Reviews (4)

A Wonderful CD for all ages
My whole family has enjoyed this CD. It is very upbeat and easy to listen to. I think there is something for everyone on this one.

What fun!
A wonderful selection of classical music! I bought this one, then started searching for the other CD's in the series. My 6-year-old daughter LOVES it & I often play it when she's not home. (I even took it to work for a few weeks & my officemates all commented on the collection of songs -- there's something on here for everyone to enjoy!) This is the kind of classical music that makes you tap your foot & hum along -- it's familiar & fun -- a great collection of songs.

Kids love it.
I was in the car and I put on the radio to listen to some soft rock. My seven year old asks, "Can you put the classical music back on."

It is a good collection, good audio quality, outstanding price. You can't go wrong.

Inspiration for Everyone
I sent for this CD and thought it wouldn't amount to much because it is geared towards children. Well, through the years I have come to love such music as "Clair de Lune" by C. Debussy, The "Moonlight Sonata" by L.van Beethoven, the delightful "Minuate Waltz" by F.Chopin, "The Nutcracker Suite - Russian Dance" by P.I. Tchaikovsky, F.Chopin's "Grand Valse Brillante Waltz No.1 op.18,the happy "Chinese Dance" from the Nutacracker Suite by P.I. Tchaikovsky Including the "March" from the Nutacracker Suite. All of this I was thrilled to find on the CD. I never thought this could ever have happened. And the bonus is the rest of the selections of variation. This CD is called CLASSICAL MUSIC FOR CHILDREN.....Well, it's not just for children unless you want to say it is for the children in all of us. I am very pleased with this CD. The music is clear and not at all boreing like some CD's that play several selections one after the other each sounding like the one before it. Buy this and you won't be dissapointed. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Kim Possibles Forever!
I got this today at Borders,and I haven't listened to it,yet. I love the Call Me,Beep Me and The Naked Mole Rap.

super bon (trop pop)
ce cd la est super bon ! tout le monde devrait savoir qui est kim possible! c'est une super-héorine mais qui en même temps est une jeune ado chef des pom-pom girls!! elle n'échappe pas a la vie d'ado!!
la musique est super bonne!! la meilleure est;
GET UP ON Y A FEET NOW

Kim Possible rocks! Dr. Drakken rules!
This is a fun CD to listen to based on the "Kim Possible" TV show. I mainly bought the CD because of the track "Rappin' Drakken" by John DiMaggio. Drakken is my favorite character in the show - the main reason I started watching "Kim Possible" is because John DiMaggio does his voice, and I am a huge fan of "Futurama," where good ol' Johnny D does the voice of Bender! I got hooked on KP only to find out a few weeks later that this show was also being canceled, so I was upset when I heard that because I love the show so much.

You'll enjoy this CD! I love the KP main theme (regular and remixes, although the "movie mix" is under a minute long that I feel cheated out of a bonus track). ABSOLUTELY LOVE "Rappin' Drakken" - John DiMaggio rocks! Love the beat boxing at the beginning of the song, and the whole song is clever and makes me laugh. Too bad it's only 2 minutes long! "Celebration" is a fun cover of the original by Kool and the Gang. I also LOVE "The Naked Mole Rap" sung by Ron Stoppable and Rufus - that is a FUNNY song! You'll notice that when you listen to this song that the music is Rufus's theme music in the show - pretty clever, huh?

I'm 25 years old and love this CD, so it's not just for youngsters but for all ages! If you enjoy "Kim Possible" then you'll like this CD! ... Read more

Album Description

Although celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2005, Music for Little People has never grown up! For 20 years the imprint has produced delightful music for the entire family-from the littlest infant to grandparents-for a holistic listening experience for all. Underlining a reputation for seamlessly incorporating entertainment and educational product, the over 175 awards of excellence bestowed on the label speak for themselves. And with those youngsters of yesterday now enjoying our music as the parents of today, Music For Little People is destined to entertain families for many decades to come. ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Not so good Disney!
I think that this soundtrack is not very good. Mr. Menken didn't do it as good as in Beauty and The Beast, Aladdin and Pocahontas. The only good part of the music is when the muses sing. They should've let Ricky Martin sing the English version of "Go the distance" too (look what he did with "The Cup of Life" of the Soccer World Cup). His Spanish version is far better than Michael Bolton's. At least this soundtrack is better than Hunchback.

One of my favourites
This has got to be the most fun had in a Disney soundtrack since Aladdin. Using Gospel singers for the Muses is a touch of sheer genius. The casting of the voices is top-notch. The only real let-down is Michael Bolton doing the single of "Go The Distance". Also, two thumbs way, way up for Susan Egan. She has a wonderful voice and her song (I Won't Say) is fantastic.

Best Menken music ever
The title says everything. Hercules features the most wonderful music you can imagine. Even The Little Mermaid can't top Hercules!

Another Good Menken Soundtrack for Disney
It is a shame that this soundtrack kind of went by in silence. Alan Menken did a great job with this score and the songs. What surprised me was Michael Bolton's vocals that I really liked on "Go the Distance." Bolton finally sang a song that actually matched that slightly arrogant style of vocalizing that he is famous for. This movie really benefited from it. Bolton turns that arrogant style around and uses it as a plea from the young Hercules in Disney Productions' interpretation of the character. Perceived as a foul-up in adolescence, Hercules reaching manhood wishes to prove himself the hero he yearns to be. Bolton's rendition is brilliant and Hercules really does Go the Distance. Go for this soundtrack.

Lacks Appeal
I bought it because I remembered how good the music was in the movie. I guess my memory was that good after all.

The highlights of this CD are the songs sung by the Muses (A Great Gospel Shakedown). Everything else about this Soundtrack just didn't hit the mark. Susan Egan sounded awful (and i thought that was hard for her to do). Overall, the score is still not bad, but since most people would buy this CD for the vocals, I must say that it is a disappointment.

Buy The Aladdin Soundtrack to remember what good Disney Music and vocals sound like. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The Wiggles are fast becoming the 2- to 6-year-old crowd's answer to the Fab Four in their native Australia, inciting ants-in-the-pants squirming, squeals of delight, and worshipful sing-alongs all across the nation. With their eponymous TV show, they're poised to widen the Wigglemania. On Let's Wiggle, Anthony Field (the blue-shirted Wiggle), Murray Cook (the red-shirted one), Greg Page (always in yellow), and Jeff Fatt (perennially purple) and their costumed pals Dorothy the Dinosaur, Captain Feathersword, Henry the Octopus, and Wags the Dog settle in for some serious silliness on such songs as "Fly Through the Air," "I Look in the Mirror," and "Little Brown Ant." Simple musical arrangements and easy-to-grasp themes ("I love it when it rains / And I lie in bed at night / I listen to it patter" is the extent of one lyric) pave the way for attentive listening. The Wiggles also earn a nod in the credibility category: 13 of this album's songs were written by group members (the rest, like "Sing a Song of Polly" and "Bound for South Australia" are traditional songs), and they even handle their own guitars. Overall, despite what sometimes feels like overkill on the Australia angle (lots of kangaroos and kookaburras scamper through these songs), parents would be hard-pressed to find a better bunch of guys for their preschoolers to wiggle with. --Tammy La Gorce ... Read more

Reviews (36)

Not just for the kids!!!
A friend of mine asked me if I had heard of the Wiggles. I said, "Huh?". She said her 2 yr. old daughter loved them. I said, "yeah, yeah", we're too into Sesame Street and Buzz Lightyear. Well, at her birthday party, she had one of their video tapes on the vcr. My almost 2 yr. old daughter planted herself in front of the tv, and that was that. Now we have 3 Wiggles videos and 2 of their cd's. We play them at home and in the car. One day I got in my car to go to work, and the Wiggles cd was still in there from the last night's ride to the store with my kids. Well, I wound up leaving the cd in and I listened to it, bouncing in my car. The music is so catchy, the whole household finds themselves humming the tunes at work or school. There are simple hand movements to most of the songs that anyone little one can do. All in all, its mommy who can't wait until the Wiggles come in concert!!! Hey, Capt. Feathersword is pretty cute!!!!

My kids' favorite music!!
All 3 of my children (ages 5-8)can't get enough of this music! Not only are the words simple and easily understood by kids, the music makes them dance and sing. I've even found them singing it when the CD isn't playing! Even Pokemon has been replaced as their favorite activity by the Wiggles!!! The lyrics have positive messages every parent can appreciate. I found it by accident, ordered it for fun, and can't wait until I can get more!

The Wiggles Are GREAT
My son Keagan 2yrs old loves the wiggles. Every morning he has to have his wiggles tape in to watch and to dance to it. The music is catchy and always keeps his attention. The dances he does along with the music are soo cute and keeps him occupied for hours. I would most definatley recommend wiggle music to anyone who has a young child. Kelli Brown

Never heard of them!
I had not heard of the Wiggles until we received this CD as a gift. We played the CD during a visit by a friend with a 16-month old daughter, and although they hadn't been familiar with the Wiggles either, the daughter immediately started to dance to the music. As best I can tell, our baby likes it too. (He's only 8 weeks old. If our playing it doesn't make him cry, that counts as liking it.)

The songs are catchy... I find myself humming or singing them pretty often. And there is an intersting mix of music: some Wiggles's originals and some Australian traditional.

We're enjoying the CD so much that I've been looking for Wiggles CDs at our public library, and was very disappointed to find that they don't have any! So, we'll just have to buy them.

Let's WIggle
My two yr old loves it. Catchy tunes. Keeps her happy in the car and at home. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The first time you listen to this disc you will undoubtedly be transported directly back to your childhood. Charles Schulz's Peanuts characters will go toe-tapping and funky-dancing through your mind's eye. Play it a few more times, though (ignoring the dialogue snippets, if you can), and you will begin to truly revel in Guaraldi's wonderful, humorous, deep piano playing. You'll hear why he's such an influence on new age ivory tickler George Winston, but you'll also realize that Winston's holiday music never quite sparkles with the underlying passion, and humor, that twinkles in these grooves. Buy it for the nostalgia--keep it because it will remain one of the most enchanting albums in your holiday collection. --Michael Ruby ... Read more

Reviews (130)

An all-time Christmas classic!
Thanks (so much) to the timeless annual television special which delights us each December, it's difficult to find a collection of songs which touch the inner child in quite the way A Charlie Brown Christmas does. The late Vince Guaraldi's brilliant interpretations of these holiday standards are borderline genius---tailor-made to reflect the Peanuts characters' pursuit of integrity and meaning as adults trapped inside little children. As good a true jazz piano record as anyone will find, this treasure chest echoes of many happy Christmases past, and warms the heart and soul like nothing before or since.

There simply aren't enough positive adjectives to describe this soundtrack. I wholeheartedly recommend it to all---those who fondly remember the TV special and look forward to its return every year; those who desire to add a slightly different flavor to their yuletide music collection; and those who enjoy fine jazz, by an artist whose immense talent was barely realized, but fortunately captured here. And pardon the cliche', but like a fine holiday wine, this one only betters as it ages. Drink it in as it rekindles your most joyous childhood memories.

STAR TRACKS: Classic carols "O Tannenbaum," "What Child Is This" (extended later on the album as its traditional "Greensleeves"), and "The Christmas Song" each are delivered in a style unlike any holiday chestnuts, but "My Little Drum," a lovely interpretation of "The Little Drummer Boy," is a far more stirring rendition than the famous original it borrows from. "Christmas Is Coming" and the ebullient "Linus and Lucy" are spirited, youthful celebrations guaranteed to raise a smile on anyone, anywhere, at anytime. But for pure imagistic splendor, the beautifully desolate "Christmas Time Is Here" (performed twice, once with a small children's choir) and the colorful "Skating" may be the album's most evocative numbers, transporting the listener into the story's animated world which every one of these enchanting songs so perfectly support.

A Great Stocking Stuffer
This is one Christmas CD you should have in your collection! If you already have it, give it to someone special!

Vince Guaraldi's soundtrack to the 1965 classic TV special A Charlie Brown Christmas helped incorporate the style of music that became known with Charlie Brown specials (he would do several more soundtracks for Charlie Brown TV specials and their 1st movie until his untimely death in 1977).

This is more than just a soundtrack, as there are many pieces not featured in the special ("My Little Drum", a variation of The Little Drummer Boy, "The Christmas Song", "Greensleeves", and "What Child Is This").

Then of course come the songs from tne special. There's the original compositions "Christmastime Is Here", which opens the special, "Linus and Lucy", which would be featured in many of the other Charlie Brown specials for years, and "Christmas Is Coming" (a bossa nova number, which sounds a little like Richie Valens' "La Bamba"). Of course, you have the traditional Christmas carols included like "O Tanenbaum" (if you close your eyes, you can almost picture Charlie Brown and Linus shopping for the perfect Christmas tree!) and "Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" (which closes the TV special. Sorry, you don't get the anticlimactic "MERRY CHRISTMAS, CHARLIE BROWN!".). Then there's the ode to Schroeder's favorite all-time composer, Beethoven, who as Lucy points out "never got his picture on a bubble gum card" with "Fur Elise" (you can almost picture Schroeder tickling the ivories as you hear this!).

Reminds me of being a little kid watching Charlie Brown.
This is a great CD! It takes you back to when you were a little kid on the couch watching the Charlie Brown christmas special.
I think it will make a great CD to play around the holidays. =)

The Definitive Christmas Album
This album is an absolute MUST HAVE. It is what Christmas is all about, a true masterpiece. No contest as my favorite Christmas album.

Still the best Christmas Album Ever...
I first bought this LP (yes, LP) when I found it in a dusty used album bin, about 2 blocks from Fantasy Records in Berkeley where it was recorded. The album was in perfect condition, so I made a tape copy that got played year after year. Eventually I wore the tape out, so I took out my pristine album and made another copy. No one I knew had the LP or knew where to find it, so they'd ask me to make them a tape. I wouldn't copy the LP directly - it was priceless to me - though I'd lend out the tape for them to copy. Eventually someone never returned it, so I made yet another copy from the LP. I wore that one out too, but by then they'd issued the CD and I bought that. The CD had one or two tracks the LP didn't have, and to be honest they added little for me - the LP as it stood was perfect. A few years later a bunch of my CDs were stolen, so I bought it again, which is my current copy.

There really isn't any more to be said about this CD. Everyone's seen the show, and the music of Vince Guaraldi is timeless. One of the all-time greatest jazz musicians, Guaraldi had a unique and almost universally liked style few, if any, modern musicians can touch. The soundtrack has taken on a life of its own - play it at a party and people will smile and relax as they are almost subconsciously transported back to childhood.

The Christmas season starts for me right after Thanksgiving, when I first play "A Charlie Brown Christmas". Through all the hassles of traffic, shopping, cooking, cleaning, and the overall holiday rush, this CD always reminds me of the true meaning of Christmas, what this season is truly about. And I still take out and admire securely-stored LP version which I will never give up. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Here's a likable roundup for anyone who failed to connect with the family music bandwagon when it first rolled into homes five years ago. Some of the coolest players in the crop contribute to Putumayo Kids: Dan Zanes and Friends' "Bushel and a Peck," Rosie Flores' spirits-to-the-sky "Red Red Robin," and Taj Mahal's gruff "Don't You Push Me Down," all sound out for the world that sweetness and simplicity, paired with the right lyrics add up to perfection. The title suggests singing along, but that's strictly optional. Unlike other samplers that collect catchy songs under that banner, listening along with Putumayo is a lot of fun too, especially given that you're provided with liner notes that list lyrics as well as song meanings in English, French, and Spanish. It should not be overlooked that gazing at this package is satisfying in itself. The Putumayo people consistently captivate with their earthy, whimsical covers, and Sing Along is no exception. --Tammy La Gorce ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Excellent, ten-star children's music record!
An outstanding set of kid's music with folk scene stalwarts such as Arlo Guthrie, Taj Mahal and Tim O'Brien joined by bluegrassers Tim O'Brien and Rhonda Vincent and blues pickers Keb Mo, Guy Davis and Eric Bibb, as well as Americana-country types such as Rosie Flores... An impressive lineup, sure, but better still is the calibre of songwriting, and the actual kid friendliness of it all. This is a really fun album! Fun, as in, little kids might actually like it, and might even sing along if you played it for them. Plenty of silly songs like "Bling-Blang," "Bananaphone" and "Bellybutton Song." Some songs are perky, like "Red, Red Robin"; others are instructive, like "Man Named All The Animals," and others still model assertiveness and communication skills, like Taj Mahal's excellent "Don't You Push Me Down," in which various kids stick up for themselves in unpleasant situations. I like this album a lot, and plan to play it for my kid for years to come. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential recording

Take a spicy Cajun tour through Louisiana's bayou country on Choo Choo Boogaloo! The musical scenery includes foot-stompin', two-steppin,' finger poppin' zydeco emblazoned with hot guitar licks, sassy accordion, and a dash of blues thrown in for good measure. Traditional titles, including "Get on Board," "Iko Iko," "Little Red Caboose," and "Cotton Fields," have been well adapted to zydeco style, while "Crawfish Song," "Mardi Gras Mambo," and "Give Me a Squeeze, Please" are right at home in this celebration of Cajun culture. Children will have a wonderful time moving with the new rhythms and exploring the sounds of various instruments used to create the unique zydeco style. --Deborah Moore ... Read more

Reviews (56)

This CD is SO much fun!
I wish that I could give this CD more than 5 stars! I'm from New Orleans, but my 8-month-old twins are growing up in the Midwest, so it's great to share some authentic Louisiana music with them. And they absoluately ADORE it. Their faces light up and they both start to dance when ChooChoo Boogaloo comes on, and one has even started to 'sing' along. It's also the kind of kids' CD that grownups can love -- very cute, very smart, and lots of fun. I've bought several as presents already. HIGHLY recommended!

The best in my son's collection
The first thing my son (age 3-1/2) does when he gets up in the morning is run to the stereo and put in this CD. It is on pretty much all day every day -- has been for about a month -- and I still love it. I love it even more than my Buckwheat Zydeco CD for grown-ups, partly because it has made my son such a music lover (and he can now recognize a number of instruments from having heard the tutorial on Choo Choo Boogaloo), and partly because it's great music. I just bought another copy for a birthday present.

great for kids of any age
I bought this for my daughter when she was 3 months old and would play it daily. When she was left with my husband while I was out she started to fuss, and as soon as he put this album on she quieted down and smiled! This is such a great album for kids, and for as many times as I've listened to it, I still love it. I wish there were more to enjoy.

Fantastic!
The song selection, recording quality, and performances are all fabulous. Our eight-month old loves it almost as much as his thirty-something parents. We listen to so many times that now we're planning to attend a cajun/zydeco festival! :)

My children LOVE this CD! Replaced Ralph's World
We have been huge Ralph's World fans, listening to Bottom of the Sea or Ralph's World OVER AND OVER AND OVER again. We received this for Christmas and now my 3-yr old son says " Let's listen to the Choo Choo Music!". And my 19-mth old jumps up and down excitedly. Their favorite is the first song. They could listen to that one exclusively- but I need a bit more variety than one song. :)
As an intro to each song, there is the conductor speaking, explaining the the Cajun or Louisiana influence on the following song. The kids barely pay attention to that at this point, but I find it interesting.
We will definitely be buying another Buckwheat Zydeco CD for ourselves soon and will buy this one as gifts for all our toddler friends.
Don't worry, RW isn't out of the picture yet. I sneak him in because I love the CDs so much. So do the kids. :) ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Fantastic... a must have for Mama, Papa, and Baby
And you thought you were doomed to listen to those crummy fake vibraphone/music box sounds forever now that you are a parent? Thank you, Putumayo for not insulting our intelligence. These beautiful songs will provide your child with an enriching listening experience, and you will love them too. My favorite is the South African "Thula Mama" and I find myself singing it to my little one often.

Wonderful music!
We first learned of this CD by borrowing from the library and now we have bought it. The selection of music is beatiful, our daughter loves to listen to it at night before going to bed. Our favorite song is the one is Spanish from Mexico.

Lullabeautiful
This CD was a lovely gift, given to us by a friend of a friend, who had never met me or my beautiful daughter, yet had given us one of our most treasured "baby items" to date. Every song on the cd is soft and soothing. My husband and I love the multicultural aspect of the compilation and our two month old baby falls asleep within minutes of hearing notes from any of the songs. The songs are magical and so are their effects.

Gorgeous
Another gorgeous collection from Putumayo which has its intended effect on our 9 month-old whether in the car or at home, yet is wonderful listening for the parents. Each track is beautiful but standouts for me are the opener with Carlos Santana guesting and the haunting Teresa Doyle lullaby.

Amazing.....
I always thought lullabies were meant for babies or children at best. One listen to this cd and my ideas were changed. Putumayo has done it again! From world renown Angelique Kidjo to less known Tanja Solnik, the cd is one of soothing sounds. If you are stressed, take a listen, and let the lullabies take you away. Even if you aren't sleepy, trust me, the calming effects will help even the most high strung person. ... Read more

Reviews (19)

You are never too old...
I will be 16 in 3 months although that may not sound like old to most people, a lot of people consider it too old to listen to Disney songs. Not true! If you love the songs from the Disney movies, this is the perfect CD. My friends and I love this CD; I gave it to one of my friends as a gift and it is always in her CD player. The songs are great and all are classics. They start out with songs from the more recent Disney releases and the latter half is full of great oldies. (I have been looking for ever for the Sleepy Beauty songs.) This is just a fun CD to listen to; it always puts me in a better mood when I listen to it. A must-have for every Disney fan! I can't wait to get my hands on Princess Collection II!

So close, yet so far...
I REALLY wanted to love this CD. I was looking for a complete Princess collection for the car. We already have (and love!) the Disney Classics 5 CD collection, and I get very tired of switching between all those CDs to find "princess songs" (it's VERY hard to remember which song is on which color CD!!). The trouble with this CD is that is just doesn't have enough songs. My daughter includes in the category "Princess Songs" the songs that aren't actually sung by the princess herself, but are in the movie (like Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo, The Work Song; Under the Sea, Kiss the Girl, Heigh-Ho, Be Our Guest, Belle, etc.) - she loves them all! I was expecting a long CD with 20 to 25 songs (like the Disney Classics), but this CD only has 12, which isn't enough for my family. The included songs (with the exception of "Home" from the B&B Broadway show) are the same gorgeous versions you already love, but if you're looking for complete group of Princess Songs on one CD, this probably isn't the one for you.

Great CD!
I'm Also 18 and about to graduate HS and this is still one of my favorite cds! I actually bought this cd about 3 years ago (a different cover-same cd) and LOVED IT! I didn't give "Home" a chance at first but one day I listened to it and it is probably one of my all time favorite songs! I love broadway and I sing and its a very challenging song to sing! Susan Egan has a gorgeous voice! And none more gorgeous than Jodi Benson (Ariel!). My point is this is a great cd, don't ignore it becuase you don't know all the songs...you'll grow to love them as much as the favorites!

classic musical moments from Disney
This beautiful album showcases the Disney princesses; Ariel, Belle, Snow White, Jasmine, Aurora, Cinderella and Pocahontas, with songs from the soundtracks of the classic Disney films in which they appear. This disc is a must-own for all Disney fans.

There are selections from POCAHONTAS ("Colors of the Wind" and "Just Around the Riverbend", sung by Judy Kuhn); ALADDIN ("A Whole New World" sung by Brad Kane and Lea Salonga); BEAUTY AND THE BEAST ("Something There" sung by David Ogden Stiers, Jerry Orbach, Robby Benson, Angela Lansbury and Paige O'Hara); SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS ("Some Day My Prince Will Come" and "I'm Wishing/One Song" (sung by Adriana Caselotti and Harry Stockwell); CINDERELLA ("So This is Love" and "A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes" sung by Ilene Woods and Mike Douglas); and SLEEPING BEAUTY ("Once Upon a Dream" sung by Mary Costa and Bill Shirley).

Added for good measure is "Home", taken from the Broadway score of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, sung by the original Broadway Belle, Susan Egan.

I love listening to this magical CD, which is, as the cover-blurb promises, the music of 'hopes, dreams and happy endings'.

Princesses!
As one reviewer said, you're never to old to enjoy the Disney classics! I'm 18, just graduated high school, and just went out and purchased this CD a couple days ago. It's beautiful, gorgeous, and brings back memories! I was singing along with it while in the car and while doing housework--it's a great collection that anyone can enjoy, especially those of us who are kids at heart. The only thing I wish is that there were a couple more songs present, which detracts 2 songs, but overall, it's gorgeous! Well worth the money! ... Read more

Album Description

This excellent "introduction to learning" covers awareness of body image and the body's position in space, identification of body places, objects in relation to body planes, body part identification, movements of the body, feelings and moods. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

FEELINGS
IM A 25 YR OLD MAN-

I KNOW ALOT OF PEOPLE AND THEY HAVE NEVER EVEN HEARD OF

OF HAPSTER---!!!! AND THIS GUY I PLUG IN EVRY NIGHT BEFORE

BED- PUTS ME TO SLEEP---

SHOULD HAPPER DO ADULT CD'S??

lOVE HIS RELAXING VOICE- NOT THAT RAFFI TAFFI STUFF--

USED TO LIKE RAFFI- BUT THAT'S BEFORE I LEARNED TO ENJOY

HAPPENING HAPPER- NOW RAFFI SOUNDS LIKE HED BE BETTER

AT FOLK- HAP IS ULTIMATE KIDS---HAPS NOT PATRONIZING-

TRY RED GRAMMER ALSO- HAP AND RED SHOULD DO A DUETT-

2 OF THE MOST SOOTHING VOICES-- in MY OPINION!!

preschool teacher and fan
I love this cd, and have used it for several years in my classroom of three year olds. The kids love the music, especially Sammy. Shake something is fun too. I also have a 22 year old assistant teacher who loves this cd so much that she says she is going to bring it to a nightclub so she can bust it out on the dance floor to the song Left and Right. Way to go Hap!

Wonderful Collection For All Children
I have So Big and this CD by Hap Palmer. In general, I like Hap Palmer's songs because they are catchy and not tied-in to product promotions (like Disney and others). He produces songs enjoyable for all of my children, and I have to admit, I find myself singing along, too.

This CD contains several "self-awareness" types of songs. I have a child on the autistic spectrum, and I found the songs on feelings to be especially useful. The overall message of these songs is to learn about yourself and be satisfied that you are who you are. These are particularly important concepts for an autistic child.

I am such a fan of Hap Palmer, that I suspect I'll eventually own all of his music.

Hap Palmer's "Getting to Know Myself"
Hap Palmer lends his gentle voice and melodies to a fabulous collection of songs here. They incorporate enough movement to maintain interest, but at intervals that will not cause things to detiorate into bedlam. I've used this collection with a class of 35 3 to 6 year olds at a Montessori school--it was our "morning warm-up." We especially liked "Turn-a-round." This collection enhances listening skills. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Say what you will about the purple one--he's overly friendly, he's generally tiresome--but toddlers and preschoolers can't get enough of him. Legions of youngsters will delight in Barney's Greatest Hits, a 25-track compendium of the playful dinosaur's best-loved tunes. Watchers of the phenomenally popular TV show won't find anything unfamiliar here. Included are many Barney originals, including "If All the Raindrops"; "Peanut Butter"; "BJ's Song"; "My Yellow Blankie"; "There Are Seven Days"; the "Yankee Doodle Dandy"-inspired theme song; and, of course, "I Love You," the show's warm and fuzzy closing number. Barney also puts his happy-go-lucky spin on a handful of traditional songs, including "Pop Goes the Weasel," "John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt," "The Wheels on the Bus," and "Itsy Bitsy Spider." There's no denying this record's exceptionally high burn factor where grownups are concerned, but those merciful enough to endure a rash of repeat listens may reap behavioral benefits. Songs such as "Please and Thank You," a reinforcement of the power of the magic words, and "The Friendship Song," a gently persuasive track preaching that kindness is king (especially among playmates), have a Lego-like way of connecting with very young kids. They non-confrontationally encourage young listeners to add to their repertoire of praiseworthy habits, no nagging required. For focused caregivers, such a reward takes the sting out of these almost unbearably syrupy songs. In fact, only those whose threshold for corny kids stuff is seriously low ought to be excused from sucking it up and brightening a little kid's day with a spin or two of "Barney's Greatest Hits." --Tammy La Gorce ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Mari
My little girl simply LOVES Barney. She acrually gets mad when my little brother changes the television. And when I bought this CD for her--her eyes lit up, when I first played it for. And started dancing around. She recognizes the Barney-Theme song any where. I would recommend this CD to any parent for thier childs first CD.

MY DAUGHTER LOVES BARNEY
MY DAUGHTER LOVES BARNEY AND THIS CD IS PERFECT FOR LONG ROAD TRIPS OR JUST A FUN TIME. I RECOMMEND THIS CD TO ANY PARENT WHO NEEDS A BREAK!!

now dis shtuff is GOOD!
oh yeah, barney totally rocks dude. I think all kids shuld learn to play with big funny lizards that kan bite yur head off! now dat is fun and games! and don't ferget aboot barney's play palz! they have quite an appetite too! have fun kiddies! ppeece ouut!

Overrated
I read about this CD in Rolling Stone and they gave it five stars. What the heck? This isn't good at all! The background music is kind of catchy though.

PSYCH!
OMG THIS CD IS SO AWESOME LOL I TOTAOLLY LOVE IT AND I LISTEN TO IT ALL THE TIM!!!!!1111!!11!! I LOVE IT! OKAY BYE GUYS PEACE OUT AND LOVE ALWAYS IN JESUS

Purple Dinosaurs and raindrops
Buy this is you enjoy Mindless Self Indulgence and Michael Jackson. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

My daughter likes it, and I like it
For the money, this is a great CD. Yes, they have kids singing on it, and sometimes those kids aren't exactly Shirley Temple - if you are picky about that, then maybe it's not for you. But I don't think my little girl can tell the difference. She always quiets down to listen. The music itself is done well. The production is very good as well. Some of the songs are indeed quite catchy. One song, "Pick a Bale of Cotton", just stays in my head long after it's over...

It's a Hit!
I stumbled upon this CD in our local library for my 2 going on 3 year old daughter. She immediately fell in love with this CD! And I was not annoyed by the grown up singers or the children. (let's face it, most children's CDs can grate your nerves after a while). We took it with us for a road trip and she listened to it on her big brother's CD player. Talk about a quiet ride!! Who needs a DVD player in the truck?! We also used it as the background music at her third birthday party. It was a bonafide hit! All the kids loved it and all the mothers kept asking, "Where did you get this CD? It's great!" I'm buying two copies!

Rather Disappointing
I was interested in this CD for my infant daughter particularly because it has so many classic songs on it--many of which I've forgotten since I was young. However, the arrangements are pretty annoying; it's just not a pleasure to listen to. I'd suggest looking for something that's done better musically, even if the songs aren't standards. My daughter and I both enjoy Hap Palmer much more, for instance, even though his arrangements include new lyrics and interludes.

music
I bought this for a my friend's son's 1st birthday because he loves it when his mom sings songs to him. I thought I'd give her vocal cords a break & increase his repertoire. Mom & Dad both dislike the CD BECAUSE it's got kids singing. (Most small kids don't care about staying in tune and it gets annoying if you have good pitch, which both parents do.) Nick isn't so sure yet but he may change his mind. This is not the CD to buy if you're going to play it in the car unless you like listening to small children sing (picture the little kids' choir from church or pre-school programs). Needless to say I will not buy this CD for any of my other friends who recently had children.

Waste of money
Most of the CD has children singing - that could be cute but they don't pronounce the words properly and I don't want my daughter to learn to say "the wheels on the bus go wound and wound" ... Read more

Amazon.com essential recording

If your kids seem more like couch potatoes than jumping beans, then this lively dance album is sure to get them on their feet. The entire Sesame Street cast participates in this high-spirited album that includes "Me Lost Me Cookie at the Disco" with lead vocals by Cookie Monster, "The Lambaba!" featuring the Count counting lambies, and the finger-snapping "Happy Tappin' with Elmo." Hot! Hot! Hot! is great fun and invites interactive movement but still retains strong educational values that parents and children can enjoy together. --Deborah Moore ... Read more

Reviews (12)

My 3 year old and his friends sing and dance like crazy!
I bought this for my son, and he immediately found a few songs that he asked me to play over and over. I skip over the Cookie Monster Disco song (dated) and other songs that seem to be on EVERY Sesame Street CD.
But all in all, this is an excellent one. There were a lot of songs I hadn't heard done by the SS characters, and everyone in my family has a different favorite!
I loaned it to my daycare provider, and the kids there range in age from 1 to 6 and they were ALL singing and dancing.

A great cd for the kids!
My daughter, the Sesame Street fanatic at 21 months old, got this cd for Christmas last month. Since then, it hasn't left the cd player. She runs to it every chance she gets and says "song" while pointing at it. The songs on this cd are really cute: the characters sing some songs you know (like "Hot, hot hot!") and a lot of other songs that I recognized from watching the show. I'd have to say my daughter's favorites are tracks 2 and 10, one of which is "Happy tappin' with Elmo" her favorite character. If you have kids, you really need this cd...it will keep them hopping and dancing for a long time and as a bonus, you won't mind listening to it either.

Cookie Monster Rules!!
I purchased this album for my young son and he loved it, nearly as much as my husbund! If we are in the car the first thing both of them want to listen to is Cookie Monster's "Me lost Me Cookie At The Disco", which I have to agree, is a fantastic song. It is this interaction that makes the whole album a must.

Fun!Fun!Fun!
I bought this album because I was looking for something upbeat and different for my son. I had bad luck it the past with children's CD's boring both him and me. The first time I played it my 11 month old started to laugh and giggle. Next thing I know I caught my husband trying to disco to I lost my cookie at the disco. I recommend this CD to all my friends with young kids.

So Cute
This music is so cute. It is upbeat and not only don't I mind listening to it, I like it. The songs are catchy with good music, unlike a lot of kids CDs. The quality of the production is great. My daughter loved it from the first time we played it. Hot! Hot! Dance Songs is a winner. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential recording

This collection of songs from everybody's favorite little red monster will surely tickle the kids in your family. Elmo solos include the rockin' "Off to School," "Elmo's Rap Alphabet," and the sweet, inspiring "Just One Person." He gets a little help from his friends for the Joe Raposo classic "Sing," and Big Bird and Snuffleupagus join in for "Elmo's Song." Once you get used to hearing Elmo's tiny, preschoolerish voice, this charming album will have you and your kids "Be Doodle Dee Dum"-ing right along with it. --Deborah Moore ... Read more

Reviews (8)

TOO CUTE!!!
This is just too cute!!! Our daughter loves Elmo...she holds the CD case while listening to The Best of Elmo!!! Sings, dances to the songs!!! This is a must have!!!

If only they made Elmo Sings Bob Dylan and The Beatles Tunes
My 20 month old wants to listen to this album exclusively. If we put on other CDs or tapes, even other Sesame Street music with other voices singing, she says "Elmo. Elmo. Elmo" until that wonderful, high-pitched voice comes through the speaker. It really is quite funny to hear Elmo singing everything. I've heard this CD a few hundred too many times. We need a new Elmo compilation. A definite favorite of our daughter's and her Elmo-loving friends.

Great for traveling in the car and at bedtime!
I bought this cd for my 22 month old daughter because she watches Elmo on tv and gets very excited when she sees him. This is by far the best money I have spent on her! I first played this cd in the car, while on my way to a doctors appointment with her. While I was stressed out because of traffic, she was in her car seat dancing, moving and singing to the music! I also play this cd for her at bedtime and naptime and it is the perfect thing for her to listen to as she winds down from a busy day! I plan on buying the entire Sesame Street/Elmo collection for her!

Over and over
My son , now 3, has listened to this album over and over, and it doesn't lose it's charm. And he has shown no signs at all of tiring of it--he wore the first tape out and we had to get a new one!

My 2 year old son LOVES Elmo's songs
This CD is magical. My son sings and hums these treasures all day. My mother who cares for him while I work full-time swears that he will do anything as long as he hears Elmo's voice in the background. The funny thing is that I find myself humming these songs too! I wish I could give this CD to every parent who has a 2-year old -- it is a MUST for every toddler. ... Read more

Album Description

NICKY AWARDS

The American Library Association's 2004 NOTABLE CHILDREN'S RECORDING
2004 PARENTS' CHOICE SILVER AWARD WINNER
2004 iPARENTING MEDIA AWARD WINNER
2004 PARENTING MAGAZINE Parenting Pick

This jazz for kids CD -the first of its kind- provides children with a fun andengaging introduction to jazz. These rhyming, swinging, sing-a-long songswere chosen especially for kids by their jazz buddy Nicky The Jazz Cat. Featuring original recordings for children by celebrated jazz masters Louis Armstrong Count Basie, Tony Bennett, Cab Calloway, Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, DizzyGillespie, Peggy Lee, Louis Prima and Fats Waller, these spirited and lighthearted vocal tracks speak to kids through rhyme, humor, great lyrics and swinging dance rhythms. Sure to inspire singing, dancing and interactive musical play with your child, this award-winning collection will become a cherished and fun-filled tradition for the whole family. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Wish there were volumes 2, 3 and 4!!
My son and I play this CD so often, we just wish there was more! Snappy, upbeat standards make meal and play time fun! Recommend highly, you will not be disappointed

WAY more fun than most kid CDs!
Yay! After purchasing a pile of CD's for kids, this is the first one I can stand. You dont have to be a jazz fan to appreciate the original quality of these recordings. These are original recordings, not "watered down" versions for kids. Definitely get the book as well! "Nicky the Jazz Cat" which has beautiful pictures of the musicians. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Daughter loves it
My daughter is 5 and loves to hear this CD over and over in the car.

A Classy Classical Disk
This CD is a great way to introduce your children to classical music! Mozart's music really comes alive through this story which is brilliantly and seamlessly interwoven with excerpts from his work. My 3 children were completely riveted, and we were too. I look forward to listening to the other CD's in this collection.

The life of Mozart set to the music of Mozart
"Mozart's Magnificent Voyage" provides biographical information about Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart using some of his most famous compositions as background music. The idea is that Mozart is working on his last opera, "The Magic Flute," but has to take time out to visit his son Karl at school, where the young boy has been acting up. As a result, Mozart will not have time to write the parts for the Dream Children, who decide to do something about it, namely use their magic boat to reach Karl first and take the boy on a journey that takes them back in time to Mozart's childhood when he first became famous as a musical prodigy. There is also a visit to the future, when Beethoven himself offers young Karl some insights on Mozart's music. This album contains more than two dozen excerpts from Mozart's music, including Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, the Clarinet Quintet, Symphony No. 1, variations on "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" and several songs from his operas. A few of the songs are worked into the narrative, as when the Dream Children sing "Three Spirits" from "The Magic Flute" and Constanze sings the "Letter Duet" from "Cosi Fan Tutte" on her wedding day to Mozart. None of the songs are identified on the album itself, although they are all listed in the album notes. As a result, children will probably learn more about Mozart's life than his music. Educators should be aware that Teacher's Notes are available for all Classical Kids recordings, a series that also includes "Mr. Bach Comes to Call," "Beethoven Lives Upstairs," and "Tchaikovsky Discovers America."

Great for kids - educational and fun
My 3 and 6 year old daughters love this CD, and can listen to it several times a day! Great for keeping them happy in the car, and for adult ears it is a lot better than typical kids stuff...Highly recommended! ... Read more

Amazon.com

It's safe to assume that every kid in the United States--outside of those raised among fringe groups--grew up harboring fantasies of shoving aside the animated star of the latest hit Disney film and inhabiting the character's cartoon shoes him- or herself, at least until the end credits rolled. Such an assumption is not lost on the clever folks at Disney, who've launched the Disney Karaoke series, consisting of favorites from the company's perennially popular movies, first sung in apple-pure, completely unironic Disney style and then presented instrumentally, giving closet crooners a chance to show their stuff. Highlights on the first volume include 10 songs from 10 films, including "Just Around the Riverbend" (from Pocahantas), "Reflection" (from Mulan), and "A Whole New World" (from The Little Mermaid) as well as the feel-good "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah" (from Song of the South), the infectious and entirely irresistible "Hakuna Matata" (from The Lion King), and the sentiment-stirring classic "When You Wish Upon a Star" (from Pinnochio). Even without the karaoke concept this CD would make lots of can't-miss lists; the song selection alone adds up to pure fun. Even so, Disney, not wishing to disappoint karaoke die-hards, has thoughtfully included complete lyrics in the liner notes. So no excuses for missteps and no more feeling silly--The Jungle Book's "I Wanna Be Like You" actually does include the phrase "Oh, Oobee doo--I wanna be like you." --Tammy La Gorce ... Read more

Reviews (8)

Very Disappointed
I expected more from Disney I guess they are learning and now are doing better with what they have put out. But do not waste your money on it. Look for a more recent one which has lyrics as well as graphics. The songs on it aren't all that - I bought if for my daughter and even the music sounds a bit off when it goes without words. Really - save your money on this one! :0(

Great for Road Trips
Most of my college friends have moved off to different cities, and it's quite a haul to visit them. Music in the car is nice, but I always get the urge to sing! That's why I enjoy this CD so much. First we are treated to somewhat simplified arrangements of ten great songs, ranging from classics like "Once Upon a Dream" to more current songs like "Reflections" from Mulan. Each is performed by an artist who does an excellent job of enunciating to help the budding singer hear the words and where they go (the lyrics in the booklet help too!). The next ten tracks are the same songs, but without the lead vocals. Simple, elegant, fun.

Which leads to the two caveats: 1.) The "20 Tracks" label shouldn't be confused with 20 songs and 2.) There are no special lyrics/pictures/etc. encoded on the disc. Several other reviewers have groused on point two, but I see it as being like enhanced CD's: Sure the extras are neat, but I buy it for the music.

Nice to listen to; Hard to sing - for "Advanced" Karaokists
This CD contains 10 Disney songs, (each sung, apparently, by different vocalists than the originals)followed by an instrumental of each track for karaoke. The songs are a mix of old and new school (from Song of the South, Pinocchio, Sleeping Beauty to Lion King, Little Mermaid and Pocahantas).

The production certainly sounds professional and I probably wouldn't have known the vocals weren't the originals on the songs I didn't know. The problem isn't with the production or even the song selection, but rather the degree of difficulty. These are not the easiest songs to sing which I think would make this prohibitive for most kids, as well as adults who have trouble enough screeching their way through "My Girl" and "Born to Be Wild".

It should also be noted that the lyrics do not display on your screen, but are included in the booklet.
Recommended for hardcore Disney buffs and "advanced" karaokiers.

Great fun for long car trips!
I love to sing, especially when I am by myself on a long car trip. Singing along with these songs (that I know by heart!) make the trip fun and go by fast. I have read reviews that said the people were upset because it was not a CD with graphics, but no where does it say that graphics are included. I never once thought they would be on there. I own Vol. 1 and 2 and love them! If you want to have fun singing along, this is a great purchase.

Disappointed
You would think that Disney would provide the highest quality product. Think again. I purchased Disney Karaoke Discs 1-4 at Disneyland, thinking I would get "the real thing." Well, their vocal demonstration tracks were NOT taken from the movies but were sung by others (i.e. they had the well-known songs re-recorded by people we've never heard of, poor imitations of the original tracks), AND the words are only printed on an inside liner, not embedded in the discs. In other words, these are just song and music discs with no graphics at all. You can play them in a karaoke machine and you might as well be playing them in a regular CD player. If you plan on singing these songs, either memorize the words or carry the cumbersome songbook wherever you go. Not worth it. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Lea Salonga, best known as the voice of Jasmine in Aladdin, steals the show here as the title character in Disney's Mulan. The former star of Miss Saigon adds touching elements to the feature, especially on introspective numbers such as "Reflection." Unfortunately, the voice of Donny Osmond, relegated to anthems such as "I'll Make a Man Out of You" doesn't really enhance the story line, a saga set in ancient China. Jerry Goldsmith provides the Far East tinge to the score, almost reminiscent of early Les Baxter. While Mulan is a far cry from the memorable Beauty and the Beast, it is both funny and charming. --Jason Verlinde ... Read more

Reviews (149)

The music on this soundtrack is absolutely gorgeous!
I think that the Mulan soundtrack is one of Disney's best. If you loved the movie, you are sure to love the soundtrack. The songs, as usual, are wonderful. Disney sure knows how to pick the people to write the songs, and of course, who to sing them. Disney never fails to come up with wonderful, creative songs that people of all ages are sure to enjoy. My personal favorite is "I'll Make a Man Out of You," sung by Donny Osmond. He sure knows how to add life to a song. And let's not forget the beautiful voice of Lea Salonga! The scores, too, were absolutely amazing! The traditional Disney music is uniquely blended with Chinese culture. So full of life, some of these scores are sure to move you to tears. For instance, you could feel the shock and the sadness in "The Burned-Out Village." So, if you haven't seen "Mulan," it is a movie you should definitely see. And if you haven't listened to the soundtrack, you are really missing out!

Great CD except for one thing
This is a great soundtrack to accompany a very good movie. The music is great (I love the Mulan Suite in particular in the instrumental part) and Donny Osmond and Lea Salonga's voices are excellent.

I would give it five stars if not for the last track (Christina Aguilera's version of Reflection, which really annoys me). Next time, Disney should stick to REAL singers when doing another version, or better yet, stop doing these "pop" versions altogether: they just ruin the magical, animated experience. There was certainly NO NEED to match the original Reflection song with a 'bastardized' version. Disney was probably imagining Mulan taking off her clothes (ala-Christina Aguilera) as she was reflecting on the bad thing that just happened to her. (Can you imagine Mulan singing the song in the movie the way Christina did?) Thank goodness Peabo Bryson and Regina Belle did a decent job with "A Whole New World" in Aladdin!

Great soundtrack!
Beautiful music, beautiful voices, beautiful songs. I especially like "Reflection" whose lyrics I can really relate to.

A potential masterpiece, ruined
I would have given this CD at least three stars, maybe even five, if Disney didn't cut it up. Maybe I'm over-reacting but I bought this soundtrack for one reason and one reason only: the score that plays when Mulan lights the incense and prays to her ancestors, cuts her hair, and dons her father's armor. Well, that little synth piece was slashed right out!! Yeah, sure the rest of the music isn't all that bad, but this omission ruins everything!! EVERYTHING!!! I wasn't even sure I wanted to buy an entire soundtrack for just one song, and I didn't even get what I paid for.
This review may be of no use to you, but before you ever buy a soundtrack again, make sure you get every piece of info on it first.

Wonderful!
The best tracks are Mulan Suite and Reflection (sung very beautifully by Lea Salonga). The worst track if Christina Aguilera's version of Reflection. What a way to ruin the song! ... Read more

Amazon.com essential recording

Whether they're hearing old favorites like "Down on Grandpa's Farm," "Take Me Out to the Ballgame," and "Twinkle, Twinkle" or the spunky calypso of "Tingalayo" and the vowel-twisting "Apples and Bananas," kids will find plenty to sing about on this classic Raffi album. The French children's lullaby "Fais Do Do" and the traditional Spanish "De Colores" will further spark little listeners' interests in the sounds of other languages. If you're looking for musical fun on a rainy day or good kid tunes for the car, One Light One Sun would be an excellent addition to your child's music library. --Deborah Moore ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Excellent Children's Music, First Song to Last
This is a wonderful collection of children's music. I use this CD with children in the first grade. We sing and have fun. The songs have a great melody. All the songs are wonderful.

What's even more important is that the messages are appropriate and good for children. I tried to talk our music teacher into singing "Like Me and You" for our school program, but I had no luck. I think it's a very special song for children, and Raffi is very special. Maybe next year.

Like Me and You
By Raffi

"Janet lives in England
Pierre lives in France
Bonnie lives in Canada

"Ahmed lives in Egypt
Moshe lives in Israel
Bruce lives in Australia

"Ching lives in China
Olga lives in Russia
Ingrid lives in Germany

"Gita lives in India
Pablo lives in Spain
Jose lives in Columbia

"And each one is much like another
A child of a mother and a father
A very special son or daughter
A lot like me and you..."

Another Great CD from Raffi
These songs are silly; your kids will love them. When you listen to Raffi sing you can feel how much he is enjoying himself. These songs are fun and beautiful.

Incredible Album
This is an incredible CD. Children's music is not suppose to be this good, is it? "Like Me and You" must be the best children's song ever written and should be known by every school child ever known!

Thank you Raffi for this wonderful music and the "Singable Songs Collection!"