TDmonthly's ToyFair 2006 Preview--Audio & CD Product Category

Rock Daddy Rock by POWER ARTS COMPANY, INC.

This music CD has songs about the everyday lives of kids and their silly, gross and wonderful behaviors. Life lessons give each song a happy ending. The short 1- to 2-minute song lengths and variety of styles keep families entertained for the whole CD. "It dares to discuss fighting, biting, boogers, burps, diapers, dirt and warts in an educational and entertaining way," said Chris Bihuniak, Songwriter, Musician, Producer, Owner of 4Boys. Launch date: 07/01/2008 8/25/2008 (Price: $12.99)

Our Silly Farm Adventure by PROFESSOR POCKET LLC

Follow Professor Pocket, Desi the Dinosaur and Chico the Chicken on a bilingual musical adventure to visit the very unique and magical farm where Chico was born. Listeners will be delighted to learn that pigs drive tractors, cows make chocolate milk and horses fly at this farm, where nothing is what it seems. A silly bilingual storyline, five original songs and a remake of the popular Latin American folk song, “Los Pollitos”, are sure to get the whole family singing and speaking along in Spanish. It's a Dr. Toy Best Products award winner. "Professor Pocket takes a completely fresh approach to language introduction," said Paula Jorge Guglielmino, co-founder of Professor Pocket. "Instead of bombarding listeners with vocabulary words, we seamlessly weave English and Spanish storytelling throughout our CDs and reinforce key concepts and vocabulary through songs." Launch date: 02/20/2007 8/25/2008 (Price: $15.95)

Peanut Butter and JAM by Charity and the JAMband

The first CD by the rockin', groovin' Charity and the JAMband met with both critical acclaim and audience adoration. The groovin' hit, Peanut Butter and JAM, starts the collection off with an irresistible buzz, cool harmonies and funky rhythms. The music continues to inspire, telling stories to inspire dancing and dramatic play. "These songs are dancable and singable, well-crafted and joy-inspired, and appeal to parents and kids alike," said Charity Kahn, Owner/Artist of JAM. This compilation won a 2004 Parents' Choice Approved Award and a 2006 Children's Music Web Gold Award. Launch date: 04/04/2004 8/25/2008 (Price: $15.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Wai Lana's Little Yogis™ Daydream Kit by WAI LANA

This charming collection makes naptime a welcome treat for everyone. Perfect for traveling, car rides and daycare, it includes an animated Daydream DVD, the Daydream CD, the Daydream Coloring Book and Daydream Game Cards. "Daydream helps bring a deep sense of calm and inner balance to kids ... and parents," Anna Matthews, customer service representative for Wai Lana, told TDmonthly. Launch date: August 8, 2008. 8/21/2008 (Price: $34.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Wai Lana's Little Yogis™ Fun Songs Kit by WAI LANA

The Fun Songs Activity Kit entertains little ones as it nurtures their attraction to lifelong habits that will help them be healthy, happy and balanced. The whole family will enjoy all of the goodies in this delightful kit: the Fun Songs CD, a lyrics book, game cards, an activity book and stickers. It features "unique, fun and charming characters," Anna Matthews, customer service representative for Wai Lana, told TDmonthly. Launch date: August 8, 2008. 8/21/2008 (Price: $32.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Grinning Streak by LINDA SEVERT

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. 8/21/2008 (Price: $13.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Smart Fitness, Smart Foods by KIMBO EDUCATIONAL

Fitness and nutrition go hand in hand, and this CD offers both. Guided daily workout routines — warm up, aerobic exercise, cool down and brain-based moves to promote learning — are followed by fun and movtivating songs to help children make healthy food and lifestyle choices. Launch date: August 22, 2008. 8/21/2008 (Price: $15.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Dinosaurs Giant Floor Puzzle & Music CD by TWIN SISTERS PRODUCTIONS

This beautifully illustrated floor puzzle measures 2' x 3' with 48 jumbo pieces, and features dinosaurs and prehistoric reptiles. A bonus music CD features songs that teach about paleontology, the Brachiosaurus, the Tyrannosaurus Rex, the Stegosaurus and more. Launch date: October 2008. 8/21/2008 (Price: $14.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

The Ultimate Lullaby Collection by TWIN SISTERS PRODUCTIONS

One of six new gift sets from Twin Sisters Productions, the Ultimate Lullaby Collection features four music CDs with lullabies and classical music, plus a 48-page, full-color scrapbook ready for photographs and notes about baby's first year. The CDs and memory book are stored in an attractive hard-cover book. It's "an affordable, unique, beautiful giftbook for any special baby!" Ken Carder, in product development for Twin Sisters Productions, told TDmonthly. Launch date: September 15, 2008. 8/21/2008 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

30 Toddler Songs by TWIN SISTERS PRODUCTIONS

This recent addition to the best-selling "30 Song" series allows users to print the PDF lyrics from a computer. Other titles include: "30 Preschool Songs," "30 Party Songs," "30 Learning Songs," "30 Nursery Rhymes" and "30 Silly Songs." The CD features "kid-friendly arrangments of traditional children's songs and many brand-new songs from the leader in children's educational music," Ken Carder, in product development for Twin Sisters Productions, told TDmonthly. Launch date: August 2008. 8/21/2008 (Price: $6.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

102 Children's Songs Preloaded MP3 Player by TWIN SISTERS PRODUCTIONS

This preloaded MP3 player includes classic children’s songs like "B-I-N-G-O," "This Old Man" and more! Original learning songs teach the alphabet, colors, shapes, numbers, counting, personal safety rules and more, and kids can sing and wiggle with "John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt," "I Met a Bear" and other silly songs. "There's nothing left to do but listen!" Product Development Manager Ken Carder of Twin Sisters Productions told TDmonthly. "No downloads, no playlists to manage [and] no concerns about inappropriate content." Launch date: February 15, 2008. 8/21/2008 (Price: $39.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

A Child's Christmas: Holiday Songs & Carols by ROCK ME BABY RECORDS

"A Child’s Christmas: Holiday Songs & Carols" offers a mix of children’s favorite holiday songs, beautifully arranged traditional carols, two stories and more to get families in the mood for Christmas. The CD contains 74 minutes of entertainment, song lyrics, and beautiful, 100-percent-recycled cardboard booklets. "Rock Me Baby Records offers collections of traditional songs (with a twist) that bridge generations with music and can become the soundtrack to a young child's life," VP Amy Steadman of Rock Me Baby Records told TDmonthly. This product received an iParenting Media Award. Launch date: September 2, 2008. 8/21/2008 (Price: $13.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

A Bailar! Let's Dance! by WHISTLEFRITZ

This award-winning CD of Spanish songs for children is full of fun, upbeat songs that teach children Spanish vocabulary, including letters, numbers, colors, parts of the body, activities and more. It surveys the wide landscape of Latin rhythms from salsa and merengue to corridos, cumbias, rumbas, rancheras and rock and roll. "The CD includes a Parents' and Teachers' Translation Guide that translates every word in the CD, as well as including all lyrics," CEO Heidi Stock of Whistlefritz told TDmonthly. This product received a 2008 iParenting Media Award. Launch date: May 21, 2008. 8/21/2008 (Price: $14.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Personalized Children's CDs by FUNSHINE MUSIC

Personalized children's CDs sing or say your child's name multiple times. A personal message printed on the label makes it even more special. More than 4,000 phonetic names are available in 50+ collections. Funshine Music represents the BEST producers of these unique gifts for kids. "The ability to represent the top four producers from just one source — Funshine Music — [creates] a one-stop shopping opportunity for personalized music," said Owner Tricia Shelton of Funshine Music, noting that she reps Mediak, Just Me! Music, Kids' Juke Box/Marvel for Kids, and That's Me Sports. Launch date: 2008. 8/21/2008 (Price: $20.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Lovely Baby & Mommy by LOVELY BABY MUSIC

Lovely Baby creator, Raimond Lap, has composed a collection of 10 special songs celebrating the importance of moms everywhere, and their integral role in their baby's development. This unique collection will surely strengthen the natural bond between mother and child. "Lovely Baby is the only original music series in the world specifically created for babies. Virtually all others consist of music that is altered and rehashed to appeal to parents, with no regard for how it might affect babies," Gary Brody, president of Lovely Baby Music, told TDmonthly. 8/21/2008 (Price: $15.98)

Baby Christmas 2 by LOVELY BABY MUSIC

Due to the overwhelming reaction to the original "Baby Christmas" CD, Raimond Lap returned to the studio to create the "Baby Christmas 2" CD. It features eleven beautiful songs for this special time of year, including four original compositions. "Lovely Baby is the only original music series in the world specifically created for babies. Virtually all others consist of music that is altered and rehashed to appeal to parents, with no regard for how it might affect babies," Gary Brody, president of Lovely Baby Music, told TDmonthly. Launch date: December 2007. 8/21/2008 (Price: $15.98)

Fun Time Nursery Rhymes by FUNSHINE MUSIC

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. 8/18/2008 (Price: $18.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Disney Princess Tea Party by FUNSHINE MUSIC

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! 8/18/2008 (Price: $29.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

You Can Do Anything by FUNSHINE 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! 8/18/2008 (Price: $18.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Makin' Waves by LEONARDO MUSIC

Leonardo's second CD is full of positive messages for kids, supported by a teen chorus and rock 'n' roll band. The 15-track album features choruses suitable for sing-alongs and displays a number of instruments, including guitars, drums, a flute and even a ukulele. Songs include "Surfin' on my Guitar," "Under the Sea" and "Showtime." 8/15/2008 (Price: $12.99)

Catchy Tune by CASABLANCA KIDS INC.

Jack Grunsky has been creating music and entertaining children for over 25 years. His unique multi-cultural approach to music incorporates authentic instruments, rhythms, melodies and arrangements from around the world. A winner of many awards, including three JUNO Awards for Best Children’s Recording, several Parents’ Choice Gold Awards, NAPPA Gold Awards, and iParenting Media Awards, including Outstanding Product 2008, Jack has been compared to Paul Simon and Justin Timberlake in the world of children’s music. Jack’s latest CD, "Catchy Tune," is a collection of energetic, upbeat songs, with clever lyrics and Jack’s trademark rich, cultural sounds. Children ages 0 to 6 and their parents will enjoy grooving to Jack Grunsky’s fun-natured songs. "This collection of original songs with a sophisticated combination of rhythm, beat and melodies that evoke, introduce & emulate music from around the world," said Jeniel Arrubio of Casablanca Kids. Retailers: mention ToyDirectory for a discount on shipping. Launch date: 08/12/2008 8/14/2008 (Price: $9.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

African Playground by PUTUMAYO KIDS

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. 8/12/2008 (Price: $14.98) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Bongo Bi-Lingo Buddy Audio Coloring Booklet by BONGO CATS INC.

Keep children entertained with this audio coloring book. The story unfolds as kids color in the pages while listening to the audio playback, which is available in both English and Spanish. 7/30/2008 (Price: $7.49) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Wee Sing Under the Sea by WEE SING PRODUCTIONS

Have you ever wanted to spend a day with an octopus, a starfish, a sea otter, or a penguin? Well, now you can with Wee Sing Under the Sea. Enter the beautiful world beneath the waves as you join Devin and his loveable Granny on their sparkling underwater adventure. Peek through the seaweed and meet Ink the Octopus, Missy Turtle, Spike the Puffer Fish, and all their aquatic acquaintances as they try to help Weeber the Penguin find his way back to the South Pole. Plus, see if they can figure out what’s ailing little Baby Ottie the Sea Otter. Come sing, dance, and swim along with over 20 classic and original songs and join the whole wet and wonderful gang as you discover that the special world of Wee Sing even exists Under the Sea! 7/24/2008 (Price: $14.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Wee Sing The Big Rock Candy Mountains by WEE SING PRODUCTIONS

What would it be like to slide into a world of ice cream mountains and lemonade streams? Come and see in The Big Rock Candy Mountains! Follow Lisa and her friends, the Snoodle Doodles, on a scrumptious musical adventure to a magical land right out of a child’s dream. 7/16/2008 (Price: $14.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]