World of Dreams: Soothing Songs & Lullabies CD by Charlie Hope
Release Date: July 22, 2009
Little Maple Leaf Productions
Cautions: None

Kiwi Magazine Review:
I am very happy that someone thought to send a Charlie Hope CD to me because she is a new favorite children’s music artist. There are some amazing children’s artists on the shelves lately, and Charlie Hope is in good company with some of the best lyricists and vocalists out there. Her soothing and intoxicating voice will even have mom and dad playing this CD even when the kids aren’t around.

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Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas (Book & CD)
by Liz Murphy
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Publisher: Blue Apple Books; Rei/Com edition (September 30, 2009)
Cautions: None

Kiwi Magazine Review:
This is a sweet little holiday gift book/CD which keeps giving; proceeds are donated to Broadway Barks which helps shelter animals become adopted. The text of the book is the title song, and a cute little dog prepares for the holidays (no yellow snow here!).

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B Is For Bob CD; Bob Marley and the Wailers
Polydor / Umgd June 2009
Ages: Whole family
Cautions: None

Kiwi Magazine Review:
Before I became a parent and comfortably resided as the favorite aunt, I always made statements like “Kids music makes me nuts - my kids will only listen to the Beatles.” While I have come to terms with some of the sing songy covers of “Wheels on the Bus,” I jumped for joy at Ziggy Marley’s new CD B is for Bob where he gently remasters some of his father’s songs to present a CD that the whole family can get their arms around. With Ziggy’s own recent release of a new CD, this one-two Marley set of CDs will buy you at least 2 hours of peace in the car.

Product Description:
B is for Bob is a collection of original Bob Marley songs re-imagined for kids and fans of all ages.

The international musical legend’s eldest son, four-time Grammy winner Ziggy Marley, executive produced the album, which bridges the gap between the timeless Bob Marley and a new generation of kids.

Bob Marley’s music touches people of all ages. With children in mind, Ziggy has transformed 8 of his father’s songs while leaving 4 of Bob Marley’s other masterpieces untouched.

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Recess Monkey - FIELD TRIP! CD
Monkey Mama: June 9, 2009
Ages: 3-8
Cautions: Get ready to rock!

Kiwi Magazine Review:
We admit it. The UPS and USPS trucks bring new books, DVDs and CDs to our doorstep daily. But nothing incites a genuine high-pitched, high-decibel squeal like opening the mail to find the latest Recess Monkey CD. Unquestionably the best rock band out there, they know exactly the right note to hit with their audience (who still may be of the age to be literally and figuratively rocked to sleep).

These former teachers know the formula that adds up to great music with spot-on themes including “Haven’t Got a Pet Yet.” What kid hasn’t thought about creating a powerpoint presentation to convince the parents that he or she is the ONLY KID IN THE UNIVERSE who doesn’t have a pet? Our favorite line in the song has to be a take on Aretha Franklin’s “RESPECT” when the band croons “R-E-S-P-onsibility —find out what it means to me.” Pure genius. And that is just one of 15 great songs.

Oh no! I am pretty sure I just gushed.

Description:
The three members of Recess Monkey are teachers who met while working at the same Seattle school. The trio’s genuine enthusiasm for a grad school project morphed into their 2005 debut release Welcome to Recess Monkey Town.

Notes Jack Forman, “All of the songs on Field Trip were inspired by field trips we’ve taken with our classes. The album is part Magical Mystery Tour, part Mr. Rogers, and part Muppet Show, but it’s all based on the kids that we teach and our memories of being young. We recorded the songs during weekends and holiday vacations from school this past winter in the music room at the school where we all met and where Drew and I still teach - tapping into the energy that fills our classrooms and those halls every day. Recording this album felt as though, after being at sea for a year teaching and playing shows, we had briefly come back into port to share some of the things that we’d heard!”

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Soyeon Lee - Re!nvented
Audio CD - April 21, 2009
Koch Int’l Classics
Piano
Ages - all

Kiwi Magazine Review:
Perhaps best-known for her stunning statement of wearing a dress made of recycled waste, gifted young Korean pianist Soyeon Lee spoke volumes without saying a word. Even with her controversial juice-pouch couture, nothing can outshine the amazing music produced for her Re!nvented CD. The music

From the publicist:
Soyeon’s piano recital dress was made from recycled waste: 6,000 grape juice containers of the soft-pouch type. The dress was introduced at the concert, no less, by the film actress and eco-activist Daryl Hannah. The dress was the result of Soyeon Lee’s call to TerraCycle (a company devoted to making consumer products out of garbage - the founder happens to be Soyeon Lee’s husband, Tom Szaky), Honest Tea and designer Nina Valenti.

Re!nvented is the first-ever eco awareness classical concert presented by pianist Soyeon Lee, inspired by Live Earth and ignited by a garbage can overflowing with non-recyclable aluminum drink pouches. This is an unprecedented platform for bringing exceptional classical music and environmental awareness together.

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Robbert Bobbert and the Bubble Machine CD
www.myspace.com/robbertbobbert
Little Monster Records, 2009
Cautions - None
Ages 3-100

Kiwi Magazine Review
Daddy’s got a brand new band! Or maybe this rock (hus)band just realizes that kids have great taste in music, too? From the mouse rapping Fee Fi Fo, Fee Fi Fum (this little mouse better run, run, run) to the sublime Boom Boom, this CD is well-rounded fun. The sounds we hear seem influenced by The Beach Boys, Beatles, Alvin and the Chipmunks and perhaps 80s television theme songs? A big mosaic of amazing sound. Ignore the scratchy 5-o’clock shadow and lean in for a smooch.

Description from Producer:
The long-awaited debut kids album from Apples in Stereo frontguy Robert Schneider is available now. The fully awesome package will include comic and coloring books by illustrator Todd Webb as well as Robbert Bobbert’s newest invention, a Shiny Silver Sound Extension. http://www.littlemonsterrecords.com/

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Blue Tail Fly - Rick Gallagher CD
RiDGeToNe Music: November 2008
Ages 0-100
Cautions: Songs stick in your head like glue for days.

Kiwi Magazine Review:
Big toes and little toes won’t be able to stop tapping when big ears and little ears hear the sweet sounds of Rick Gallagher who plays childhood favorites in a grand solo jazz piano style. We’re tempted to hold an adults-only dinner party with this as the soundtrack and see if anyone notices that they’re listening to Pop Goes the Weasel in the background. And, if you’re a parent whose ears are offended by the sing-songy shout-screaming variety of kids’ music, you’re definitely going to have to add this one to your music library. I find I listen to it with no kids around.

The CD is divided into Playtime and Sleepytime so you know just which one to play at the appropriate time of the day. If we haven’t convinced you that this is great music, buy it because Rick Gallagher has four kids!

Producer’s Description:
Blue Tail Fly is a solo piano collection of children’s song and lullabies. The album’s 22 songs are comprised mostly of classic American folklore tunes and nursery rhyme themes. Rick blends elements of folk, jazz, gospel, and blues into familiar children’s melodies creating unique, memorable arrangements.

Blue Tail Fly is comprised of two sections, Playtime and Sleepytime. Playtime is a perfect companion for your child’s or student’s creative play and artistic development, while Sleepytime is intended to help relax and calm children. Blue Tail Fly is a great resource for families, teachers, daycare facilities, music therapists, hospitals and the young at heart.

10% of all proceeds are donated to the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC Free Care Fund.

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Daddy A Go Go - Come On, Get Happy! CD
2008
Ages 3-13
Cautions: None

Kiwi Magazine Review
I’m wondering if every dad secretly dreams of being a rock star or if every male rock star dreams of being a dad. Either way, talented singers and songwriters are always welcome in the world of children’s music. After all, every parent was a kid once and we all like good music - that never changes. Parents today have a plethora of excellent rock music choices; it’s just that this rock is about missing teddy bears, birthday cake and cleaning rooms. My hands-down favorite title from this CD is : “Pink Floyd Saves Hugh Manatee.”

Description from Producers:
Daddy A Go Go is the brainchild of John Boydston, who writes, records, (mostly) plays and produces the music you hear on a Daddy a Go Go CD. He was born in Oklahoma, and graduated from the University of Oklahoma Masters in Journalism, and is still known to shout “Go Sooners,” sometimes at completely inappropriate moments. He spent ten years working as a TV News producer, making stops at CNN and WSVN-TV along the way, before leaving the biz in the early ’90s to become a stay-at-home dad.

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Review by Melissa Errico in Kiwi Magazine’s November 2008 issue:

Let Go, Toby Lightman (T Killa Music, 2008)

“Toby Lightman’s new album is a wonderful collection of energetic acoustic soul music to get your day started with pep. Tracks like ‘Let Go’ and ‘So Natural To Love’ are especially invigorating. I’ve performed with her a few times—Toby inspires listeners as she creates music from her heart.”  Visit Toby Lightman (who is a Cherry Hill, NJ native) at (www.myspace.com/tobylightman) to hear songs from this album.

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