By Scott Ferguson September 2003

Songs and Music Category

Title: Down At The Zoo
Ages: 4 and up
Manufacturer: Shrub Music/Trace Elements (ToyShow)

Review: A jumping mix of Cajun, New Orleans, Funk, Samba, Tex-Mex and Western Swing styles makes this tribute to the zoo equally appealing to kids and adults. Authentic arrangements are executed with authority by George Carver and Malcolm "Papa Mali" Welbourne and their excellent band. Great stories and a recording you'll look forward to hearing again.

Awards: ToyDirectory CD of the Month.

Highlights: “Jungle Swingers,” “The Petting Zoo,” “Snake House”

Media Category

Title: Baby Prodigy
Ages: Infant to 4 Years Old
Manufacturer: The Baby Prodigy Company (ToyShow)

Review: Filled from the get-go with simple yet intriguing images set to baby-friendly arrangements of classical music, Baby Prodigy is a wonderful audio/video introduction to the world of learning. Through moving mechanical toys, stuffed animals and geometric images, puppet host Dookie Duck exposes word concepts, spatial relationships, reasoning, and cause and effect to the pre-literate set with humor and warmth.

Based on learning research that postulates sensory experiences (hearing, seeing, touching, feeling and tasting) actually teach brain cells their jobs, this award-winning production simultaneously stimulates youngsters and promotes concentration via the quick, but measured pace of the unfolding images and accompanying score.

Title: King Otis and the Kingdom of Goode: A Tale of Patience
Ages: 3 Years and Up
Manufacturer: So Smart Productions

Review: King Otis and Queen Mabel lead their animated children through a captivating adventure tale of environmental crisis that illustrates moral, social and ethical values. Narrated in easily understood language, this visually stylish production is accompanied by several interactive DVD features, including character-drawing prompts and charming music video selections.

Title: Wiggles N’ Tunes Singin’ Collection
Ages: 2 Years and Up
Manufacturer: Wiggles N’ Tunes, Inc.

Review: An adjunct to the Wiggles N’ Tunes early childhood music and movement curriculum, the Singin’ Along CD coaxes preschoolers and their caregivers into sing-along and movement responses, teaching tonal and rhythmic patterns as well as having fun in a musical-play environment.

Also available is the Wigglin’ Collection CD and an extensive music education system based on the combined music teaching of Suzuki, Dalcrose, Orff and Kodaly, which the Discovery Zone called a “hands-down, parent-pleasing children’s favorite.”

Writer's Bio: Scott Ferguson is a writer, composer and family man. Since graduating from Oberlin College, Scott has seen his music in films and commercials, won awards for his copywriting/composing for various advertising clients and received a Grammy-nomination for his music production of Robben Ford’s “Talk To Your Daughter” album for Warner Bros. Records.

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