate pieces, or they can go online and choose a plan to build. Come up with a cool design of your own? You can submit it online to the guys at Q-BA-MAZE to see if it makes the cut to be added to their site. (Here’s the plan for the pictured design made with Q50 in red.)
Q-BA-MAZE sets come in 20 or 50 packs, and you can choose from Cool Colors (blue, green and clear) or Hot Colors (red, orange and clear). They also have a new Fish Five Set and a Dino One Set that comes with enough cubes and instructions to complete the chosen kit. Check out these cool videos of the Q-BA-MAZE in action.
Q-BA-MAZE is available online or in seleceted retail locations. Have fun designing and watching those marbles meander throughout your creation! - Gina
Win it! We’re giving away a red 50 pack Q-BA-MAZE valued at $50 to one lucky winner. To enter, leave a comment on this post before noon MST on June 16/08.
Well, you’re getting lucky again! We’ve got two toothbrush holders and two razor holders to give away. Two winners will each receive one of each – just leave a comment to enter! You’ve got just 48 hours to enter – contest closes at 8 pm MST on Wednesday, May 28/08.
I’m a big fan of music and enjoy hip-hop, but as you and I both know the hip-hop music of todays era that you hear on the radio isn’t really suitable for young ears. Those same young ears that crave music with a good beat. Who also love to listen to the radio or a good kid’s CD in the car while Mom or Dad is driving.
I can attest to the fact that some of the kids CD’s that we have had in rotation lately are getting quite stale, and just monotonous. If they are boring to me, I’m sure my kids are thinking the same. But I was presented with an opportunity, and I have to say it was a life-saver.
Secret Agent 23 Skidoo, a father and life-long fan of hip-hop has created an album that introduces kids to hip hop music without compromising either one. His goal was to fix the two things I’ve already touched on; boring kids CD’s and today’s hip-hop music that’s unsuitable for our young kids. His new CD ‘Easy’ is a big top, hip-hop, upbeat collection of beats and rhymes that mixes traditional funk, bluegrass, reggae and blues over golden age hip hop beats and then tops it off with magical lyrical journeys through a world populated with dragons, mermaids and blue grasshoppers.
I found myself playing the CD for my kids every time we were in the car and have to admit that even after the kids were dropped off at daycare and I was by myself and on my way to work, it was still playing. Not only were my kids enjoying the CD, I was too.
The lyrics to Secret Agent 23 Skidoo’s are positive which reminds kids to have fun, live life to the fullest and stay true to themselves. Visit the Secret Agent 23 Skidoo website to check out a few song samples, a few song videos, Secret Agent 23 Skidoo’s bio, and tour schedule. You might even want to consider purchasing ‘Easy’ while you are checking things out. You and your kids won’t be disappointed if you do.
Win it! We’re giving away TWO copies of this great CD! To enter, leave a comment on this post by June 2, 2008 @ noon mst.
Rebecca Frezza and her 7-piece band, Big Truck, have just released their fourth CD entitled Special Kind of Day. It features 13 new songs sung by Rebecca in her very-unique-in-a-good-way voice and backed up by her talented band. The tunes are catchy, rather folky and are aimed toward the older pre-school and early school aged crowd. A nice change from the toddler tunes I listen to on a regular basis!
You can catch Rebecca and her band in music videos on PBS KIDS and NOGGIN and on Sirius and XM Satellite Radio.
Win it! We’re giving away a copy of Special Kind of Day to one reader. To enter, listen to some audio clips here and leave a comment telling us which track is your fave by noon on April 23.
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We love every CD from Putumayo that we’ve ever heard, whether for kids or not, but the kids Playground series is extra super awesome for children.
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, with mesmerizing voices and gentle beats, is one of my favourites for several reasons. First of all, I married into an Indian family so it’s important to me that my 1/4 Indian kids are exposed to at least a little bit of the culture. The food and the music can’t be beat. This cd showcases India’s rich musical variety, from traditional and acoustic music to Bollywood and electronica.
features the subtle, organic music of the Arabic world. Inspired by the region’s traditional music, it’s much more authentic, in my humble opinion, than the arabic pop & electronic commonly featured. A nice change from…everything we own!
brings the romance and charm of Paris and the French countryside right to us in the not-so-charming-right-now snow covered western Canada. From the press release: “This collection features contemporary chanson and acoustic pop by established stars and up-andcoming artists from today’s thriving French music scene. Inspired by the classic styles of an earlier generation, young artists are borrowing from old-school lyric-driven composition, folk and Gypsy jazz to create an appealing modern sound. The music captures the ambiance of strolling along the Seine or sipping wine in a Parisian café on a beautiful summer day. Included in the liner notes is a signature recipe from 3 star Michelin French chef Michel Troisgros of La Maison Troisgros. Sifflets De Sole À La Banane Et Citron Vert (Banana and Lime Sole) is well-paired with the flavorful melodies served on this collection.” That says it so much better than I could. Thoroughly enjoyable, thoroughly authentic – a great addition to your (hopefully growing) world music collection. Also cool? A portion of the proceeds from 
is a great collection “featuring selections by outstanding African musicians who have built upon Jamaica’s “golden age of reggae” in the 1960s and 1970s by weaving together traditional and modern sounds into a vibrant musical fabric.” If ever there were an homage to Bob Marley’s powerful impact on African music, this would be it. Totally worth a listen or several. It’ll get you and the kids all up dancing!
Remember 
I’m a big fan of music and enjoy hip-hop, but as you and I both know the hip-hop music of todays era that you hear on the radio isn’t really suitable for young ears. Those same young ears that crave music with a good beat. Who also love to listen to the radio or a good kid’s CD in the car while Mom or Dad is driving.
