November 2008 New Specialty Toys — Audio & CD

Created by Rob and Lisi Wolf, this 14-track, 42-minute album features acoustic version of songs by Neil Diamond, Fleetwood Mac, The Beatles and others. The product is made in the United States, using recyclable materials.

This folk storytelling album features the voices of Tim Jennings and Leanne Ponder, with Celtic music from a harp and concertina played between the tales. Tapping into the excitement of ancient storytelling, the narrators represent multiple characters in a range of tones suited to the stories, which are both funny and frightening. Launch date: 1997.

With hip-hop, reggae and R&B grooves, the CD gets everyone dancing and singing while counting, spelling and learning. Kids love the high-energy sound and educational messages, and parents will be surprised and engaged by the cool and unconventional songs. The CD has been applauded nationally by parenting publications, teachers and music critics. It received a 2008 Parents' Choice Award and a 2008 National Parenting Publications Award. "Alphabet Rockers provides educational hip-hop to the preK-1st grade market, which is more often saturated with folk and traditional children's music," Kaitlin McGaw, co-owner of School Time Music, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 23, 2007.

This energetic album, featuring vocalist and guitarist Matthew Pryor, drummer Bill Belzer, guitarist Dustin Kinsey and bassist Eric McCann, is full of "playground pop" songs that were inspired by Pryor's kids. The family-friendly, 16-track CD includes homegrown themes set to upbeat rhythms and cool melodies.

"Tom Glazer Sings Honk-Hiss-Tweet-GGGGGGGG and Other Favorites" is a delightful collection of children's music recorded live from the 1950s to the 1970s. Among the 24 remastered songs are irresistible favorites like "Skip to My Lou," "This Old Man," and "Hush Little Baby," as well as original songs composed by Glazer and unique renditions of folk classics from around the world. With intimate liner notes by John, Peter and Diana Wasserman Glazer, including lyrics to the songs, "Tom Glazer Sings Honk-Hiss-Tweet-GGGGGGGG and Other Favorites" introduces Glazer's legacy to the children of the twenty-first century. Launch date: October 28, 2008.

This album, dubbed a "14-track ode to childhood wonder," blends bluegrass, classical symphonic sounds and Indie charm. In addition to providing the primary vocals, artist Danielle Sansone plays piano and acoustic guitar for this collection of love songs that includes "Bed of Roses," "Whisper" and "There is You." Launch date: 2008.

Featured as a finalist on "Britain's Got Talent" television show in 2007, 7-year-old Connie Talbot sings songs including "Over the Rainbow," "My Favorite Things," "I Will Always Love You" and "You Raise Me Up" on this 12-track album. Update 10/23/08: Since her fall 2008 debut in the States, Connie is #2 in the Billboard top-100 single sales, #7 on the Billboard National Heatseekers album chart, #8 in the Billboard Kids audio national album chart and an entry in the Indy top 50. Launch date: October 14, 2008.

Ratz in the House features eight original hit songs about reading, writing and math.

Features new spins on 10 popular holiday classics. Includes printed lyrics for easy Sing-Along.

This 19-track album is specially created to get kids moving while also aiding the learning process. It features original music by Don and Laurie Monopoli of the Learning Station, both of whom collaborated with Dr. Becky Bailey of Loving Guidance Inc. on the lyrics. Stop-and-go activities boost attention spans, songs for breathing and stretching help relieve stress, and "connecting songs" improve impulse control skills. Tracks include "Itsy Ditsy Spider," "Boogie Rock," "Watch Me Listen" and "It's a Marvelous Day." "Music and movement is part of every young child's life. Why not make those movements into brain-boosting experiences that help those little brains grow?" asked Laurie Monopoli, educational coordinator for The Learning Station. This CD received a 2008 CD of the Year Award from Creative Child Magazine, as well as a 2008 Directors' Choice Award. It was also named one of Dr. Toy's 100 Best Children's Products and 10 Best Audio-Video Products for 2008. The album is available on the company's website in both CD and downloadable formats. Both include a 20-page booklet with lyrics, movements and brain-boosting activities. Launch date: May 15, 2008.

Refreshingly original, Grinning Streak includes some songs that are just plain goofy, a rap song about brushing your teeth, a beautiful lullaby, and songs about spaghetti, toes, connection, snorkeling, super-powers, and skin ... all in one package! “Linda Severt is the Beatles of Children's music. What she can do in a studio is mind blowing. Yowza!” -Chameleon Performance. This CD won a 2008 "Seal of Excellence" from Creative Child Magazine. Launch date: 04/01/2008.

Consisting of classic nursery rhymes, these delightful selections are both spoken and sung, and ALL have music accompanying them. What fun to remember “Hey Diddle Diddle,” “Humpty Dumpty,” “The Muffin Man,” “Pop Goes the Weasel,” “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” and even the “House That Jack Built!” Many other favorite nursery rhymes are also included, using children and adults to sing and tell the tales.

Belle, Ariel, Cinderella, Snow White, and Aurora have a tea party with your daughter singing HER name! Every little girl can be a Princess; it says so right in the music!

You Can Do Anything is from the Huesman/Davis Mediak team and is the long-awaited sequel to the original Playtime CD.  With all original music, it uses the child’s name an amazing 106 times!

Thirteen tracks of playful music from all over Africa, Putumayo's African Playground is a colorful array of tunes for dancing, singing, and playing. Putumayo's celebration of these deep musical traditions introduces children to aspects of many cultures, and liner notes included with the CD provide fun facts about the artists.
- “[We] sell about 100 per month” of Putumayo CDs, Tina Benoit, Operations Manager of Kidstown in So. Burlington, Vt., told TDmonthly in July 2008.
- Almost 20 percent of 68 retailers surveyed in summer 2008 listed Putumayo as their top-selling line of children's music.
- “These songs provide a sampling of African musical styles and a calm, restful listening spot for your day,” said Beth Blenz-Clucas, publicist for Putumayo Kids.