A dramatization of events surrounding the Civil War draft riots when rich families could pay a poor Irish immigrant $300 to take a son's place in the draft. New York City exploded with riots. Fifteen-year old Claire, the daughter of an African American father and an Irish mother is caught in the city's strife and her own sense of identity. A spirited dramatization that brings a chapter in our history to life. With a cast of more than 20 players, plus music and sound effects, this is a story from a distinguished author. Walter Dean Meyers, as always, addresses real issues of race, class, and mob violence with well researched facts and unflinching honesty. 3 CD's run about 2 hours and 36 minutes. 10 & up.

Age: Later School Years, Tweens, Teens, Adult. Award Year: 2009. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Always a favorite, this jolly storybook classic is performed with delightful verve by Nick Sullivan. In the best tradition of storytelling he uses many voices to bring each of the characters to life. Mr. Popper has always dreamed of being an explorer and visiting the Antarctic. Although he cannot do that and care for his family he writes to Admiral Drake, who send Mr. Popper a gift--a penguin who changes his life! An old fashioned fantasy that has tickled generations of children since it first appeared in 1938, it has lost none of its charm. Bring home a paperback so that chapter readers can reread the story on their own.
A two disk set that runs about 2 hours. A good choice for a long drive. Unlike so many CD's this one has a crisp and lively sound and some piano music sequences that add to the pace and pleasure.

Age: Early School Years, Later School Years. Award Year: 2009. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Cat, Squirrel and Duck live happily in a little white house where they share music, food and friendship--that is, until Duck decides to try to make Pumpkin Soup. Kathleen McInerney's narration is colorful, the music is lively and both add just the right touch to a little story of friends who fall out and then find a way to make it up. For this time of year, it's so nice to have a pumpkin story without witches and goblins. After you listen to this together, your child can follow the signals for turning the pages and listen alone. After that you just might want to try making some pumpkin soup…even if it does get a little messy. 

Age: Preschool, Early School Years. Award Year: 2009. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

From the opening rendition of Jubilation to the final beat of New River Train as it chugs down the track, this is a foot tappin' treat for the whole family. Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer, Grammy Award winners are in top form and add to the fun with guest hip-hop artist Christylez Bacon. The disk includes not only eight musical numbers on the CD plus three bonus videos that you can view on your computer. Our testers especially liked the Syncopated Washboard Rhythm Song as well as an entertaining version of Hip Hop Humpty Dumpty, that sounds like it might be cute, but turns out to be good fun. Indeed, it's a gem with banjo strumming bluegrass meets hip-hop. A marvelous blend that we'd call a real keeper! You can download the songs on iTunes, Amazon, or at their website, www.cathymarcy.com.

This 2009 Platinum winner was just nominated for the 52nd annual Grammy award for  Best Musical Album for Children.

Age: Preschool, Early School Years. Award Year: 2009. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Another generation heard from!  Sarah Lee, the daughter of Arlo Guthrie and granddaughter of Woody, carries on the family tradition with this lively CD that blends old and new songs. Among our favorites on this 13-track disk are the amusing Oh How He Lied, 'Cuz We’re Cousins, and the traditional She'll be Comin' Round the Mountain. Sarah Lee has a distinctive sound of her own and has composed music to some lyrics her grandfather never put to music, along with a number of all new songs. Guthrie is joined on the CD by her husband, Johnny Irion, their two daughters and none other than Arlo Guthrie, Pete Seeger, and his grandson, Tao Rodriguez Seeger singing along on a few of the songs. The variety of songs and voices are refreshing and all in all this is a winning choice for the whole family.

Age: Preschool, Early School Years. Award Year: 2009. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Tucker, a zippy little dog is all excited about Christmas coming. When he snarfs up a holiday cookie from a hot pan his nose turns bright red! But, not to worry. On Christmas eve he gets to take a special trip with a jolly old fellow and that red nose comes in handy!  Here's a perfect package to take along on a holiday trip or to enjoy at home. It's another charming package in the Candlewick Storybook Animations collection. There's a small book, stickers, a small poster and best of all a two-sided disk that plays a DVD animated version of the story on one side and the audio on the other side. 

Age: Preschool, Early School Years. Award Year: 2009. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

An amazing cast of talent donated their storytelling gifts to the making of this 3 disk set of stories from across the African continent. Hugh Jackman, Whoopi Goldberg,  Benjamin Bratt, Scarlett Johanson, Blair Underwood, Matt Damon, and Helen Mirren among many others tell these classic tales with music by Vusi Mahlasela and Johnny Clegg. The profits from this collection are to go to ANSA, a not-for-profit organization that provides services to AIDS orphans in South Africa. A print version of these stories is available under the same title and published by W.W. Norton. These authentic folktales are not for everyone since some are a little slow. However, these are rewarding tales that often carry a message of wisdom that goes beyond the story. They will be appreciated best by older listeners from 8 & up and their parents, too.

Age: Later School Years, Tweens, Teens. Award Year: 2009. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Middle grade girls are no doubt waiting for this newest title in the popular series. Written for younger readers than her popular Princess Diaries, 9-year old Allie Finkle is easy to relate to and funny although all the events in her young life are not laughable. This time out she is less than thrilled when she does not get cast in as the Princess in the school play. To make matter worse, one of her best friends get that part! Even worse, she is cast as the evil stepmother--the worse part imaginable! A 4 CD set runs 3 hours and 56 minutes.  It could make a long flight or a shut-in afternoon feel much less long.

Age: Later School Years, Tweens. Award Year: 2009. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.

Laura Freeman steers clear of the usual cutsie or gross out humor ditties that are often served up as entertainment for kids. This is real music and a vocal talent that you will enjoy listening to. There's a good variety of rhythms and styles, from blue grass to marches. It's original music that doesn't condescend and Freeman's vocals are accompanied by guitar, uke, mandolin, electric guitar, drums, and bass…not to mention occasional troll, fairies, Frankenstein and frog voices. Many of the songs like Can You Shake It? are an invitation to get up and dance while others are just good listening fun. www.laurafreemanmusic.com

Age: Toddlers, Preschool, Early School Years. Award Year: 2009.

There are some lullaby and quiet time songs along with interactive dance-about tunes. Together they make for a lively listening and doing experience that fit into the day of infants and toddlers. The CD opens with the title song, Beautiful Baby, Wonderful Child, sung with Kisor's original words put to Bach's Prelude in C and moves on to several other songs that one might call love songs from parent to child. Among the loveliest is a lullaby, A Blessing, played and sung to the haunting music of a Native American flute. About half the CD is dedicated to action songs that will get toddlers up on their tippy toes and turning round and round. Also charming is a little tune called I Keep Kiss in My Pocket, that just might make separations a little easier. At the end of the CD there is a reprise of three totally instrumental renditions of three of the quiet tunes introduced earlier. These three will be perfect for a bit of naptime music. http://shop.childreninc.org/beautiful-baby-wonderful-child.

Age: Infants, Toddlers, Preschool. Award Year: 2009. Click here to purchase the product on Amazon.com.