May 2009 Notable Toys — Audio & CD

This DVD is designed to offer cool music, colorful animation, amusing characters and lots of humor to help students learn about fractions and decimals. It covers congruent parts, equivalent fractions, proper and improper fractions, mixed numerals, decimals and more, explaining and illustrating examples to help ensure that even difficult concepts are easy to grasp. Delayed answers give learners time to test their skills. It runs approximately 35 minutes.  "Kids enjoy the comical characters Frances Fraction, Dennis Denominator, and Newman Numerator as they explore how fractions and decimals are used in real-world applications," Cindy Burleson, communications coordinator for Rock 'N Learn, told TDmonthly. This DVD received the Parents' Choice Recommended award in 2003 and was one of Dr. Toy's 10 Best Video Products. Launch date: 2003.

Each group of facts through 12 has its own distinctive song to keep students tuned in and motivated. The CD runs approximately 30 minutes. "Energetic songs make learning fun and one of our best sellers still today," Cindy Burleson, communications coordinator for Rock 'N Learn, told TDmonthly. This product has won the following awards: Parents' Choice Recommended; Dr. Toy Best Classic Products; and the National Parenting Center Seal of Approval. Launch date: 1997.

This product is designed so that as students sing along, they can quickly learn sums up to 18 and differences from 18. The CD runs approximately 40 minutes. "Upbeat music, energetic performers and a delayed answer section helps students learn facts quickly. [This is] one of our top audio best sellers," Cindy Burleson, communications coordinator for Rock 'N Learn, told TDmonthly. It has received the following awards: Parent’s Guide to Children’s Media and Dr. Toy's 10 Best Educational Products. Launch date: 2003.

Spanish Volumes I & II is designed to offer an easy way to learn greetings, counting, colors, survival phrases, subject pronouns, travel phrases and more. It was created with energetic performers that entertain and motivate while delayed answers make it convenient for students to check their progress. The DVD runs approximately 55 minutes. It has received a Parents’ Choice Recommended Award and a Parent’s Guide to Children’s Media Award. Launch date: 1993.

Featuring a performance by Tony-nominated actress Sharon McKnight, this accompaniment CD allows children to sing along with the music of the Disney Broadway musical. In addition to well-known songs from the animated movie, new songs were added by composer Alan Menken. Two versions of each song are provided; the student can learn the song by singing along with guide-vocals, then practice on their own by singing with the accompaniment tracks. It was named a Top Ten Cast Album of 2008 by TalkinBroadway.com. "All songs are fully-orchestrated and recorded in the original show key — ideal for Broadway fans. [It] works well as a learning tool when paired with the sheet music," Malinda, marketing director at Stage Stars Records, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 2008.

European Playground features 15 songs and colorful liner notes in four languages, and takes families on a cross-genre musical tour around the continent.  If you’ve ever wondered what the kids across the pond are listening to, here’s your chance. Launch date: May 19, 2009.

This is the beginner set for Spanish speakers wanting to learn English. Learn new languages by singing with Sing2Learn. Songs are 100% original and the program takes a step by step approach to break down sentences into words and phrases. Learn in the car, on the PC, or on the go.

This is the beginner set for Chinese speakers wanting to learn English. Learn new languages by singing with Sing2Learn. Songs are 100% original and the program takes a step by step approach to break down sentences into words and phrases. Learn in the car, on the PC, or on the go.

This is the intermediate set for English speakers wanting to learn Spanish. Learn new languages by singing with Sing2Learn. Songs are 100% original and the program takes a step by step approach to break down sentences into words and phrases. Learn in the car, on the PC, or on the go.

This is the beginner set for English speakers wanting to learn Spanish. Learn new languages by singing with Sing2Learn. Songs are 100% original and the program takes a step by step approach to break down sentences into words and phrases. Learn in the car, on the PC, or on the go.

This is the intermediate set for English speakers wanting to learn Chinese. Learn new languages by singing with Sing2Learn. Songs are 100% original and the program takes a step by step approach to break down sentences into words and phrases. Learn in the car, on the PC, or on the go.

This is the beginner set for English speakers wanting to learn Chinese. Learn new languages by singing with Sing2Learn. Songs are 100% original and the program takes a step by step approach to break down sentences into words and phrases. Learn in the car, on the PC, or on the go.

Written by Rudyard Kipling and read unabridged by Jim Weiss. With vivid characters and an hysterically funny choice of words, Rudyard Kipling’s beloved stories “explain” how camels got humps, great whales got tiny throats, elephants got trunks and more. These time-tested classics cause us to look at accepted qualities in new and creative ways, and even better, make us laugh out loud. With his menagerie of voices and warm, witty narrative presence, Jim Weiss brings Kipling’s own words to life. The result is a wondrously charming recording that is certain to become an all-time favorite for listeners of all ages.

Written by Charles Dickens and told by Jim Weiss, this masterful, historical novel is set in Paris and London during the stormy upheavals of the French Revolution. Combining adventure and a moving personal story, it tells of Lucie Manette, daughter of a hero of the Revolution, who loves Charles Darnay, an aristocrat who sympathizes with the poor. When revolutionaries seize Charles, only Englishman, Sydney Carton, can save him. But here too, we run into complication and intrigue! Shaping his telling for the entire family, Jim Weiss gives us Dickens’ unforgettable heroes, remorseless villains and thrilling plot twists to make A Tale of Two Cities a classically memorable, dramatic presentation.

These uproarious American folk stories will have you laughing out loud and pondering. You'll meet Paul Bunyan, taller than the trees and mightier than the rivers; Johnny Appleseed, whose gentle generosity make him a beloved legend; and Pecos Bill, whose outrageous Texas-sized exploits make him the greatest of all cowboys. There's even one of Jim's own tales, a tongue-twisting, hilarious tale of the Old West. The entire family will listen to this recording over and over again.

Filled with laughter, tragedy and astonishing triumphs, this storytelling biography will entertain and inspire listeners as they experience touching personal moments, Lincoln's famous wit, great ethical issues, military battles, and the complete Gettysburg Address. With vivid descriptions of Lee, Grant, Stephen Douglas, Mary Todd Lincoln, Frederick Douglas and more, one will remember anew why Abraham Lincoln holds a special place in our history and in our hearts. Approximately 70 Minutes.

The World's #1 Sprout Song and Jack's Story on CD! Electronic files are also available for free on A Jack Sprout Inc.'s website.

Designed to help children connect children to nature and teach them about environmental concerns, this album features the Missoula Coyote Choir, made up of children ages 7 to 12 who are building eco-awareness. The project also promotes the process of biomimicry — learning from nature itself in order to develop solutions for a more sustainable world. The CD includes 18 tracks.  “A bunch of great songs for kids, their grownups and other animals.” —Bill Harley, Grammy® Award Winner.
Awards: 2009 Creative Child Preferred Choice Award, 2009 Parents' Choice Award, 2009 iParenting Media Best Choice Award.