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 Music
for Little People 15th Anniversary Collection
(Music for Little People $7.98/$11.98) What a treasure trove of
winners on a single disk! You'll find songs from Buckwheat Zydeco,
Raffi, Sweet Honey In the Rock, Taj Mahal, and The Persuasions,
to name just a few. This is sure to become a favorite for the whole
family! (46 min.) (800) 409-2457.
When Night Falls
(SonyClassical $16.97) Angelika Kirchschlanger sings heavenly night
music by such greats as Sondheim, Schubert, Copland, Brahms, and
Menotti. Her silky mezzo-soprano voice will appeal to little opera
buffs in the making-not to mention their older counterparts!
Musical Soup: Mozart for Toddlers
(em-bry-on-ics $11.97) We put this here instead of in the classics
section because there's such a range of music to march, gallop,
and spin to in this magnificent collection! Unlike so many classic
compilations, this has true sound quality. Also from the same collection,
disregard their age labels: Wombsong Mozart & Serenades. (800) 344-2229.
Rhythm In My Shoes
(Rounder $16.95) Jessica Harper's songs are going to get kids up
on their feet and dancing to sambas, rap, swing, and reggae beats!
Harper's lyrics are child-centered-her music is crisp and refreshing!
3 & up (800) 768-6337.
Under Tables, Out Back Doors
(Souper Music $14.95) "Put your hand in the hand of the person next
to you" and tell them about this lively songfest for the preschool
set! Sue Trainor's collection of songs for kids has variety, humor,
and an upbeat pulse. (410) 381-2834.
Pete Seeger American Folk, Game & Activity Songs
for Children
(Smithsonian Folkways $15) Roll up the carpet and get ready to dance!
You'll have a library of the best-loved folksongs and games with
this reissue of Seeger's classic "American Folk Songs for Children"
and his "American Game and Activity Songs for Children." Accompanied
by his banjo, Seeger sings 22 well loved tunes such as "Bought Me
a Cat," "Shoo Fly," "This Old Man," "Skip to my Lou," and "Clap
Your Hands." 3-7. (800) 410-9815.
Classical Child
(MetroMusic $15.95) Selections are by turns as playful as "Papagena!"
from The Magic Flute, as powerful as the "Anvil Chorus" from Il
Trovatore, as heavenly as the "Flower Duet" from Lakme. What a splendid
way to introduce young listeners to the opera! (888) 433-4408.
Once Upon a Bedtime Story
(Fabulous Records $15.99/10.99 CD or tape) Jane Yolen, author extraordinaire,
puts on her storytelling hat to narrate a collection of eleven well-loved
stories such as "Stone Soup," "Three Little Pigs," and "Billy Goats
Gruff." Punctuated with sounds and music that add without intruding,
this is a gem for anytime-not just bedtime! 4-7.
The Farewell Symphony
(by Anna H. Celenza/illus. by JoAnn E. Kitchel, Charlesbridge $19.95/
with CD of Symphonies No. 45 & 31) Papa Haydn and his musicians
are busy playing and working at Prince Nicholas' summer palace.
But when their seemingly endless separation from their families
stretches from summer into fall, Haydn has a plan. Based on Haydn's
diaries, this charming story explains how his Symphony No. 45 really
was a farewell opus!
Harry Potter Audio Tapes/CD
(Listening Library $30 each set) Taking a long trip? Don't leave
home without at least one of these eight-hour cassette or CD sets
of all four Harry Potter books. Jim Dale's narration will captivate
and entertain the whole family. We tried these out with a carful
of Potter fans who were skeptical about how the different characters
would be treated. Dale uses a delicious mix of voices that adds
much to the enjoyment of listening to a familiar story. (800) 243-4504.
Listening Library
(Listening Library $9.95-$35) Not all story tapes are equal. A solo
narrator holding a listener's attention for several hours is no
small feat! Here are the best of the year: James Avery's masterful
characterizations add rich flavor to the unforgettable Bud, Not
Buddy PLATINUM AWARD, Christopher Curtis' Newbery book set in
the '30s. Ten-year-old Bud loses his mother, runs away from cruel
foster parents, but keeps his hope and sense of humor. 10 & up.
Also top-rated: Victor Garbor's lively readings of the Bunnicula
books; Bat 6 by Virginia E. Wolff, the story of a girl's
softball team read by a cast of 10; P.S. Longer Letter Later,
a correspondence read by the authors, Paula Danzinger and Ann M.
Martin. 8 & up. Previous winners: Mindy W. Skolsky's Love from
Your Friend, Hannah, PLATINUM AWARD '00. (800) 243-4504.
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