TDmonthly's Toy Fair 2007 Preview
Category: Music

Keller Williams' Kids by MADISON HOUSE INC

With Kids, Keller creates a style of family music that's all his own, and reaches his young audience in a way that matters. While other performers play for kids, Keller plays with them. For the album, Keller takes influences of traditional bluegrass, 'Chester & Lester' innovative guitar technique, Robin Williams, and Bobby McFerrin. 11/2/2010 (Price: $14.98) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Monkey Monkey Music: The Videos with Meredith by MONKEY MONKEY MUSIC

With the help of her animated and real friends, Meredith LeVande sings 15 catchy children’s songs about everyday concepts to which young children can relate. Each is brought to life on video. No two segments are exactly alike; there is a lot of variety of video technique and each segment is uniquely choreographed. 10/29/2010 (Price: $19.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Buckwheat Zydeco's Bayou Boogie by MUSIC FOR LITTLE PEOPLE/MFLP DISTRIBUTION

“Ambassador of Zydeco” Buckwheat Zydeco combines organ, accordion, guitar and more to craft this tribute to Creole music. Guest stars aplenty and hip updates (like “Zydeco In Space”) add to the spicy musical stew.
— “If you can name a single zydeco artist -- a big "if" for most people -- I would bet money that it's Buckwheat Zydeco,” wagered Christopher Healy of ParentDish.  Christopher described Bayou Boogie as a “definitely different” “raucous party CD” where the “Cajun sound is layered over classic kid tunes ("Hokey Pokey"), '60s hits ("Twist and Shout") and original songs.”
— Midwest Book Review admired Bayou Boogie for being “an enthusiastic, joyful cacophony” that “introduces young listeners to the musical traditions of the bayou.” Midwest Book Review recommended this “delightful children's album” as “an excellent choice as a gift CD.” 10/27/2010 (Price: $14.98) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Ferdinand the Bull and Friends by NORTH PACIFIC MUSIC

Actor David Ogden Stiers narrates this CD featuring The Story of Ferdinand the Bull, The Carnival of the Animals, and Mother Goose Suite. Over 72 minutes long, the cello and piano arrangements make Ferdinand the Bull and Friends a perfect record for bedtime.
— 29 reviewers on Amazon gave Ferdinand the Bull and Friends five out of five stars. Raved Amazon user Ken N., “Mark Fish has created a modern classic that doesn't sound out of place alongside the works of Saint-Saens, Ravel and Bach. David Ogden Stiers breathes life into these wonderful stories and poems, and Nina Flyer and Chie Nagatani display strong, thoughtful musicianship throughout.” Alex B. Houston “really enjoyed the arrangements in the funny Ogden Nash section, which had individual drawings/poems for us to follow along with.” Allan C. “curled up and listened to it all, like spending the evening getting into a great book. Fish's arrangements are glowing and gracious, and the players do a wonderful job bringing them to life, playing with wide-ranging orchestral color.” 10/27/2010 (Price: $16.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Mind of My Own by FRANCES ENGLAND

Mind of My Own is the third album from kindie artist Frances England. With a little help from the Mates of State and songs like “Jacques Cousteau” and “Cookies & Milk,” Frances England appeals to kids and parents alike.
— “Frances England’s song writing truly reflects the life of a family and all of the fun moments both children and parents share!” explained Kristin of Take It From Me. Kristin added that she “loved the song "To Be," which reminded me off my daughter’s aspiring and hopeful spirit!”
— Amber Bobnar from Hilltown Families queried: “You know when you hear an artist for the first time and they just grab you? That’s what happened for me when I heard Frances England’s new CD Mind of My Own.” Amber praised the CD for its “a frenetic energy that is exciting and contagious.” 10/27/2010 (Price: $14.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Maria Muldaur's Barnyard Dance by MUSIC FOR LITTLE PEOPLE/MFLP DISTRIBUTION

Maria Muldaur’s Barnyard Dance: Jug Band Music for Kids strives to create a musical party with upbeat and carefree jug band style. The twelve homegrown tracks include “I Love To Ride My Camel” and “Under The Chicken Tree.”
— “If there's a more passionate purveyor of American musical tradition than Muldaur please do me a favor and send me their names,” requested Mike Jurkovic of the Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange.  According to Mike, “Muldaur's beautiful gift of bringing the past alive” ensures that anyone “within hearing radius will be hummin', strummin', kazooin', and kickin' up their heels when they hear this swinging, breathing collection.” 10/27/2010 (Price: $13.98) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

FUNKY KIDZ by ASAP PRODUCTIONS, INC.

The Creative Child "Album of the Year" winner introduces children to the sophisticated instrumentation of New Orleans style music, while keeping them entertained with classics like "Zip a Dee Doo Dah" and "Yellow Submarine".  Each song is stylized and funkified by one of New Orleans' acclaimed artists (Ivan Neville of Neville Brothers, Radiators etc.) and a portion of all proceeds goes toward music education in classrooms.
Awards:  2009 Creative Child "Album of the Year, 2008 Creative Child "Preferred Choice." 10/19/2010 (Price: $13.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Sing Me To Sleep - Indie Lullabies by AMERICAN LAUNDROMAT RECORDS

This collection features re-recorded lullabies and popular songs whimsically re-imagined as lullabies by some of today's most notable indie artists. "We reinvent what it means to be a lullaby allowing indie-hipster parents to enjoy our CD just as much as their children do," American Laundromat Records Founder and President Joseph H. Spadaro told TDmonthly.
— “Chockfull of surprises,” said SoundXP’s Paul M of the CD, “it’s like a musical jamboree bag, perfect for savvy toddlers and their funloving carers.” Paul praised the inclusion of “a lot of quirky numbers like Little Boxes by The Real Tuesday Weld and Inchworm by The Leisure Society” and the charity nature of the album.
— Jason of CT Indie had high expectations for the CD, but he “had no idea how touching it would be. Hearing this record was like when all the Whos down in Whoville started singing, making the Grinch's small heart grow three sizes.” He loved “every note of this record” and found it “perfectly suitable for softly fading evenings.”
Awards: 2010 NAPPA Gold 10/18/2010 (Price: $13.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Cha, Cha, Cha - Spanish Learning Songs by WHISTLEFRITZ

A colorful clever collection of Spanish songs for children performed by award-winning singer and songwriter Jorge Anaya, Whistlefritz’s latest release is a mix of lively Latin rhythms.  Samba to Las Vocales (The Vowels), cha cha to Los Números (The Numbers), and polka to Que Llueva (Let it Rain). Cha, Cha, Cha makes learning Spanish exhilirating, educational, and fun.  A translation guide is included, providing an easy reference for parents and teachers. It's a great way to expand vocabulary and become bilingual.
Awards: Dr. Toy 100 Best Children's Products - 2010 10/11/2010 (Price: $14.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Little Pim Spanish Deluxe Gift Set by LITTLE PIM CO.

The Little Pim Spanish Deluxe Gift Set includes DVDs 1, 2, and 3 in Spanish, Little Pim Spanish Bop music CD, Spanish Word and Phrase Cards, and an 8” plush panda packaged in a clear reusable tote. Themes include eating and drinking (Disc 1), wake up smiling (Disc 2), and playtime (Disc 3). Each DVD has a run time of 35 minutes, presented in seven short episodes to keep young minds engaged.
Awards: Dr. Toy 100 Best Children's Products - 2010 ( Watch Video) 10/11/2010 (Price: $84.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Vibe IT by WIDE IDEAS INC.

Vibe IT is a fun way to listen to your favorite music, movie or play a game on your portable device. Vibe IT turns almost anything into a speaker, just remove the acoustic generator from the Vibe IT cube and place it on any hollow or an object that can vibrate. With the reusable sticky material found on the acoustic generator, it will stick to any object and turn that object into a speaker. 10/5/2010 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Jungle Gym by JUSTIN ROBERTS

Jungle Gym aims to ascend through the collective memories of childhood, from the joys of trick or treating and sleepovers to the magic stillness of snow days and gym class parachutes. The recording takes listeners on a journey through iconic experiences that kids will relate to and parents will remember. It's an often funny and unexpectedly rocking ride, from magic moments sailing on a moonlit cardboard box, through the temporary traumas of getting lost, to the anticipation and wonder of a school fire drill. Giant pounding drums, vintage electric guitars, strange and fanciful time changes, soaring vocals and elegant French horns yearn toward the conquering heights of the jungle gym. Awards: Parent's Choice Foundation Audio Award Fall 2010 10/1/2010

Uncle Rock: The Big Picture by JACKPOT MUSIC

Uncle Rock's fourth CD is a salute to his musical heroes, with stylistic nods to Bowie, the Stones, Cat Stevens, and Johnny Cash. This album is cross-generational rock written for kids ages 2 to 92. Awards: Parent's Choice Foundation Audio Award Fall 2010
 10/1/2010 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Purple Puppy Dog by SLICK PUPPY MUSIC INC

The Purple Puppy Dog CD is a one-of-a-kind compilation of all-time hits rewritten and re-recorded especially for kids who love dogs, as well as their dog-loving parents and grandparents. The upbeat collection includes the favorite "Dogs Just Want to Have Fun" (a remake of the Cyndi Lauper hit) plus nine more.  9/23/2010 (Price: $12.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Earthworm Ensemble by EARTHWORM ENSEMBLE

Earthworm Ensemble is folk-country-rock children’s music designed for the whole family. This album features artists including I See Hawks In L.A., The Chapin Sisters and Mike Stinson, along with Southern California roots musicians David Jackson and Brantley Kearns, who have worked with John Denver, Dwight Yoakam and Emmylou Harris. The lyrics are fun, subtly informative and timely, reflecting eco themes and a return to do-it-yourself values. There are songs about trains, birds, buffalo migration, the earthworm’s role in the earth’s life cycle, an eco superhero bear and dog team, and a spaghetti western ballad about the magic of walking in the woods. A sweet lullaby about flying through space closes out the CD.
Awards: 2010 Parents Choice Silver Award 9/23/2010 (Price: $15.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Take It Outside by OKEE DOKEE MUSIC

The Okee Dokee Brothers deliver a collection of 13 original songs designed to get families on their feet and out of the house. Take It Outside offers enough witty wordplay, musical sophistication and food for thought for listeners of any age. The Okee Dokee Brothers, the Twin Cities duo of Joe Mailander and Justin Lansing, won national notice for their first release, Kids with Beards (2008). The album was produced by Grammy Award nominee Tor Hyams and features Adam Levy of the Honeydogs. Awards: Parent's Choice Foundation Audio Award Fall 2010 9/23/2010 (Price: $14.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Headphonies: Striker by MOBI Technologies, Inc.

Combining music, design and attitude, Mobi Headphonies are playful, portable 3” characters with built-in amplified speakers. Available in a variety of quirky characters, Headphonies hosts a built-in hi-fi amplifier, internal rechargeable battery and can play for four to eight hours. It comes with an audio cable, a USB charging cable and a keyring clip for attachment to bags or other accessories. Headphonies can work with MP3 players, portable DVD players, computers and most mobile devices. 9/14/2010 (Price: $24.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Sunny Day by SMITHSONIAN FOLKWAYS RECORDINGS

A true family affair, "Sunny Day" features performances with Elizabeth Mitchell’s husband and musical partner, Daniel Littleton, their nine-year-old daughter Storey and Storey's cousins and friends. The album features two original songs written by Storey, and guest performers include Levon Helm, Dan Zanes, Jon Langford (Mekons), and the Children of Agape Choir of South Africa. There is something here for every musical taste, from traditional American folk songs, to Japanese and Korean nursery songs, to fresh new arrangements of popular songs. "Elizabeth Mitchell and her group offer "handmade music" without glitsiness. It's honest and entertaining," Sugar Mountain PR's Beth Blenz-Clucas told TDmonthly.
Awards: Dr. Toy 100 Best Children's Products - 2010 9/13/2010 (Price: $12.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Secret Agent 23 Skidoo - Underground Playground by KOCH ENTERTAINMENT

Secret Agent 23 Skidoo, a pioneer in the child-friendly hip-hop known as kid-hop, returns with old school funk on the 16-track Underground Playground. Agent 23 Skidoo honors hip-hop heritage, adds fresh beats and mixes in the magic of childhood.
—Myles McDonnell of You Know, For Kids praised Agent 23 Skidoo’s lyrics, which “convey positive messages on subjects like friendship (‘Secret Handshake’) and honesty (the Public Enemy–tinged ‘Speak the Truth’) without ever getting finger-waggy, or losing the loose sense of fun that’s the core of so much quality hip-hop.” The positive lyrics are paired with “top-notch, catchy and addictive” beats.
— Toni Morton of Toni’s Treehouse tells kid-hop doubters to “think again, because Skidoo can absolutely hold his own, even while throwing out verses designed for a younger audience.” Overall, “Skidoo is a strong rapper, his rhymes are solid, the music is catchy, the stories are great, he has a good sense of humor and we love to hear something other than rock or country for kids.” 9/9/2010 (Price: $15.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Beautiful Baby, Wonderful Child by CHILDREN INC.

The Beautiful Baby, Wonderful Child songs celebrate the powerful connection between a caregiver and infant. This connection is the secure base from which the toddler begins to explore their world. These songs, geared for ages 0 to 3, have underlying themes of attachment, initiative and self-regulation, which are critical to infants’ and toddlers’ early development. Awards: 2009 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Audio Award 9/1/2010 (Price: $15.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

I Can Settle Down by CHILDREN INC.

This collection of songs is designed to teach children self-regulation, coping skills, increased attention span and self-soothing techniques. The skills associated with self-control allow children to get along with peers and adults and participate in an array of activities and experiences. These songs encourage children to see rules as positive tools for self management. Awards: 2010 Creative Child Magazine CD of the Year 9/1/2010 (Price: $15.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

My Box of Dreams by CHILDREN INC.

These songs are designed to create a soothing atmosphere that helps children make the transition to sleep calmly. The album aims to relieve the anxiety of bedtime/naptime, and strengthen the bond between parent/teacher and child. 9/1/2010 (Price: $15.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

New Day by CHILDREN INC.

The songs featured on New Day were developed to teach hope to children and give hope to teachers/parents. They are designed to help children internalize positive “self-talk” and anticipate a future of accomplishment and confidence. Based on the field of positive psychology, these songs teach children how to better handle negative life experiences, develop a future orientation and develop positive feelings about his/herself and the world in general. The album features the music of Mary Hulefeld and David Kisor. 9/1/2010 (Price: $15.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Feeling Positive by CHILDREN INC.

The music from Feeling Positive is based on the key findings from the field of positive psychology. The lyrics convey messages from positive psychology and the rich music orchestrates experiences of “positivity” for parents and children alike. This CD is designed to help children develop important character strengths such as curiosity, hope, optimism, kindness and gratitude. 9/1/2010 (Price: $15.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Robot Dance by MR. LEEBOT

“Robot Dance,” the first album from Mr. Leebot, is a electric powered tribute to the synthetic sounds of the 80’s. Drawing inspiration from Devo and Talking Heads, Mr. Leebot brings new wave to kids across sixteen tracks with names like “Rumbling Tummy” and “It Wasn’t Me.”
— Charles of A Child Grows reports that the songs on “Robot Dance” live up to the CD’s title; their electronic rhythms are sure to inspire breakdancing and doing the robot. Charles warns parents, however, that “Mr. Leebot’s sound is so unmistakably 80’s throughout the CD that unless your family can’t get enough of the dance sounds of Yo Gabba Gabba!, you may not be able to sit through the entire sixteen tracks on the CD.”
— Nugget Island’s Matthew Siden calls the album “a keytar classic.” According to Matthew, highlights of the CD include “’Paper Airplane’ and wear-your-helmet song ‘Protect Your Nog’ [which] serve as proof that a poppy kids’ song can meld with bleepy programming and actually work.” 8/31/2010 (Price: $12.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]