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

The Tortoise and the Hare CD by MAESTRO CLASSICS

The Tortoise and the Hare is the 8th in the CD series for narrator and symphony orchestra. This is a delightful adaptation of the classic fable set to an original score by Stephen Simon and performed by the London Philharmonic Orchestra. The story is animated by a bevy of animal friends with a French twist in the character of Mrs. Beaver, who runs the bistro where Hare takes his rest. A 24-page activity booklet accompanies the CD with illustrations by nationally recognized children’s book illustrator Renee Andriani.
Awards: Dr. Toy 100 Best Children's Products - 2010 10/13/2010 (Price: $16.98) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Teach Me Tiger Value Pac by TMT GLOBAL

This new Teach Me Tiger Value Pac includes: A Teach Me Tiger learning, play, and sing along CD in a standard size jewel case with a four-panel, full-colored insert, an 8” by 8” 20-page, full color Teach Me Tiger story book, featuring Teach Me Tiger, BooWoo (The Magic Doggie), and Stanley, Lester, and Fred, the little friendly monsters under Teach Me Tiger’s bed, and a Teach Me Tiger, high quality “Kazoobie,” play along kazoo.
Awards: Dr. Toy 100 Best Children's Products - 2010 10/13/2010 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

T'was the Night Before the Storm, A Katrina Story by GESTALT INSTITUTE

T’was the Night Before the Storm, A Katrina Story for Kids, is a new 62-page book telling one’ child’s story of the hurricane and flooding that devastated New Orleans and the surrounding cities in August 2005. Told in a familiar rhyme, the 29 verses describe the events in a child’s language. It deals with how parents coped with the evacuation from the city and the rebuilding of their homes. It is an instructive and informative way to acquaint children with the difficulties presented by a catastrophic event.
Awards: Dr. Toy 100 Best Children's Products - 2010 10/12/2010 (Price: $15.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Jungle Gym by JUSTIN ROBERTS

Jungle Gym aims to ascend through the collective memories of childhood, from the joys of trick or treating and sleepovers to the magic stillness of snow days and gym class parachutes. The recording takes listeners on a journey through iconic experiences that kids will relate to and parents will remember. It's an often funny and unexpectedly rocking ride, from magic moments sailing on a moonlit cardboard box, through the temporary traumas of getting lost, to the anticipation and wonder of a school fire drill. Giant pounding drums, vintage electric guitars, strange and fanciful time changes, soaring vocals and elegant French horns yearn toward the conquering heights of the jungle gym. Awards: Parent's Choice Foundation Audio Award Fall 2010 10/1/2010

Uncle Rock: The Big Picture by JACKPOT MUSIC

Uncle Rock's fourth CD is a salute to his musical heroes, with stylistic nods to Bowie, the Stones, Cat Stevens, and Johnny Cash. This album is cross-generational rock written for kids ages 2 to 92. Awards: Parent's Choice Foundation Audio Award Fall 2010
 10/1/2010 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Purple Puppy Dog by SLICK PUPPY MUSIC INC

The Purple Puppy Dog CD is a one-of-a-kind compilation of all-time hits rewritten and re-recorded especially for kids who love dogs, as well as their dog-loving parents and grandparents. The upbeat collection includes the favorite "Dogs Just Want to Have Fun" (a remake of the Cyndi Lauper hit) plus nine more.  9/23/2010 (Price: $12.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

MOBI HeadPhonies Hello Kitty by MOBI Technologies, Inc.

HeadPhonies are portable mini speakers shaped like designer toys. They are compatible with all iPod variations, and will also work with other MP3 and CD players, as well as computers, handheld video games and even certain cell phones. The speakers stand at only 3” tall, and are designed with high sound quality in mind. Each HeadPhonies includes a cable for connecting a music library as well as a charging cable for the internal battery. The internal battery can be charged in about an hour with a playback time of over four hours per charge. "The MOBI HeadPhonies provides the sound of a Boom-Box with the cute design of Hello Kitty," MOBI Technologies National Sales Manager Andrew Buckband told TDmonthly.
Awards: 2010 CEA Innovations Award for Design and Engineering 9/23/2010 (Price: $24.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Take It Outside by OKEE DOKEE MUSIC

The Okee Dokee Brothers deliver a collection of 13 original songs designed to get families on their feet and out of the house. Take It Outside offers enough witty wordplay, musical sophistication and food for thought for listeners of any age. The Okee Dokee Brothers, the Twin Cities duo of Joe Mailander and Justin Lansing, won national notice for their first release, Kids with Beards (2008). The album was produced by Grammy Award nominee Tor Hyams and features Adam Levy of the Honeydogs. Awards: Parent's Choice Foundation Audio Award Fall 2010 9/23/2010 (Price: $14.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Favourite Poems for Children by NAXOS OF AMERICA

This collection includes magical, macabre, dramatic, funny, bizarre, absurd, delightful, moving and charming poems by Lewis Carroll, A.A. Milne, Edward Lear, Hilaire Belloc, Kenneth Grahame and many others. Readers such as Anton Lesser, Simon Russell-Beale and Timothy West bring the lines beautifully to life and aim to make this an ideal introduction to some of the best-loved children's poetry. 9/23/2010 (Price: $14.98) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Sunny Day by SMITHSONIAN FOLKWAYS RECORDINGS

A true family affair, "Sunny Day" features performances with Elizabeth Mitchell’s husband and musical partner, Daniel Littleton, their nine-year-old daughter Storey and Storey's cousins and friends. The album features two original songs written by Storey, and guest performers include Levon Helm, Dan Zanes, Jon Langford (Mekons), and the Children of Agape Choir of South Africa. There is something here for every musical taste, from traditional American folk songs, to Japanese and Korean nursery songs, to fresh new arrangements of popular songs. "Elizabeth Mitchell and her group offer "handmade music" without glitsiness. It's honest and entertaining," Sugar Mountain PR's Beth Blenz-Clucas told TDmonthly.
Awards: Dr. Toy 100 Best Children's Products - 2010 9/13/2010 (Price: $12.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Secret Agent 23 Skidoo - Underground Playground by KOCH ENTERTAINMENT

Secret Agent 23 Skidoo, a pioneer in the child-friendly hip-hop known as kid-hop, returns with old school funk on the 16-track Underground Playground. Agent 23 Skidoo honors hip-hop heritage, adds fresh beats and mixes in the magic of childhood.
—Myles McDonnell of You Know, For Kids praised Agent 23 Skidoo’s lyrics, which “convey positive messages on subjects like friendship (‘Secret Handshake’) and honesty (the Public Enemy–tinged ‘Speak the Truth’) without ever getting finger-waggy, or losing the loose sense of fun that’s the core of so much quality hip-hop.” The positive lyrics are paired with “top-notch, catchy and addictive” beats.
— Toni Morton of Toni’s Treehouse tells kid-hop doubters to “think again, because Skidoo can absolutely hold his own, even while throwing out verses designed for a younger audience.” Overall, “Skidoo is a strong rapper, his rhymes are solid, the music is catchy, the stories are great, he has a good sense of humor and we love to hear something other than rock or country for kids.” 9/9/2010 (Price: $15.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Beautiful Baby, Wonderful Child by CHILDREN INC.

The Beautiful Baby, Wonderful Child songs celebrate the powerful connection between a caregiver and infant. This connection is the secure base from which the toddler begins to explore their world. These songs, geared for ages 0 to 3, have underlying themes of attachment, initiative and self-regulation, which are critical to infants’ and toddlers’ early development. Awards: 2009 Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Audio Award 9/1/2010 (Price: $15.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

I Can Settle Down by CHILDREN INC.

This collection of songs is designed to teach children self-regulation, coping skills, increased attention span and self-soothing techniques. The skills associated with self-control allow children to get along with peers and adults and participate in an array of activities and experiences. These songs encourage children to see rules as positive tools for self management. Awards: 2010 Creative Child Magazine CD of the Year 9/1/2010 (Price: $15.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

My Box of Dreams by CHILDREN INC.

These songs are designed to create a soothing atmosphere that helps children make the transition to sleep calmly. The album aims to relieve the anxiety of bedtime/naptime, and strengthen the bond between parent/teacher and child. 9/1/2010 (Price: $15.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

New Day by CHILDREN INC.

The songs featured on New Day were developed to teach hope to children and give hope to teachers/parents. They are designed to help children internalize positive “self-talk” and anticipate a future of accomplishment and confidence. Based on the field of positive psychology, these songs teach children how to better handle negative life experiences, develop a future orientation and develop positive feelings about his/herself and the world in general. The album features the music of Mary Hulefeld and David Kisor. 9/1/2010 (Price: $15.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Feeling Positive by CHILDREN INC.

The music from Feeling Positive is based on the key findings from the field of positive psychology. The lyrics convey messages from positive psychology and the rich music orchestrates experiences of “positivity” for parents and children alike. This CD is designed to help children develop important character strengths such as curiosity, hope, optimism, kindness and gratitude. 9/1/2010 (Price: $15.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Robot Dance by MR. LEEBOT

“Robot Dance,” the first album from Mr. Leebot, is a electric powered tribute to the synthetic sounds of the 80’s. Drawing inspiration from Devo and Talking Heads, Mr. Leebot brings new wave to kids across sixteen tracks with names like “Rumbling Tummy” and “It Wasn’t Me.”
— Charles of A Child Grows reports that the songs on “Robot Dance” live up to the CD’s title; their electronic rhythms are sure to inspire breakdancing and doing the robot. Charles warns parents, however, that “Mr. Leebot’s sound is so unmistakably 80’s throughout the CD that unless your family can’t get enough of the dance sounds of Yo Gabba Gabba!, you may not be able to sit through the entire sixteen tracks on the CD.”
— Nugget Island’s Matthew Siden calls the album “a keytar classic.” According to Matthew, highlights of the CD include “’Paper Airplane’ and wear-your-helmet song ‘Protect Your Nog’ [which] serve as proof that a poppy kids’ song can meld with bleepy programming and actually work.” 8/31/2010 (Price: $12.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Sing a Little Song, Do a Little Dance by DESERT COAST RECORDS

Jeff Jones and the Earthtones inspire kids to “Sing a Little Song, Do a Little Dance” on this 14 track CD. Latin, Caribbian and Asian musical styles influence many of the songs, including “La Bamba,” “Je Je Kule” and “Cumbia del Sol.”
— Gayle Geise of Parents’ Choice called the CD “an exciting, musical journey” that gets kids “twisting, dancing, singing, responding to calls, moving faster and slower as they ride their ponies-all while successfully introducing a number of general music lessons.”
— Daniel Freidman from Raising Arizona Kids referred to the songs as “sophisticated fare.” Daniel especially enjoyed "Night in Wulanbatuo," a “soothing, melancholy song that features Chinese lyrics and a Tibetan melody.” 8/31/2010 (Price: $14.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Banjo to Beatbox: Cathy & Marcy with Christylez Bacon by CATHY & MARCY'S SONG SHOP

Grammy Award winning children’s musicians Cathy and Marcy team up with human beatbox Christylez Bacon to combine folk and hip-hop styles. This eight track CD is filled with new songs and children’s classics like “Froggie Went A Courtin’” and “Syncopated Washboard Rhythm Song.”
— Mark S. Tucker of Folk & Acoustic Music Exchange described the CD as “very Sesame Street-ish.” Though the recording quality is “somewhat amateurish” and the CD is “only a half hour,” Mark recommended from “Banjo to Beatbox” as “a nice little addition to the catalogue of discs for kids.”
— Caroline Holt from Our Kids listened to the CD with her kids as well as four other adults. Caroline and her children preferred the beatbox songs on the CD, while the other adults greatly favored the folk songs. As a whole, they “found it annoying that it flip-flops between beatbox and folk songs,” though Caroline felt the low price tag made the album a worthy purchase even for only half the songs. 8/30/2010 (Price: $7.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Shakin' The Chute by KIMBO EDUCATIONAL

Parachute fitness routines set to diverse music and original songs address mobility, fitness, directionality, body identification, imaginative play and important concepts. Parachute play can be used for circle time, arrival and departure activities, recess and indoor/outdoor play. 8/26/2010 (Price: $15.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Steady, Ready, Jump by KIMBO EDUCATIONAL

This DVD is designed to get kids moving to fun routines set to music with beat and "pop" sounds. Flexibility, strength and aerobics, moving from warm up to cool down, with a lot of easy pre-aerobic routines, aim to help promote good health and healthy play. "Important activity benefits include self regulatory behavior, valuable educational concepts, nutrition, the environment, sensory integration, improved motor skills, movement and more," Kimbo Educational Director of Sales and Marketing Elaine Murphy told TDmonthly. 8/26/2010 (Price: $15.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Power Tunes by TURNING POINTS MEDIA

Power Tunes is an album from speech-language pathologist and multi-award winning songwriter Joe Rothstein, MS, CCC-SLP. Favorites like “School Song,” “Food Song” and “Opposite Song” aim to pick kids up and get their bodies and brainwaves moving together while empowering them with important language tools. "Power Tunes uses principles of speech-language pathology to to help toddlers and young children learn vocabulary, speech sounds, and early academic concepts," Turning Points Media President Joe Rothstein told TDmonthly.
Awards: 2009 iParenting Media Award; 2009 National Parenting Center Seal of Approval
— “I have several students with speech issues in my room this year and was thrilled with the results of playing this CD for my class,” explained the reviewer from The Opinionated Parent. The critic added that “Whether your children have speech concerns or not, it’s a great CD … I give it a ten out of ten – even if I wouldn’t listen to it without my kids around.”
— Heather Sedlock, Special Needs Kids Examiner for Examiner.com, listened to the CD both on her own and with a group of children and toddlers with speech-language deficits. Heather and her co-reviewers enjoyed the “10 upbeat, get-you-out-of-your-seat songs,” which she found perfect for home, school, daycare and travel settings. 8/25/2010 (Price: $9.98) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

What Are the Odds? by MONKEY MONKEY MUSIC

Monkey Monkey Music offers a deep commitment to putting the child back into children’s music with Meredith LeVande's second album, What Are the Odds? The album finds the middle road between baby songs and pop band songs where kids’ lyrics are simply added to music that would otherwise be played for adults. Meredith’s music is not only child-friendly, it’s truly child-appropriate, having been created with the healthy growth of the child in mind. "Her songs are joy-filled expressions of pure, childlike fun. One listen is all it takes to recognize that Meredith really loves being around children," Waldmania PR Publicist Elizabeth Waldman Frazier told TDmonthly.
— “As soon as I pushed play, my 19-month-old son started bopping to the music,” reported Shonda of The Knowlton Nest. Shonda was struck by Meredith’s “happy, upbeat and friendly child-like voice” throughout “music that was contemporary, yet simple” and “appealing to kids and adults.”
— Toni Morton of Toni’s Treehouse provides a track-by-track analysis of the CD, highlighting the knock-knock joke based song "Who's a Knockin'?" and “the surprising sounds of a banjo and dobro” in the food pyramid song "Frogs Eat Butterflies." 8/25/2010 (Price: $14.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Many Hands: Family Music for Haiti by SPARE THE ROCK RECORDS LLC

Many Hands: Family Music for Haiti brings together 22 family friendly artists to help with the Haiti relief effort. The CD includes previously unreleased and brand new songs from kid favorites including They Might Be Giants and Pete Seeger. Proceeds from the record will be donated to the Haitian People’s Support Project.
— Leigh Goldman Balber of Urban Baby calls the CD “A We are the World for the sandbox set.” The “who’s who … of the best in the world of kiddie music” combine to create a “spiritual, uplifting (but not too out there)” CD. 7/7/2010 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

"Time Out To Rock" by The Not-Its! by LITTLE LOOPY RECORDS

“Time Out To Rock," filled with up-tempo power-pop tunes, mixes songs that are “just for fun” with songs about such topics as welcoming the new kid at school or dealing with bullies. The first track, “Welcome to Our School,” sets the energy level on high with an irrepressible dance beat and clean playing that doesn’t clutter the lyrics. Rocking on from there, the pace slows at album’s end with the poetic, reflective “Hollow Tree.” 6/28/2010 (Price: $14.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]