Over the Moon: The Broadway Lullaby Project is both a timeless benefit effort and a uniquely compelling multimedia experience. The project—which incorporates a 2-CD, 26-song set; a lavishly illustrated hardcover book of 17 songs from the album; a corresponding e-book encompassing the entire collection; and a documentary film and web series —gathers many of contemporary musical theatre’s greatest composers and vocalists, as well as illustrators, all of whom have donated their talent to deliver an emotionally affecting set of new lullabies, some written specifically for this project. Proceeds from sales of the book and 2-CD set will benefit breast cancer research, support and education.

Here, for your viewing and posting pleasure, is a behind-the-scenes look at the recording session for “Lucky” (Music and Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, from the opera Seance on a Wet Afternoon). Schwartz, who was inducted into the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame and the Broadway Hall of Fame in 2009, is the composer of the smash Broadway musicals Wicked, Godspell and Pippin.

The song is performed by Tony Award-winning actress & singer Donna Murphy, with Gil Goldstein (piano), and Jody Redhage (cello), produced by Matt Pierson. Illustration by three-time Caldecott Medal winner Marc Simont.

My two children have enjoyed both mommy and daddy reading the Over The Moon book to them before bedtime. And my daughter whom always goes to sleep listening to music has insisted on the accompanying CD many times. I highly recommend the CD to help calm your children into a more restful sleep and in help to calming the business of each day far away.

The book itself is quite a work of art. I enjoyed reading the lullabies and getting lost in the beautifully expressive heartfelt lyrics and illustrations. The lullaby It’s Time Little Man brought a whirlwind of emotion to me making me realize how fast my 16 month old baby boy is growing up and that before I know it he’ll be big and grown. There are many other titles in this book that really touched me as well but that one just really stood out.

I would highly recommend the Over the Moon: The Broadway Lullaby Project. You can purchase Over the Moon: The Broadway Lullaby Project on Amazon.com for $12.89 right now! I promise it’ll be a special collection that you’ll enjoy just as much as your children ( maybe even more too!)

Disclaimer: I was sent the above mentioned product to review. This review is 100% my opinion and has not been edited or reviewed by anyone. I was not compensated in any other way for this product review.

Am I ever thrilled about spreading the news about Yo Gabba Gabba’s brand new live DVD “There’s a Party in My City”! My daughter age 3 1/2 years old and my son age 1 are huge fans of Yo Gabba Gabba. Even my husband and I are fans of the shows, and that’s something that often doesn’t just happen. You’ve got a total win when it comes to entertainment that both children and adults can enjoy together.

Yo Gabba Gabba! has a great cast of fun loving characters that teach children lessons in friendship, not giving up, healthy eating, facing fears, and solving many more issues that kids could be facing. One of the reasons we love this show is because it’s very musical, unique, and super colorful! And they managed to pull of being just as awesome live as on the TV show itself and honestly, I can’t say that about a few other live shows I’ve seen.

In “Yo Gabba Gabba! Live! There’s a Party in My City!” the full cast is there, D.J. Lance Rock, Brobee, Toodee, Foofa, Plex, Muno, and many other familiar special guest such as beatboxing legend Biz Markie performing Biz’s Beat of the Day, the incomparable Leslie Hall & DO IT teaching a Dancey Dance, and Super Music Friends Show guest The Aquabats performing everyone’s favorite, “Pool Party.”

My children were so excited when I popped this DVD into our player! They watched it from start to end and sang and danced along with their favorite characters really getting into it all and then asking to watch the 110 minute feature again! I don’t know but that sounds like a real win to me! I even enjoyed watching all the added bonus content on the DVD which included guest interviews and much more!

I highly recommend “Yo Gabba Gabba! Live! There’s a Party in My City!” to all Gabba fans and if you haven’t seen the show, I encourage you to check it out because it’s totally awesome!

Along with the DVD, we were also sent the Yo Gabba Gabba book “It’s Okay Try Again” to review. First, I love this book is in board book format because I’ve got two kids that have been giving this title lots of use! The more durable the better! The book itself is 14 pages long and is based off one of Yo Gabba Gabba’s popular songs from their hit show.

I love the message behind the song and like how the book itself is like a mini episode from the tv show. Brobee get’s frustrated while playing a game but is encouraged to try again and not to give up. This a great message for children of all ages, especially those that are beginning to learn how to handle their feelings. A great way to open the door to discuss with your child about their feelings and what he or she could do instead of getting really upset. Great book, it was definitely a hit with my both my son and daughter!

BUY IT

NCircle Entertainment offers this DVD for $9.99 on their website though you can also find it at places like Wal*Mart, Kmart, Target, Toys R Us, and my favorite online market place Amazon.com. Amazon currently has Yo Gabba Gabba: There’s a Party in My City! Live Concert on Amazon for only $8.99 and the book: It’s Okay, Try Again! (Yo Gabba Gabba!) on Amazon for only $5.99!

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I’m excited that one lucky US winner will get the chance to win the
Yo Gabba Gabba: There’s a Party in My City! Live Concert DVD
and the It’s Okay, Try Again! (Yo Gabba Gabba!) Book.

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Disclaimer: I was sent the above product mentioned for review. This review is 100% my opinion and has not been edited or reviewed by anyone. I was not compensated in any other way for this product review.not giving

Delicious encourages adventurous eating as it moves happily through the seasons of the year, with songs ranging from the jazz-influenced title track exploring the many flavors of food to a rock anthem in praise of waffles! Other highlights include “Farmers’ Market,” in which folk and rock combine with a dash of pop and a pinch of gospel, and “Chase That Pig,” where opera meets Zydeco. There’s even a nod to Santana in the Latin infuse “Rice and Beans,” a song that is also a Puerto Rican recipe taught to Steve Pierce by Tamsen’s husband, Eduardo. The album’s finale, the “Garden Song,” was inspired by the simplicity of Kaulana Kanekoa and Vince Esquire’s version of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” with just three voices and ukulele, recorded live.

Our Thoughts…

Orange Sherbert’s Delicious is fun album for children with a main theme that encourages eating and exploring new flavors while moving through each and every season song by song to the end of album. I really enjoyed this CD as I love gardening and preparing meals for family and friends! I’m currently focusing on teaching these skills and privileged ability to each of my children. I think it’s important to teach children to love and respect the earth also since it’s our food source and I like that this collection of songs encourages in it’s own way to children to try new things to eat.

There are 17 songs total which total about 40 minutes. A few of our favorites are Garden Song (Inch by Inch), Tea Time, and Through the Seasons though we really love them all!

I highly recommend this CD for children of all ages! It’s a great collection encouraging families to eat, grow, prepare, and enjoy all types of food. Be warned though, you’ll probably be hungry after listening. So listen after eating, or listen while cooking and be inspired by thoughtful, fun songs that not only your kids will love but parents too!

You can listen to sample tracks from Delicious and to learn more about Orange Sherbet and their music, visit www.orangesherbet.org. 

Disclaimer: I was sent the above product mentioned for review. This review is 100% my opinion and has not been edited or reviewed by anyone. I was not compensated in any other way for this product review.

I’m excited to spread the news that Sukey Molloy, recent winner of a NAPPA, Children’s Music Web, Preferred Choice, and Mom’s Choice Awards winner is releasing her third music album on the 24th of April, “I Am Happy”.

Sukey’s latest album “I Am Happy” features 18 fun filled songs that make the CD about 40 minutes long. This album went over great with my children (ages nearly four and fourteen months old). As soon, as the CD started playing, my kids started acting out the movements mentioned in the songs, dancing, and singing along. The songs were pleasantly upbeat and not over the top, I was pleased for the mellowness and I loved seeing how interactive my children became with it.

A few of the songs that I’m a fan of are “The Counting Song”, a song that teaches children how to count to ten in English, Spanish, German, French, and Japanese! “Raindrops” a song that celebrates the rain (
which we see almost everyday in Oregon) and talks about what things to wear when out in the rain, and my daughter’s most favorite activity, puddle jumping!

The songs are catchy in lyrics and in tune. I’ve even found myself humming the songs through out the day! I love that I can see my children not only having fun but learning things in the process! Overall, we highly recommend ”I Am Happy” to parents and educators of children up to the age of five.

You can learn more about this title at: http://sukeymolloy.com! Also be sure to check out Sukey’s Circle! DVD on Amazon.com.

Disclosure: I received the above mentioned products in exchange for my opinion of them. This review is 100% my opinion and has not been edited or reviewed by anyone. I was not compensated in any other way for this product review.

I simply adore the musical collections by Putmayo Kids and am extremely pleased with their latest offering called “Instrumental Dreamland”. This collection, in fact, is the first all-instrumental album from the label and is also the 6th release from the award winning Dreamland series. This a series that parents rejoice in knowing their children will sleep easier being lulled to sleep by such melodic songs that are completely calming and simply ideal for relaxing and slipping off into sweet sleep.

There are 11 tracks total, featuring exceptional renditions of such classics as “Brahms’ Lullaby,” “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” and “What a Wonderful World.” I love that the CD is completely instrumental as it really brings out the sounds of the instruments being played such as the harp, piano, acoustic guitar and kora.

My daughter listens to music during bedtime and I am glad to put Putumayo Kids Instrumental Dreamland on for her. I have to admit that I’ve copied this CD to my computer and iPod and have been found listening during the afternoon and before bedtime for myself. Sometime the stresses of the day are known to overcome but putting this CD on really soothes and calms everything down not for not just my kids but for myself as well.

I highly recommend adding Instrumental Dreamland to your collection and promise that you won’t be disappointed in the very least.

Instrumental Dreamland, Brazilian Playground and other Putumayo Kids CDs are available through retailers in more than 70 countries. Putumayo Kids is committed to introducing children to the world through engaging international music. For more information on the Dreamland series and other Putumayo Kids releases and events, visit www.putumayokids.com.

You can purchase Instrumental Dreamland on Amazon.com for $13.09 right now and it’s eligible for free shipping.

Disclosure: I received the above mentioned products in exchange for my opinion of them. This review is 100% my opinion and has not been edited or reviewed by anyone. I was not compensated in any other way for this product review.

La Bella Stella, fifth in the “Celebrate Earth series” by award-winning company Recess Music is a great earth friendly collection of songs to teach children about the environment. This CD is out just in time to celebrate Earth Day 2012 and I’m excited about using it with my children during our homeschooling time.

Found on La Bella Stella are  songs covering lots of great information about the solar system, galaxy, planets, gravity, the dark and more that are sure to delight any listener. The songs are mellow and feature styles such as percussion, country, strings, jazz, to name just a few. The tracks all meld wonderfully together and feature well know children’s artist such as Rocknoceros, Charity and the JAMband, and AudraRox.

One of our favorite songs on this CD is “I Love the Dark”. This song is great to share with children about not being afraid but to embrace it in all it’s beauty of listening to crickets, being mesmerized by the fireflies, admiring the twinkling starts, and to enjoy the light of the moon. It teaches children to be more curious and aware with the world in dark around them. I like this song very much and all of the others on La Bella Stella.

La Bella Stella is the perfect collection to listen to at anytime but my daughter specifically likes to listen to it at night before she goes to sleep. It’s a great mood setter as she drifts off to sleep, I believe. This CD’s total runtime is 41 minutes featuring 15 tracks, and best suited for children age 4-11 years old.

A portion of the proceeds from “La Bella Stella” will benefit the McAuliffe-Shepard Discovery Center in Concord, New Hampshire, which is dedicated to educating learners of all ages by actively engaging them in the exploration of astronomy, aviation, Earth and space science.

How about picking up your own copy just in time for Earth Day? La Bella Stella is available for purchase online at www.recessmusic.com, Amazon.com (pre order 12.04) and its international affiliates, iTunes, and brick and mortar retailers throughout the U.S.

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I’m excited to be giving away one copy of this great CD!
Please enter below for your chance to win.

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Disclosure: I received the above mentioned products in exchange for my opinion of them. This review is 100% my opinion and has not been edited or reviewed by anyone. I was not compensated in any other way for this product review.

Two-time Grammy winner Bill takes us back to his boyhood with stories about summer at the community pool, field trips to the state house and a Valentine’s Day disaster. Heartfelt and witty, Harley’s tales engage kids like no other and send adults on a trip to their own past. Are these stories true? Bill says, “The more I tell them, the truer they get…”

Who is Billy Harley? A two-time Grammy award-winning artist, recipient of a Lifetime Achievement Award from the RI Council for the Humanities, Bill uses song and story to paint a vibrant and hilarious picture of growing up, schooling and family life. His work spans the generation gap, reminds us of our common humanity and challenges us to be our very best selves. A prolific author and recording artist, Bill is also a regular commentator for NPR’s “All Things Considered” and featured on PBS. He joined the National Storytelling Network’s Circle of Excellence in 2001 and tours nationwide as an author, performing artist and keynote speaker.

Our Take…

Bill Harley’s High Dive and Other Things that Could Have Happened is a fun collection of stories of life experiences from his own life. After listening and being quite amused by the stories shared, I came to the conclusion that it would be best suited for children (mainly boys) ages six years old and up though the experiences really can be a thrill for anyone to listen and relate too.

There are three stories which include “High Dive”, “Field Trip”, and ” Monster Valentine”. Some of the stories also have accompanying music. I think Bill does a great job in sharing these stories being very descriptive and getting the point and image across. I hung on every word being told while also laughing out loud at brief moments. Listening to these stories makes me wonder what I have in store and what stories and memories my own children will be creating such as these. I can only hope they’d be as amusing and that we can look back and laugh at them and share them for future generations.

I think this collection would be great to listen to on a long car trip this Spring and Summer season but not limited too! Prepare to be amused and be sure to pick up your own copy today. You can order the CD from Bill Harley’s website.

Disclosure: I received the above mentioned products in exchange for my opinion of them. This review is 100% my opinion and has not been edited or reviewed by anyone. I was not compensated in any other way for this product review.

I think it’s really important to teach my children about historical figures past and present that have and are making an impact on the lives of those around them. Award winning children’s music artist Ellis Paul also felt greatly about this need to be shared not only to his own daughter’s but to other familes and came out with a great new music CD called “The Hero in You” which is the first in a planned series focusing on heroes of all kinds.

This is not the first but a second soon to be well loved family music album available by Ellis Paul. The Hero in You in fact, follows The Dragonfly Races, Paul’s best-selling and award-winning 2007 family music album. This cd is a real treat and not only includes a great number of songs but also a colorful keepsake booklet featuring Paul’s illustrations.

There are fourteen tracks total on this CD and songs about people like Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Edison, Jackie Robinson, Woody Guthrie, and Rosa Parks, and some are not as familiar, but just as noteworthy for their accomplishments. I enjoyed learning through song and am thrilled to be able to share this important inspiring musical collection with my children in a fun and inviting way!

This is a great CD for the family. You’ll not only be encouraging and teaching your children about important people of all kinds but it will send the message that your children can go out and do big things too! I highly recommend this cd for home and classroom use!

Get the latest information about Ellis Paul’s music and performances, and visit his blog at:www.ellispaul.com

Bari Koral’s Family Rock Band’s latest music CD Anna and the Cupcakes just released this month and we are really excited about it! My daughter Melody was ecstatic when she heard the latest offering playing in our CD player.  She’s currently a huge fan of Bari’s first CD Rock and Roll Garden which became a hit on the family-music scene, won critical acclaim, and became an award winner, including the Nappa Gold and Parent’s Choice silver!  

We highly recommend Bari Koral’s Family Rock Band’s latest music CD Anna and the Cupcakes! It’s a CD that not only the kids will like but I bet parents will too (I know I do!)! You can purchase this CD $11.58 or digital copy for 7.99 right now on Amazon.com.

Two Readers will get the chance to win their very own copy of Anna and the Cupcakes!

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Disclosure: This review is 100% my opinion and has not been edited or reviewed by anyone.I was not compensated in any other way for this product review.