November 2008 Notable Toys — Audio & CD

Created by Rob and Lisi Wolf, this 14-track, 42-minute album features acoustic version of songs by Neil Diamond, Fleetwood Mac, The Beatles and others. The product is made in the United States, using recyclable materials.

This folk storytelling album features the voices of Tim Jennings and Leanne Ponder, with Celtic music from a harp and concertina played between the tales. Tapping into the excitement of ancient storytelling, the narrators represent multiple characters in a range of tones suited to the stories, which are both funny and frightening. Launch date: 1997.

With hip-hop, reggae and R&B grooves, the CD gets everyone dancing and singing while counting, spelling and learning. Kids love the high-energy sound and educational messages, and parents will be surprised and engaged by the cool and unconventional songs. The CD has been applauded nationally by parenting publications, teachers and music critics. It received a 2008 Parents' Choice Award and a 2008 National Parenting Publications Award. "Alphabet Rockers provides educational hip-hop to the preK-1st grade market, which is more often saturated with folk and traditional children's music," Kaitlin McGaw, co-owner of School Time Music, told TDmonthly. Launch date: October 23, 2007.

This energetic album, featuring vocalist and guitarist Matthew Pryor, drummer Bill Belzer, guitarist Dustin Kinsey and bassist Eric McCann, is full of "playground pop" songs that were inspired by Pryor's kids. The family-friendly, 16-track CD includes homegrown themes set to upbeat rhythms and cool melodies.

This soothing collection features performers Marco Calliari, Bia, Lynda Thalie, Idrissa Zal Sissokho, Penny Lang, Luc Lopez, Muna Mingole and members of the Canadian folk-pop group Hart-Rouge.  The lullabies come from Brazil, Belgium, Senegal, Israel, Algeria, Germany, Canada and other diverse places. The warm lead vocals and harmonies on each track are supported by musicians playing on more than 30 different instruments. The earth-toned, dreamlike illustrations of the picture book edition and CD packaging reflect both the subject and country of origin of each song. Run time is approximately 40 minutes. Each CD includes printable files with lyrics and illustrations. A colorful, 36-page hardcover picture book with a CD is available separately at an MSRP of $22.95. Launch date: October 21, 2008.

"Tom Glazer Sings Honk-Hiss-Tweet-GGGGGGGG and Other Favorites" is a delightful collection of children's music recorded live from the 1950s to the 1970s. Among the 24 remastered songs are irresistible favorites like "Skip to My Lou," "This Old Man," and "Hush Little Baby," as well as original songs composed by Glazer and unique renditions of folk classics from around the world. With intimate liner notes by John, Peter and Diana Wasserman Glazer, including lyrics to the songs, "Tom Glazer Sings Honk-Hiss-Tweet-GGGGGGGG and Other Favorites" introduces Glazer's legacy to the children of the twenty-first century. Launch date: October 28, 2008.

Baby Loves Music is proud to announce the release of "Baby Loves Salsa", a CD and colorful book featuring real salsa music by amazing artists under the direction of band leader and singer Jose Condé and produced by Grammy Award winning producer Aaron Levinson of the Spanish Harlem Orchestra. Baby Loves Salsa family concerts have already taken place this year at Central Park, Miami’s Bicentennial Park and San Francisco ’s Golden Gate Park. The new book and CD feature a fanciful menagerie of characters – “Lalo el Largo," “Chico Chocolate,” “Arsenio Ruff Ruff” and “Celia La Cruz,” among other cleverly drawn Baby Loves Salsa band members, whose voices are actually those of acclaimed musicians and vocalists from various Caribbean countries. From the first track, “Somos la Banda,” to the danceable tunes “Vamos a la Playa” (Let’s Go to the Beach”) and “Mi Familia es la Musica” (“Music is My Family”), the songs will engage everyone in the family with their irresistible melodies and rhythms. Launch date: September 30, 2008.

Featuring the original soundtrack from the movie "Barbie & The Diamond Castle," this 11-track album includes a song called "Connected," performed by Katharine McPhee. There are two bonus tracks, "I Need to Know," from "Barbie as The Island Princess," and "Shine," from "Barbie in The 12 Dancing Princesses."

Blending country and rock and roll, this 17-track album spotlights Strawberry Shortcake and her band, Strawberry Jam. It includes two songs in Spanish and features tunes "The Gettin' Better Boogie Woogie" and "Fun for Fun's Sake."

This album, dubbed a "14-track ode to childhood wonder," blends bluegrass, classical symphonic sounds and Indie charm. In addition to providing the primary vocals, artist Danielle Sansone plays piano and acoustic guitar for this collection of love songs that includes "Bed of Roses," "Whisper" and "There is You." Launch date: 2008.

Featured as a finalist on "Britain's Got Talent" television show in 2007, 7-year-old Connie Talbot sings songs including "Over the Rainbow," "My Favorite Things," "I Will Always Love You" and "You Raise Me Up" on this 12-track album. Update 10/23/08: Since her fall 2008 debut in the States, Connie is #2 in the Billboard top-100 single sales, #7 on the Billboard National Heatseekers album chart, #8 in the Billboard Kids audio national album chart and an entry in the Indy top 50. Launch date: October 14, 2008.

Ratz in the House features eight original hit songs about reading, writing and math.

Features new spins on 10 popular holiday classics. Includes printed lyrics for easy Sing-Along.

This album's Halloween-themed tracks include "Haunting School," "The Brat Machine," "Ghost Story," "Fear of Little Men," "The Long and Curious Saga of Dr. Trulaine," "The Boogerman," "Has Anybody Heard About the Blob?" "In the Dark" and more. Launch date: 2009.

This 19-track album is specially created to get kids moving while also aiding the learning process. It features original music by Don and Laurie Monopoli of the Learning Station, both of whom collaborated with Dr. Becky Bailey of Loving Guidance Inc. on the lyrics. Stop-and-go activities boost attention spans, songs for breathing and stretching help relieve stress, and "connecting songs" improve impulse control skills. Tracks include "Itsy Ditsy Spider," "Boogie Rock," "Watch Me Listen" and "It's a Marvelous Day." "Music and movement is part of every young child's life. Why not make those movements into brain-boosting experiences that help those little brains grow?" asked Laurie Monopoli, educational coordinator for The Learning Station. This CD received a 2008 CD of the Year Award from Creative Child Magazine, as well as a 2008 Directors' Choice Award. It was also named one of Dr. Toy's 100 Best Children's Products and 10 Best Audio-Video Products for 2008. The album is available on the company's website in both CD and downloadable formats. Both include a 20-page booklet with lyrics, movements and brain-boosting activities. Launch date: May 15, 2008.

Award winning singer/songwriter and author of the "Canta Conmigo" series, Juanita Ulloa sings her specialty, mariachi, in this original mariachi CD for kids. She joins forces with the youth mariachi band at Texas State University, where she currently serves on the music faculty, plus producer/performer John Lopez, director of the multicultural music department, and arranger/performer Juan Ortiz, director of mariachi "Campanas de America." Launch date: February 2009.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.