January 2013 Notable Toys — Music

Ella Jenkins wears the title given her by many of her fans, "The First Lady of Children’s Music," with tremendous energy. Now in her ninth decade, she continues to encourage young children to hop, skip, jump, clap, dance, and be active through song. Drawn from many recordings created during her legendary career, these songs demonstrate Ella’s genius as both a music educator and children’s entertainer.

Celebrating the stories in everyone, from books, personal journeys and children's imaginations. This DVD features 10 live performances with a full band as well as 5 music videos. Launch date: 2013.

The animated internet sensation Gummibär makes his feature length film debut in "Gummibär: The Yummy Gummy Search For Santa" available on DVD. Gummibär uses his charm, loveability, and dancing skills to rescue Santa from aliens and save Christmas. The DVD also includes six bonus music videos featuring everyone’s favorite singing and dancing green gummy bear. When Santa is reported missing on Christmas Eve, Gummibär and his band of wacky, misfit friends shake their booties from the North Pole to the tropics on a madcap search. But when they discover Santa was abducted by a dance-crazed alien, the fate of Christmas morning rests in the hands – and feet – of our lovable green gummy bear! Featuring the #1 hit "I Am A Gummy Bear (The Gummy Bear Song)," two holiday-themed songs and other Gummibär hits, saving Christmas has never been this much fun.
— As of 1/16/2013 this product had 3.2 out of 5 stars from 13 reviews on Amazon.com.

The Gummy Bear Song is now available for the first time on DVD. Includes the world-wide debut of Nuki Nuki (The Nuki Song). Also includes a nifty Sing Along Songbook with full lyrics in eight different languages.
— As of 1/16/2013 this product had 4.3 out of 5 stars from 40 reviews on Amazon.com.

A 30 second video clip for this little green troubadour’s song "I’m A Gummy
Bear" (now known worldwide as The Gummy Bear Song) has met an enthusiastic response around the globe with more than 800 million plays on YouTube and MySpace video alone. This multi-lingual hit – available in the original Hungarian, we well as English, French, Spanish, German, Portuguese, Swedish, Hebrew, Czech, Slovak, and other languages – has won the hearts of fun-loving audiences everywhere. It has gone on to hit the best seller lists in every country in which it was released. This USA release is an enhanced CD and includes exclusive bonus content not previously available in any other country as well as the full length version of the English video.
— As of 1/16/2013 this product had 4.4 out of 5 stars from 25 reviews on Amazon.com.

"La La Love To Dance", the second album from internationally acclaimed animated superstar Gummibär, is loaded with 16 new songs and 3 bonus tracks of rare remixes. YouTube hit “Nuki Nuki (The Nuki Song)” is included, as well as 12 original songs, and 3 fun covers. In addition, this album features the debut of Gummibär’s birthday song – “Happy Birthday Gummibär” – as specially requested by many of his young fans.
— As of 1/16/2013 this product had 5 out of 5 stars from 4 reviews on Amazon.com.

Pop Grrl Urban Animals Plush Headphones channel the wild inside with high-quality, full range stereo sound and adjustable, lightweight construction. Combining music and style, Pop Grrl Urban Animals feature the hottest audio technology and popular animal inspired headphone designs including Tiger, Cheetah and Zebra. Launch date: June 2013.

This mighty music maker (with an easy-carry handle) lights up as kids rock. Jam on a 24-note keyboard with a choice of 8 instrument sounds, 4 percussion sounds and 8 different rhythms. It even records and plays back compositions. Approx. 7'L x 15'W x 2'H. Made of plastic. Requires 3 'AA' batteries (included).
— Andrea Scartozzi from Hardware Toys in Paoli. Pa., told TDmonthly in a December 2012 survey that they sold 6 of this keyboard during the holiday season.

TDmonthly recommends looking at Schoenhut for similar, high-quality musical toys and instruments.

The Confetti Ukulele is thoughtfully made of wood with blast-from-the past construction and quality. Fun, tune-able sound and a size that’s just right for a budding musician.
— In a December 2012 survey, Katie Rook, owner of Be Beep A Toy Shop in Columbia, S.C., told TDmonthly that they sold 40 of these ukuleles during the holiday season.

TDmonthly recommends looking at Schoenhut for similar, high-quality musical toys and instruments.

The Sing Along Star Microphone makes singing fantastic fun. Kids can hear their voice amplified, enjoy backing music and also see cool lights flash as they sing to their heart's content. At the end of the show, the pink Sing Along Star Microphone adds clapping and cheering. Children can use the microphone's extending stand to sing along while playing an instrument with their hands, or making extravagant hand actions. They can also take the Sing Along Star Microphone off the stand to dance while they sing.
— In a December 2012 survey about bestselling musical toys, three out of 12 retailers told TDmonthly that microphones were their bestselling musical toys.

Kids can be their own rock star with the cool Rock Star guitar. 8 buttons on the fret board make tunes and sounds, and there's a rhythm button, three songs and a demo, a swing bar to pull, light-up strumming section and lots of fun effects. Comes with cool glasses and hands free mic.
— In a December 2012 survey about bestselling musical toys, three out of 12 retailers told TDmonthly that ELC musical toys from International Playthings were there bestsellers.

TDmonthly recommends looking at Schoenhut for similar, high-quality musical toys and instruments.

Sounds just like a real piano with transparent keys that light up. Moves and dances to the beat. Removable cap to store blocks. Launch date: Fall 2013.

DOWN AT THE ZOO is a 10 song album for children featuring songs about different animals. Launch date: 2002.
Awards: Parent's Choice Approved; Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Seal Award

A catchy melody and a rhyming lyric invite singing along, no matter what the language. The Putumayo Kids team searched worldwide for songs that are easy to sing along with. World Sing-Along includes familiar tunes like Jorge Anaya’s cumbia version of "La Cucaracha," and the Fiddler’s Green Bush Band’s sprightly arrangement of "Waltzing Matilda" as well as Father Goose’s Jamaican rendition of the American folk song "Jig Jog Jee." Top U.S. children’s music artist Dan Zanes is featured on that song as well as "Jamaican Farewell," which he performs with Anjelique Kidjo. As they sing along, kids will learn a little Portuguese with the greeting song, "Como Vai" (by Brazilian artist Hélio Ziskind, some Spanish with Jorge Conde y Ola Fresca, with their salsa tune "Pititi y Titi," and even "A Little Mandarin" with Shàng Xué Gē. Frances England and Asheba, are among the other familiar artists with songs featured on World Sing-Along.
Awards: 2013 TDmonthly Seal of Approval

Step into the warm and cozy living room of Mrs. Claus' North Pole home, and visit with her as she bakes Christmas cookies, reads from Santa's Book of Good Girls and Boys, and listens to songs from her favorite singer, Judy Pancoast. Features seven of Judy's original Christmas songs, including "Where is Santa Claus?," and  the "The House on Christmas Street Re-mix," along with traditional favorites.

Little rock stars will take center stage playing Schoenhut's “next generation” guitar. Schoenhut's innovative design incorporating a molded composite body with dual curves greatly enhances sound and durability. The birch soundboard which offers excellent tone and resonance, hardwood neck (for rigidity), and molded composite fretboard ensure proper height and spacing of the frets. Six steel strings permit a wide range of rich sounds. Available in several vibrant designs. Includes: Pick and Extra String. Launch date: January 2012.
Awards: 2013 TDmonthly Seal of Approval

With a background in children’s literature, plus a GRAMMY® nomination for his kids’ songs, Zak Morgan brings all of his life experiences and a simple delight in words and music to his fourth family music album, The Barber of the Beasts, available on October 30 from the new Universal Music Enterprises label myKaZoo. The new CD, his third collaboration with producer/guitarist Ric Hordinski, features zany cover art and a 24-page, full-color insert with illustrations for all the songs, all done in the inimitable style of C.F. Payne. The album’s impressive guest artists include Bootsy Collins, Robbie Fulks , Byron House (Robert Plant), Karin Bergquist (Over the Rhine), and David LaBruyere (John Mayer). This exuberant celebration of wordplay and humorous storytelling are all typical of Zak Morgan’s songwriting. He aims to inspire his listeners to enjoy learning for its own sake while providing non-stop entertainment via catchy music and lyrics to make all ages hoot with delight.

This handcrafted wood set includes seven pieces: A bucket drum with a natural skin head, a pair of drum sticks, a single jingle stick, a handled castanet and a pair of mini maracas. Fun for the whole family or class! Includes a parent/teacher friendly activity guide for ideas on using the items to encourage child development.
— As of 10/30/2012 this product had 4.6 out of 5 stars from 26 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: The drum makes a nice noise; fun for kids on their own or in groups.
Awards: 2015 TDmonthly Top Toy Award

The first-ever Christmas album from kids' music superstar Laurie Berkner, featuring classic seasonal and Christmas songs as well as three original tracks. "The CD is set apart from other holiday albums for kids because Laurie Berkner is the biggest name in children's music in the country - dubbed 'The queen of children's music' by People Magazine and 'The undisputed queen of kindie rock'" by USA Today.  The reason she is the biggest name in kids' music is her appeal to parents, not just kids," Sarah Geist Rosen from SKG Publicity told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2012.
Awards: 2013 TDmonthly Seal of Approval
— As of 12/6/2012 this product had 4.9 out of 5 stars from 23 reviews on Amazon.com. Pros: Features many Christmas classics; interesting vocal arrangements; enjoyable for kids and adults. Cons: One reviewer wished there were more original songs.

Ready to giggle and groove...Celebrate with Julie K as she delivers with a musical medley of happy times for the family. Her retro vibe shines and gives kids plenty to smile about. Launch date: April 2012.
Awards: 2012 CD of the year award by Creative Child Magazine

For over 40 years, Bobby Susser has entertained and educated millions of children through his songs. In his new, 25th collection, containing 12 songs, titled WO!, he continues his work, and quite remarkably, sounds better than ever. The songs are joyful, optimistic, and lots of fun. They encourage the young listeners to sing along, dance, and/or exercise; they develop a sense of rhythm and oral expression, and promote the significance of friendship, and togetherness through appreciation and understanding of songs, and their ability to enrich our lives. The first song , Any Time Of Day, is an exceptional song that's very inviting as soon as it's heard, as are, The Wo Wo Song, Smiling Face, Oooh Good Morning, and all the rest. The entire collection is filled with very catchy songs that will have everyone singing and dancing, learning and having lots of fun. Launch date: April 2012.
Awards: 2012 Dr. Toy Best Children's Product; 2012 Dr. Toy 10 Best Audio/DVD