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

New Orleans Christmas by PUTUMAYO KIDS

Now kids can deck the halls with blues, jazz and swing holiday classics from the Big Easay. Bands and singers from Big Al Carson, James Andrew and the New Birth Brass Band summon up the spirit of Christmas. Part of Putumayo’s efforts to offer relief to victims of 2005’s Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans Christmas gets everyone in the spirit of giving. A portion of the proceeds from the sales of this CD will be donated to the New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity. 9/5/2006 (Price: $14.98) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

New Orleans Playground by PUTUMAYO KIDS

New Orleans is one of the world’s great cultural crossroads, and children who grow up there are steeped in the music of the city. Now, kids everywhere can enjoy the mood-lifting music of the Big Easy with "New Orleans Playground." Part of Putumayo’s efforts to offer relief to victims of 2005’s Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans Playground lifts everyone’s spirits as artists from Fats Domino and Hack Bartholomew get their toes tapping. "A portion of the proceeds benefits the Louisiana Children’s Museum," Manager Mona Kayhan of Putumayo Kids told TDmonthly. Beth Blenz-Clucas of Sugar Mountain PR called attention to the native distinctiveness of the CD: “There really isn't another collection of New Orleans songs geared specifically toward children.” This product received a spring 2007 Parents' Choice Gold Award. Launch date: May 22, 2007. 9/5/2006 (Price: $14.98) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Wee Sing Grandpa's Magical Toys by WEE SING PRODUCTIONS

In this DVD adventure, Peter and his friends go to Grandpa's to see his toys, and before they know it, they find themselves magically shrinking to toy size. That's just the beginning in this delightful musical adventure. Kids will meet Punchinello the Clown, a singing British sailor, a jump-roping Little Dutch Girl, young Scottish dancers, and more, as they sing, dance, and serve up plenty of laughs. And when they help Grandpa solve a problem, everyone learns the importance of being young at heart. This colorful live-action, upbeat musical is sure to charm kids of all ages with over 20 familiar children's songs, jump rope rhymes, and clapping games. 8/29/2006 (Price: $14.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Wee Sing King Cole's Party by WEE SING PRODUCTIONS

In this DVD, children are invited to King Cole's party. They will join Jack and Jill, Little Boy Blue, and Mary (with her lamb) on their journey to the castle to celebrate 100 years of peace in the kingdom. Kids will meet the Six Little Ducks, Humpty Dumpty, and a host of other endearing nursery rhyme characters. This charming, fully orchestrated tale will have children everywhere singing and dancing to over 20 of their favorite nursery rhyme songs as they learn that gifts from the heart are the most special gifts of all. Running time: 54 minutes. 8/29/2006 (Price: $14.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Wee Sing Train by WEE SING PRODUCTIONS

Children everywhere will clap, hop, and sing along to the exhilarating song and dance numbers of the Wee Sing Train. In this magical story, Casey and Carter have finally finished creating their make-believe land when, magically, they become a part of it. Children will join Casey and Carter, and their curious toy elephant, as loveable guides Chug-a-Long the Engine and Cubby the Caboose take them on a wonderful adventure complete with musical cowboys, dancing paper dolls, and a singing vegetable patch. Packed with 20 memorable songs, colorful characters, and a special lesson about thinking before they act, the Wee Sing Train is a charming way to put kids on the right track. 8/29/2006 (Price: $14.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

The Bingo Kids Sing Motown Hits For Kids by BINGO RECORDS

Bop and bounce to the infectious rhythms and classic tunes of the Motown sound! Authentically re-created with great vocals sung by kids. “The music sounds just like the originals and the kids are great!” says Temptations guitarist Bill Neale. 15 Songs, including: Ain’t No Mountain, My Girl, Dancing In the Street, What’s Going On, You Can’t Hurry Love and more! 8/24/2006 (Price: $14.99)

Braincandy, My 5 Senses — Music and Sound Exploration CD by BRAINCANDY

This unique and yummy CD is the first from the multi-award-winning children’s company, Braincandy. The CD introduces fundamental instrumentations of various musical genres including reggae, classical, rockabilly, jazz and Latin, all of which are lightly peppered with funny and colorful sound effects that will engage your child like no other CD. Moms and dads will find the Braincandy-styled approach refreshing and diverse — this is great listening music for young and old. This is the first CD in a series of six awesome, aural explorations for your little listener. It was named one of the 100 Best Children’s Products of 2006 by Dr. Toy. This one-of-a-kind series offers very young children a chance to be challenged; it invites them in to be a part of the learning process. “Braincandy helps parents stimulate a child’s sense of imagination and a level of engagement we never saw with any of the products we introduced to our own children,” said Johnny Dagnen, co-founder and chief creative officer of Braincandy. 8/23/2006 (Price: $7.99)

Spin Your Web by MARY KAYE MUSIC

This is the third CD from award-winning children’s music recording artist Mary Kaye. "Spin Your Web" has received starred reviews in numerous publications. Mary's music has been played on children's radio shows across the United States and in England, Canada and Australia. Filled with fun characters, exciting journeys and musical surprises..."Spin Your Web" is a web of songs kids and adults can enjoy together. Songs include “Spin Your Web,” “Pig Party” and “The Skeleton Song.” 8/14/2006 (Price: $15.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

SteveSongs - Marvelous Day! by ROUNDER RECORDS

"Marvelous Day!" is a sprightly collection of 16 tunes that range from funky rock to ska and flute-y folk and power pop, all of which invite sing-along participation. The CD also blends a sophisticated mix of instruments, thanks to longtime SteveSongs band mates Anand Nayak (Daisy Mayem Band ) and Matt Steckler (Dead Cat Bounce). Children helped write three of the original songs on Marvelous Day! SteveSongs’ five albums have won numerous national awards. 8/7/2006 (Price: $14.98) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

My Best Day by TROUT FISHING IN AMERICA

"My Best Day" was recorded before a live audience in Arkansas on February 11, 2006, and sponsored by the Arkansas Educational Television Network. The 15 songs performed on “My Best Day” cover a range of topics and themes, from odes to friends whom we love despite the fact they talk too much, to alien nose invasions and snowflakes named Bob. "My Best Day" was a 2007 Grammy nominee for Best Musical Album for Children. "Trout Fishing in America has toured throughout the country, and this release celebrates 30 years of making music that parents can enjoy sharing with their kids," Karen Thom of Trout Fishing in America told TDmonthly.
 8/7/2006 (Price: $14.98) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Folk Playground by PUTUMAYO KIDS

Years ago, before the advances of modern technology gave us MP3 players and video phones, people used to get together with family and friends to make music. Gathered around the fireplace or sitting on the front porch, people of all ages would pull out instruments and sing traditional songs that had been passed down from previous generations. Parents learned from grandparents and children learned from parents. In this manner, a circle was created and the music was preserved for future generations to know, learn and love. This is the very essence of folk music, and its legacy continues on Folk Playground, the new family recording from Putumayo Kids. 7/27/2006 (Price: $14.98) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Reggae Playground by PUTUMAYO KIDS

This joyous new collection for kids and their families from Putumayo Kids features a festive selection of tunes that reflect the crossover appeal and worldwide influence of reggae – a genre that is beloved all over the globe. As Jacob Edgar, Putumayo’s resident ethnomusicologist notes,“Reggae is one of the most adaptable and influential styles. People can really blend the reggae vibe with their local music to create something that is influenced by reggae but has its own unique flavor.”
- “[My] best-selling CD is Putumayo Reggae Playground,” said Laurel Marvin Jacobs, of Science To Go in Tampa, Fla.
- Gwen Bowden, manager of Doodlehopper 4 Kids Springfield, Va., said Putumayo was her chosen line of children’s music. “We don't sell a lot of CDs, but we do sell Putumayo …quite a few.”
- “Customers come in and ask what [the owner] listens to and that's what drives the sales,” said Catherine Higgins of Stone Soup in Bar Harbor, Maine. 7/27/2006 (Price: $14.98) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Dreamland: World Lullabies and Soothing Songs by PUTUMAYO KIDS

Putumayo invites listeners to turn down the lights and relax to the tranquil melodies of beautiful lullabies and soothing songs from Africa, Europe, North and South America and Asia. More than simply a bedtime album for children, Dreamland: World Lullabies and Soothing Songs, features beautiful, universally appealing songs that will create a calm ambiance for people of all ages. Dreamland is the fifth recording in the acclaimed World Playground series of music and multicultural activity kits from Putumayo Kids. 7/27/2006 (Price: $14.98) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

World Playground by PUTUMAYO KIDS

After receiving hundreds of cards and letters from parents and teachers telling us how much children love dancing, singing, and listening to Putumayo CDs, we are pleased to release our first kid's CD. World Playground: A Musical Adventure for Kids is a collection of great songs from around the world that the family can enjoy together. This CD takes children and parents on a musical journey to faraway places where they can be introduced to other people and places around the world. A trip to the World Playground makes exploring other cultures a fun adventure for music fans of all ages. 7/27/2006 (Price: $14.98) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

The Berenstain Bears Save Christmas: The Musical by GOOD MOOD RECORDS

The new children’s/family holiday CD, ‘The Berenstain Bears Save Christmas: The Musical,’ has lyrics by the co-creator of the Berenstain Bears children’s books – the late Stan Berenstain – and music by the father-son team of 7-time Emmy Award winner Elliot Lawrence and 4-time Emmy Award winner Jamie Broza. This album – a jazzy take on a well-loved children’s story – had its genesis almost 30 years ago, when Elliot Lawrence worked with authors Stan and Jan Berenstain on animated Berenstain Bears television special. 7/24/2006 (Price: $11.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Dinosaur Holiday by MUSEUM MUSIC, INC.

This unique holiday album caters to dinosaur-aholics with such tracks as "The Allosaurus Chorus," (set to the tune of the "Hallelujah Chorus,") "Good Paleo Scientists" (set to the tune of "Good King Wenceslas,") and "Here We Go a Fossiling" (set to the tune of "Here We Go a Wassailing.") Songs are sung by Broadway stars and the Evergreen Choir. Al Roker even reads the poem "The Dinosaurs' Night Before Christmas" at the end of the album. A portion of each purchase goes to the American Museum of Natural History. 7/18/2006 (Price: $15.95)

Shushbye and Goodnight by KOCH ENTERTAINMENT

This is the first Shushybye music CD, and it features 12 tracks performed by the Shushybye Dream Band featuring Michael North, including "We Love the Shushies," "Do the Shushie Dance" and "The Shushybye Theme Song." The Shyshybye Dream Band is an exciting full-on rock combo. These are real musicians playing real music. 7/18/2006 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

The Wiggles Splish Splash Big Red Boat by KOCH ENTERTAINMENT

This CD takes kids on a delightful journey over, under and across the sea with familiar songs and new favorites that will make every Wiggle fan get up to dance and sing. As a special bonus, additional tracks from a second Wiggles DVD release, Wiggle Around the Clock, are included on this CD: Two Wiggles soundtracks on one wittle disk. 7/18/2006 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

The Wiggles Christmas Classics by KOCH ENTERTAINMENT

Kids can sing along to their favorite Christmas songs with one of their favorite kids' bands. The Wiggles give their cheeful twist to everything from "Silent Night" to "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" to  "Felice Navidad." Launch date: June 27, 2006. 7/18/2006 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Big Kid by SLEEVELESS

Sara Hickman produced and performs on this CD filled with songs for kids. She covers everything from "cantaloupe!" to "space poetry!". 7/18/2006

A World of Music by TOUCAN JAM

Toucan Jam, a musically acclaimed duo from the Ozarks, will release their first children’s recording, A World of Music, in August. Featuring music and instruments from around the globe, this cornucopia of sounds features the talents of multi-instrumentalist Kelly Mulhollan and Donna Stjerna. Keith Grimwood of Trout Fishing in America lends his vocal and string bass talents to several tracks on A World of Music. 7/18/2006 (Price: $15) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

What's Eatin' Yosi? by YOSI MUSIC

Pull up your chair and fill up on this bowlful of 16 musical surprises from Yosi, whose all-ages tunes have been acclaimed by the New York Times as “whimsical and genre spanning.” The rousing first number, “Let’s Get Cookin’” a Zydeco good-time tune about fun in the kitchen, sets the happy tone for the whole album. From there, Yosi explores a range of cuisines and musical themes, from the hard-driving rock and roll riffs of “Chicken Noodle Soup” and “Chicken Gizzards and Collard Greens” to the bouncy klezmer ode to “Bulbes (Potatoes)” and the calypso strains of “Chilly Chili.” Fellow dad-rocker Brady Rymer joins in for a version of Rymer’s song “Fresh Brown Eggs,” and the whole family will sing along to the familiarly funny lines of “On Top of Spaghetti,” humorously arranged to a punk/metal beat. And Yosi’s original ode, “Spaghetti Worms and Meatballs,” expresses his zany approach to food and eating (with a little reference to Arlo Guthrie’s Alice’s Restaurant on the side). The New Orleans jazz style song, “I Just Love You” ends the disc on an especially sweet note. 7/18/2006 (Price: $15.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Baby Loves Jazz: Go Baby Go by THE VERVE MUSIC GROUP

This new CD from the top jazz music label Verve features jazz interpretations of classic children’s songs and more, performed by some of the hottest names in jazz including Sharon Jones (the Dap Kings), John Medeski (Medeski Martin and Wood), and Steven Bernstein. The CD is the first title in a planned "Baby Loves Music" series from Verve. Price Stern Sloan/Penguin Young Readers will also publish a "Baby Loves Jazz" book series in August.  Created by music industry veteran Andy Blackman Hurwitz, Baby Loves Music begins as a way for parents to introduce their children to different genres without dumbing down the content or presentation; it’s real music played by real musicians. 7/18/2006 (Price: $14.98) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Birthday CD by MADE IT! MUSIC

A new personalized birthday CD for kids features Jill Gioia, one of the contestants on the summer 2006 CBS-TV reality series, "Rock Star: Supernova."  Produced by Made It! Music, the CD for kids can be purchased as a birthday gift or as party favors. The face of the CD is also personalized. 7/18/2006 (Price: $15.95)

Good Morning Sun Goodnight Moon by RIVERTOWN RECORDS

This recording of all-original songs comes at you with a folksy flavor, then branches out. James K does much of the singing with helpful accompaniment. The common themes lead the listener on a journey through various cycles of life and time. Witty, picturesque lyrics present us with a world full of wonder and joy. This is fun music for children and adults. It received a 2002 Parents' Choice Recommended Award and a 2004 iParenting Media Award. 7/10/2006 (Price: $15.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]