Audio

-- School Library Journal, 12/1/2005

Language Arts | Literature | Music | Social Studies

Language Arts

Arthur King and the Curious Case of the Time Train (unabr.). 4 cassettes. 3:57 hrs. Prod. by Chiver's Children's Audio Books. Dist. by BBC Audiobooks America. 2005. ISBN 1-4056-5050-8. $32.95.

Gr 5-8–Arthur King channels Sherlock Holmes in this second tale about the nerdy boy by Dean Wilkinson (published in the UK by Scholastic Ltd, 2003). Strange occurrences are the norm at Basselton School this year. Rips in the fabric of time are leaving bewildered people hours out of sync with their lives. Cavemen mug Arthur's best friend in the restroom at school. Nightly rumblings are heard beneath the town; some say it's the sound of a ghost train. Arthur believes there is a link between the unsavory new physics teacher and these unusual incidents. Arthur enlists the help of several people, including the girl he has a crush on, to help him solve the mystery. British actor Steven Pacey employs different British accents for the characters, some so thick that they are difficult to understand. Boys will especially enjoy the toilet humor found here. British slang is used liberally throughout the book, and some of the strong language may be offensive.–Stephanie Bange, Wilmington-Stroop Branch, Dayton Metro Library, OH

The Bellywog! (and Other Strange Stories). 1 CD. 54:34 min. Prod. by Needlenose Prods. Dist. by CDBaby.com. 2004. $15 (+$3.50 s/h).

K-Gr 4–Storyteller Keith Munslow brings his spirited and silly delivery to six stories old and new.The title tale combines a made-up legend about a creature that causes bellyaches with a fairy tale about a king who becomes one of the bellywog's victims along with an hilariously skewed story-within-a-story retelling of "The Three Bears" performed by Munslow and his niece. "What's That We Hear?" is a brief, rhyming story perfect for classroom sharing, and "Don't Go to the Bog, Bob" is a silly extended tongue twister. "Sugar Mountain" and "Old Man Gravy" hit all the right notes for Halloween, and the final rhyming fantasy, "I Touched a Star," provides a wistful conclusion to the album. A worthy addition to any storytelling collection.–Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll County Public Library, MD

The Book without Words: A Fairy Tale of Medieval Magic (unabr.). 3 cassettes or 4 CDs. 4:30 hrs. Recorded Books. 2005. cassette: ISBN 1-4193-5055-2, $42.75; CD: ISBN 1-4193-5557-0, $52.75; read-along pack: $75.74.

Gr 5-8–Atmospheric and spooky, Avi's novel (Hyperion, 2005) offers an intriguing mix of history and magic. Set in Britain in 1046, the book begins with Thorston, an old and cranky alchemist, trying to create something sinister in his bricked up house. He stole the Book without Words and is trying to use it for his own wicked purposes. Odo, his talking raven, and Sybil, Thorston's poor servant girl, believe he used the book to make gold and want the secret, but Thorston has something even more rare and precious in mind. Sybil and Odo are stymied when their master appears to die. What do they do? Their adventures are just beginning–they must contend with town authorities, a strange monk, and two green-eyed boys, all of whom are interested in the alchemist's secrets. Narrator John Curless makes each character immediately recognizable with a distinctive voice, and his rendition of Odo is particularly striking. Sure to be popular with historical fiction, fantasy, and Avi fans.–Charli Osborne, Oxford Public Library, MI

The Callahan Cousins, Book 1: Summer Begins (unabr.) 5 cassettes or 6 CDs. 6:15 hrs. Recorded Books. 2005. cassette, ISBN 1-4193-5062-5: $32.95; CD, ISBN 1-4193-5561-9: $58.75; read-along pack: $76.74.

Gr 3-6–Four 12-year-old cousins are spending the summer with Grandma Gee on Gull Island in this book by Elizabeth Doyle Carey (Little, 2005). Each girl has a distinct personality–artist, bookworm, and so forth. The book focuses on Hillary who is facing her parents' impending divorce. Her lack of security in her family situation leads her to revive an old island rivalry between the Callahans and the Bickets–the planting of a clan flag on another, much smaller island. To complete her task, she must enlist her cousins' help, and together they must refurbish a small boat, research the tides and channels, and learn and apply sailing skills. The rivalry threatens to revive bad feelings on the island, but Hillary finds a way to reconcile the two battling clans and her own conflicted emotions about her parents. Read by Stina Nielsen, who gives individual voices to the characters, this title is reminiscent of series such as Trixie Belden or the Bobbsey Twins. Money never seems to be an issue, adult supervision is minimal, and the preteens are footloose and fancy-free. In fact, the text is so reminiscent of those older books that mentions of The Gap store seem jarring. Still, young readers won't notice or care. They'll just enjoy following the exploits of the four girls, and look forward to the next book in the series.–Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary School, Federal Way, WA

Charm School (unabr.). 2 cassettes. 2:55 hrs. Prod. by Cover to Cover. Dist. by BBC Audiobooks America. 2005. ISBN 1-85549-873-1. $18.95.

Gr 2-4–Bonny's day in Charm School turns out to be even worse than she expected with a group of beautiful but vain and back-stabbing girls all vying for the coveted "Glistering Tiara" of Charm School. Luckily Bonny is able to escape backstage to deal with the sound and lighting instead of being forced to listen to constant talk about cosmetics, diets, and how to act like a little lady. The girls are ruthlessly mean to each other as they try to make the others insecure before the big show. Bonny tries to be friends with one of the girls, but they end up having a fierce quarrel that takes forgiveness on both sides to overcome. Bonny perseveres in her attempts to get the girls to lighten up and care more about their talent than their appearance. The result is an entirely original and hilarious show for the "Glistering Tiara" that no one will soon forget. English actress Prunella Scale narrates British author Anne Fine's story with different voices that reveal the personality of each character. Realistic sound effects enhance the story as Bonny mans the backstage booth. This is a light-hearted look at friendship, beauty pageants, and the beauty industry from the perspective of an ordinary English girl who is more self-assured that she realizes.–Teresa Wittmann, Westgate Elementary School, Edmonds, WA

The Chronicles of Ancient Darkness, Book 1: Wolf Brother (unabr.). 5 cassettes or 6 CDs. 6:30 hrs. Recorded Books. 2005. cassette, ISBN 1-4193-2626-0: $49.75; CD, ISBN 1-4193-3808-0: $58.75; read-along pack: $82.74.

Gr 5-9–Michelle Paver's novel (HarperCollins, 2005), set during the Stone Age, explores the world of early humans in multiple dimensions: their relationship to the natural world, their social and political organization, the role of spiritual beliefs, and the experience of the individual. Torak, a boy of about 12, is orphaned in the book's opening scene, his father succumbing to the ravages of an attack by a monstrous bear. Soon after setting out on his own, in what seems to be a northern European forest, Torak adopts a wolf cub, another orphan. Their journey takes on well-woven touches of mysticism as other humans recognize Torak's power as the Listener and he, in turn, recognizes in Wolf the animal's power as the Guide–all in the effort to turn away the destructiveness of the giant bear. Actor Ian McKellen (Lord of the Rings) reads in a gruff, deep voice that lightens whenever he speaks the words of Torak and his eventual companion, a girl named Wren. Landscape and the early human interpretations of its portents are vividly drawn here in Paver's words and McKellen's voicing. The brutality suffered by Torak, Wolf, Wren, and other humans and animals lends elements of horror to the story, encouraging crossover audiences to explore that genre as well as historical fiction. Listeners will look forward to Torak's further adventures. A promising initiation into the human past.–Francisca Goldsmith, Berkeley Public Library, CA

Clemency Pogue: Fairy Killer (unabr.). 2 cassettes or 2 CDs. 2:15 hrs. Recorded Books. 2005. cassette, ISBN 1-4193-4354-8: $19.75; CD, ISBN 1-4193-5573 -2: $12.75; read-along pack: $29.70.

Gr 3-6–Clemency Pogue comes from a family of fantasy storytellers, but she is completely surprised when the Fairy of Frequent and Painful Pointless Antagonism meets her in the woods and stings her repeatedly. When Clemency is about to drop to her death in a deep gorge, she shouts "I don't believe in fairies" seven times before the wicked fairy finally dies. However, she finds out from an ugly hobgoblin that she has also killed six other fairies with her careless words. After unwittingly learning the hobgoblin's true name, Chaphesmeeso, and thus having power over him forever, Clemency travels the world with him in order to try to undo her misdeeds. She is able to revive some of the good fairies, such as the Tooth Fairy and the Fairy of Love and Tenderness, or at least finish their good deeds all in a day. While trying to save a child in Russia and revive the Fairy of Noninvasive Surgery who has died in her ear with the pea she was attempting to remove, Clemency must muster all her courage and wits to fight her fairy nemesis once again. Actor L.J. Ganser narrates J.T. Petty's fantasy (S & S, 2005), giving each character a distinctive voice that adds to the humor and adventure of the story. Imaginative similes, clever wordplay, and somewhat sophisticated humor and vocabulary make this an appealing story for young fantasy lovers.–Teresa Wittmann, Westgate Elementary School, Edmonds, WA

The Echo in the Chimney & The Magic in the Mirror (unabr.). 2 cassettes. 1:48 hrs. Prod. by Chivers Children's Audio Books. Dist. by BBC Audiobooks America. 2005. ISBN 1-4056-5016-8. $18.95.

Gr 2-4–Nine-year-old best friends Danny, Nathan, and Anna live with their families in Paradise House along with Old MacDonald the caretaker and a variety of eccentric characters in these stories by award-winning children's author Hilary McKay. In The Echo in the Chimney, Danny is afraid that his apartment is haunted when he hears a horrible shrieking noise in the middle of the night.When he, his mother, and Old MacDonald investigate, they discover that there is a jackdaw stuck in the chimney. When they finally lure the bird out of the chimney, Danny names him Silver, nurses the jackdaw back to health, and helps him to fly again so that he can rejoin his family.In The Magic in the Mirror, Anna Lee becomes upset when she discovers that the magic she believed made reflections in a spoon appear upside down doesn't really exist. When her mother sees how disappointed Anna is, she shows her daughter a special box that contains juggling balls, dolls, and a beautiful Chinese coat that has been passed down for generations. For several mornings, Anna sneaks out of bed in the coat to look in a mirror. She believes that the reflection in the mirror is her great grandmother, encouraging her to sneak out to the park, befriend the stray cat, and paint a dragon on the storeroom floor. When Anna's early morning adventures are discovered, she realizes that she can find happiness without the items in the box. Veteran actress Sophie Aldred gives each of the characters a distinctive voice, bringing these simple, gentle stories to life. A nice addition to early elementary school collections.–Veronica Schwartz, Des Plaines Public Library, IL

The Edge Chronicles, Book 1: Beyond the Deepwoods (unabr.). 4 cassettes or 5 CDs. 6:17 hrs. Prod. by Listening Library. Dist. by Listening Library/Books on Tape. 2005. cassette, ISBN 0-307-24602-7: $35; CD, ISBN 0-307-24603-5: $45.

Gr 5-8–Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell's first book in the series (Random, 2004) is chock full of bizarre happenings, incongruities, and perilous adventures. Thirteen-year-old Twig always knew he was different. When his wood troll mother tells him he isn't a wood troll and that she found him as a baby, Twig begins to wonder about who he really is and where he came from. He visits a wood troll family member and runs into trouble almost immediately as he strays from the path. Twig has a number of strange encounters, especially a dangerous and terrifying one with a tree. The Deepwoods is populated with all manner of weird and quirky characters, not the least of which are trees and rocks that float when heated, sky pirates, and the most horrible creature of all–the gloamglozer. Fantasy lovers will enjoy this brisk, somewhat predictable tale with a twist of the unusual.–Charli Osborne, Oxford Public Library, Oxford, MI

The Fish in Room 11 (unabr.). 2 cassettes. 2:13 hrs. Prod. by Chivers Children's Audio Books. Dist. by BBC Audiobooks America. 2005. ISBN 1-4056-5056-7. $18.95.

Gr 3-5–Toby's life is filled with chores around the hotel that he has called home ever since he was left on its doorstep as a baby. He doesn't have many friends his own age, so he spends most of his time with the hotel's housekeeper. On a windy afternoon, Toby is walking alone along the beach when a strange cracking sound catches his attention. Thus begins his adventure with the Flot family, mermaids who live under the pier. The story ensues as Toby tries to protect the Flots from being discovered. Discovery of another sort will answer many of Toby's questions about his origins.Alison Reid's delightful British accent gives Heather Dyer's first novel for children the lilt of a lovely melody as she takes us oceanside to meet these characters. She gives each character a perfect voice. Dyer has created the characters, but Reid has created the memory.–Joyce Rice, Palm Beach County Schools, Lake Worth, FL

The Jack Prelutsky Holiday Audio Collection (unabr.). 1 CD. 1 hr. HarperChildren's Audio. 2005. ISBN 0-06-082065-9. $13.95.

K-Gr 5–Jack Prelutsky's series of four holiday-themed beginning readers–It's Halloween (Greenwillow, 1977), It's Thanksgiving (Greenwillow, 1982), It's Christmas (Greenwillow, 1981), and It's Valentine's Day (Greenwillow, 1981)–are given new life in this presentation. The four titles are now available in paperback, reprinted by HarperTrophy. Light guitar music between books sets the tone for each collection of poetry. Prelutsky quietly reads the 54 poems in a rich, deep voice that enhances the text. He exhibits a range of emotions, from fearful in "Countdown" to skipping along in "Skeleton Parade" to mournful in "I Went Hungry on Thanksgiving" to excited during "A Sled for Christmas" to horrified in "Oh No!"What a treat to hear this poet giving life to his poems.An excellent addition to collections of recorded poetry for libraries of all sizes.–Stephanie Bange, Wilmington-Stroop Branch, Dayton Metro Library, OH

Riddle of the Prairie Bride (American Girl History Mysteries Series). (unabr.). 3 cassettes or 4 CDs. 4:30 hrs. Recorded Books. 2005. cassette, ISBN 1-4193-3543-X: $31.75; CD, ISBN 1-4193-3832-3: $39.95; read-along pack: $46.95.

Gr 3-6–Katheryn Reiss's historical mystery (American Girl, 2001) is set in Kansas in 1878. The story begins with the arrival of a mail-order bride to the Deming household. Twelve-year-old Ida Kate Deming begins to find discrepancies in the background of the bride to be, who is supposed to be Caroline Fairchild. Ida Kate's best friend, Martha, soon becomes involved in solving the mystery. The girls uncover their guest's real identity after searching her belongings and when she is confronted, the truth is revealed. Narrator Stina Nielson changes her voice very slightly to differentiate between the characters–Martha's voice is a bit whiny, Caroline's voice has a faint hint of southern drawl, and the father's is a bit more gruff. These slight intonations are barely detectable, and add little to the characterizations. Though light on historical information, the development of the mysterious plot will hold the interest of fans of the series. Little House on the Prairie (Harper Children's Audio, 2003) provides a more in-depth depiction of life during the pioneer period.–Cynthia Grabke, Thayer Public Library, Braintree, MA

Shakespeare's Secret (unabr.). 4 cassettes or 5 CDs. 5:45 hrs. Recorded Books. 2005. cassette, ISBN 1-4193-5067-6: $37.75; CD, ISBN 1-4193-5582-1: $48.75; read-along pack: $72.70.

Gr 4-7–Elise Broach's debut mystery (Holt, 2005) is a gem. Hero has moved to Maryland with her mother, father, and beautiful older sister named Bernice. Hero's father is a professor of English literature and an expert on William Shakespeare. Hero, named after a character in Much Ado About Nothing, is a veteran of many moves and dreads starting sixth grade at a new school. While Bernice manages well in the new environment and quickly becomes popular, Hero doesn't quite fit in. She finds solace with kindly Mrs. Roth, an elderly neighbor, who informs her that Hero's new home may hold a mysterious million-dollar diamond. Hero grudgingly accepts the help offered by Danny, the police chief's son, and the three delve into Elizabethan history to locate the diamond. They are shocked to discover the jewel may have belonged to Anne Boleyn, but an even bigger revelation changes the trio's lives forever. Along the way, they question the true identity of William Shakespeare. Broach has created a nifty mystery for middle school readers. Her dialogue is realistic, and narrator Jennifer Ikeda gives each character a distinctive voice. An engrossing mystery that touches several historical elements.–Tricia Melgaard, Centennial Middle School, Broken Arrow, OK

Literature

B for Buster (unabr.). 6 cassettes. 8:30 hrs. Recorded Books. 2005. ISBN 1-4193-5474-4. $54.75; read-along pack: $77.70.

Gr 7 Up–Canadian author Iain Lawrence (Delacorte, 2004) explores the compelling contrast between the heroic excitement of war and its mind-numbing terror. Sixteen-year-old Kak leaves his remote hometown in western Canada to join England's Bomber Command in 1943. Full of glamorous visions gleaned from comic book heroes, Kak has lied about his age, fled from an abusive alcoholic father, and been trained as a radio operator. Although Kak improbably encounters a hometown boy just a few years older who urges him to tell the truth about his age and be sent home, Kak can't wait for his first mission. Kak discovers the horrible nature of flying night missions through bands of flak and finally acknowledges the significance of all the empty bunks at the base. Narrator Jeff Woodman makes good use of accent and pitch to differentiate between the characters. Nightmares and terror become Kak's constant companions, and are brought to life in the narration. Woodman brings authenticity to the moments of excitement and fear, even though his narration sometimes sounds too mature. This tale's message about war and its affect on those involved makes it comparable to Harry Mazer's The Last Mission (Laurel Leaf, pap. 1981) and Erik Haugaard's The Little Fishes (Houghton, 1967). A fine addition to audio collections for teens.–Jane P. Fenn, Corning-Painted Post West High School, NY

Burning Eddy (unabr.). 6 CDs. 5:45 hrs. Bolinda Audio. 2005. ISBN 1-74093-608-6. $48. 

Gr 9 Up–Daniel's interest in nature sets him apart from most of his high school classmates, and at home he is fearful of his angry father. When the 15-year-old starts gardening for Eddy, an elderly Dutch woman, her wisdom and good humor teach him self-confidence. The title of Australian author Scott Gardner's novel refers to the old woman's requested funeral arrangements. Though Dan is sometimes at odds with his older sister, extra fond of his younger brother, and helpful to his mother, the entire family feels a sense of freedom and finds new challenges when his father is imprisoned for a past crime. A girlfriend and an unexpected bond with one of his former tormentors help boost Dan's self esteem, so is able to face Eddy's death with courage and understanding. Narrator Stig Wemyss does an exceptional job of bringing to life characters of various ages including those whose English is accented. The sound quality is good and story breaks are punctuated by interesting music. Burning Eddy is a slow starter but it touches on important concerns such as child abuse, rape, and forgiveness.  Some strong language and unfamiliar Australian vocabulary may make this a second choice for school libraries.–Barbara Wysocki, Cora J. Belden Library, Rocky Hill, CT

Gingerbread (unabr.). 4 cassettes. 6 hrs. Recorded Books. 2005. ISBN 1-4193-5133-8. $37.75; read-along pack:  $53.99. 

Gr 9 Up–Long limbed like her dancer namesake, 16-year-old Cyd Charisse may be defiant, but she still carries her rag doll, Gingerbread (S & S, 2002), all the time. Though the saucy protagonist in Rachel Cohn's debut novel has been kicked out of boarding school and battles her mother about her new boyfriend, Shrimp, she really loves her younger siblings and knows that her stepdad is a good guy. Her beloved doll was a gift from her long-absent dad, a New York ad man with a family of his own. Cyd's new boyfriend is kind, but she can't shake the memories of her private school steady, Justin, who left her alone to deal with an abortion. Cyd's behavior is out of control, and she's sent to visit with her now-widowed dad in New York. During her three-week visit, she finds that her real dad is busy and remote, her older sister is challenging, and her older brother and his gay partner are warm and loving. When her California parents join her for a few days, Cyd comes to terms with old wounds. Narrator Carine Montbertrand convincingly conveys Cyd's mixed emotions and the novel's ironic humor. Listeners get a teen's eye view of some very adult problems adolescents face, and learn some important lessons about the value of family. With dialogue and issues familiar to secondary school students, this recording will be a hip, but thoughtful addition to high school and young adult audio collections.–Barbara Wysocki, Cora J. Belden Library, Rocky Hill, CT

Maximum Ride: The Angel Experiment (unabr.). 7 cassettes or 8 CDs. 9:45 hrs. Recorded Books. 2005. cassette, ISBN 1-4193-3629-0: $62.75; CD, ISBN 1-4193-3844-7: $69.75; read-along pack: $93.74.

Gr 7 Up–Non-stop thrills keep listeners on the edge of their seats as they enter the world of 14-year-old Maximum Ride and her "sibling" clan of genetically-enhanced children. In best-selling adult author James Patterson's fantasy (Little, 2005), the six children were experiments created in a lab called the School, but they've been living on their own since a scientist helped them escape. Now they're being tracked down by wolf-human predators who have been programmed to destroy the kids at all costs. The danger never lets up for a second as the kids are kidnapped, hunted, and must flee across the continent to escape. Fortunately for them, they have the power to fly with the help of wings that were grafted onto their bodies. Some scenes take a long time to develop and others seem like offshoots of the main plot, but narrators Nancy Ku and Ed Sala create a myriad of voices for the cast of characters. Short, fast-paced chapters keep this lengthy novel from becoming tiresome for listeners. Readers and listeners will eagerly await the sequel. A good choice for school and public libraries; Patterson's adult fans will probably want to borrow it as well.–Casey Rondini, Hartford Public Library, CT

The Mediator #2: Ninth Key (unabr). 5 cassettes or 6 CDs. 6 hrs. Recorded Books. 2005. cassette, ISBN 1-4193-4148-0: $52.75; CD, ISBN 1-4193-5602-X: $62.75; read-along pack: $78.99.

Gr 7-10–The second episode in Meg Cabot's series (Simon Pulse, 2001) featuring Susannah Simon, a 16-year-old who regularly mediates between the unrestful dead and the living family and friends with whom they want to be in touch, is read with just the right tongue-in-cheek verve by Johanna Parker. As a result of her widowed mother's remarriage, Suze has been recently ripped from her Brooklyn home and relocated to semi-trendy Carmel, California. She's dealing with three stepbrothers, for whom she has Disney dwarf nicknames, her high school principal (a fellow mediator), and the 19^th-century ghost (handsome male) who lives in her bedroom. With her hands already full, fate adds a dreamy-but-vacuous teenage boy, his possibly vampiric father, and a potential serial killer to her days and nights. Cabot (Princess Diaries) does her reliably glib job of keeping both the action and the banter moving swiftly, making it unimportant thatthe story is silly. Susannah is a real trouper–she even deals with a screaming ghost and a wild cat without losing her cool–and her pithy observations about both adults and teenagers, friends and the high school status game, will ring true with all listeners.–Francisca Goldsmith, Berkeley Public Library, CA

Moby-Dick (unabr.). 24 CDs. approx. 25 hrs. Naxos Audiobooks. 2005. ISBN 9-62634-358-3. $126.98.

Gr 6 Up–Herman Melville's classic about one man's obsession with the white whale is filled with philosophy, marine biology, history, adventure, and even humor. William Hootkins' voice is superb for the telling of this great sea story, maintaining the attention of listeners even through some of the less adventurous parts. His intonationsconvey Ishmael's and Captain Ahab's thoughts in a way that helps listeners understand them and their times. Ishmael becomes an actual person and the Captain's madness is real. The individual personalities of each crew member is apparent. Through Hootkins' telling, the history of whaling becomes intriguing. Students who would normally shy away from this classic will find this format enjoyable. Listeners will gain a new appreciation for and understanding of the novel and Melville's times.–Anita Lawson, Otsego High School, MI

Music

A Big Bowl of Musicroni. 1 CD. 40:24 min. Cool Beans Music. 2005. $15.99.

Gr 1-5–Steve Pullara celebrates his Italian heritage and the memory of his Sicilian grandfather in this delicious concoction of 13 songs on this award-winning album (NAPPA Honors for 2005). He gives a flawless performance on many of the background instruments, including guitar, mandolin, flute, jaw harp, banjo, harmonica, and tambourine. Jazz, swing, rock, zydeco, and ballads are blended with Italian-style musical motifs. Pullara uses a lot of Italian words and expressions in his songs, which are defined in the liner notes. In fact, in "Say It Right," his father admonishes him to pronounce the Italian words correctly. Other songs include "Lot'sa Cousins," "Five More Minootsa," "Arrivederci Nonna," "Pasta, Pasta, Pasta" "Hop Along Che Si Dice" (a Spaghetti Western), "Que Sera Sera," "Bada Bing, Buon Natale," and others. This is an album that the whole family can enjoy listening to together.–Beverly Bixler, San Antonio Public Library, TX

Dances and Action Songs. 1 CD. 43:37 min. with tchr's. guide. Narroway Prods. 2005. $19.95.

K-Gr 3–Canadians Shari and Jerry Tallon, producers of numerous CDs and DVDs for children and teachers, present another winning resource of 24 songs and instrumentals for teachers and others who work with children. For many of these pieces, the Tallons have traveled to the distant past to re-create early rock 'n roll hits. The rest of the songs are original compositions by the Tallons, or their own arrangements of traditional songs. The duo play all the instruments and perform the vocals with style and enthusiasm. The accompanying booklet contains lyrics and detailed instructions to use with the songs, divided into: "Easy-to-Follow Dance Songs," "Dances with Partners," "Cooperative Dance Songs," and "Extra Resources." The tracks include "Some Fun," "Follow the Leader," "Dance of the Woodlands," "Musical March," "Merry-Go-Round Song," "Simon Says" by the 1910 Fruit Gum Company, "Chicken Dance" by Terry Rendall, "Hippy Hippy Shake" by Chan Romero, "Holiday Hokey Pokey" arranged by the Tallons, "The Locomotion" by Carol King, "Do the Freddie" by Freddie & the Dreamers, "Hands Up" by Playa Blanca, "The Peppermint Twist" by Joey Dee, "Hokey Pokey Karioke" (which has no lyrics so listeners can make up their own), among others. Teachers, librarians, and parents looking for dance resources will find this a useful package.–Beverly Bixler, San Antonio Public Library, TX

Dream the Ocean Blue: Musical Images for Bedtime. 1 CD. 57:51 min. E-Horse Music. 2005. $17.95 (+$1.50 s/h).

PreS-Gr 2–Composer and classical pianist Jennifer Yeung presents 19 original melodies on this lyrical album. The mostly instrumental tracks are perfect for calming children, and the ethereal melodies blend together to form a soothing soundscape for any time of day. Yeung's airy vocals on "Sunshine Hair" and "You and Me" prove that she is multi-talented, and children and adults alike will find this a relaxing listen.–Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll County Public Library, MD

Kimmy Schwimmy, Vol. 1. 1 CD. 48:07 min. Prod. by North Corner Music Group. Dist. by CDBaby.com. 2005. $15.

PreS-K–Kim Duncan's debut album is a bouncy, lively collection of20 original songs, mostly in a contemporary pop or pop/folk style, intended to enhance imagination, increase attention span, and enhance language development. Kim has a lovely voice and, with the assistance of a few musicians, including her husband, she sings with verve and enthusiasm. She's alsovery adept at creating character voices in some of the songs. Her Web site (kimmyschwimmy.com) includes a 58-page PDF file of all the lyrics, with movement ideas and other suggestions for using each song. Among the tunes are: "Oowee Goowee, Chicken Pie," "Percussive Vowels," "Billy Goat Walk," "Mr. Owl," "I Wish I Could Fly," "Wishy the Fishy/The Shark Song," and "Mr. Robot." There are also tunes to enhance self esteem, and songs about colors, growing up, dinosaurs, and jungle animals. This child-friendly album will be welcomed by preschool teachers, daycare staff, and librarians.–Beverly Bixler, San Antonio Public Library, TX

Makes Me Feel Like Singing. 1 CD. 34:41 min. Prod. by Maggie Music. Dist. by Red Engine Press. 2005. ISBN 0-9663276-6-7. $16.95.

PreS-Gr 4–Singer/songwriter Darrell House follows up his previous album, Underneath the Cushions on the Couch, with this clever, catchy, upbeat collection of 12 tunes. Ranging from the inspiring ("The Future Is Me") to the downright silly ("The Rhyming Song," "Skootelyottelydoodelywoo"), the songs crackle with House's infectious energy. Kids and adults will giggle at the goofy "Pic-a-nic" full of foods such as "chick-a-lic," "steak-a-lake," and "broc-a-loc," and will nod knowingly at the affectionate "That's What Grandmas Do." Substance underlies many of the songs, as in the empowering message of "When the Time Is Right" ("We learn because we practice/we succeed because we try"), and the librarian-pleasing "Hats Off to Reading." House, with his smoky voice and energetic delivery, shares each song with the joy of a favorite uncle playing his guitar on the back porch.–Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll County Public Library, MD

Music Time! (rev. ed.). 1 CD. 39:13 min. with lyrics. Wiggle Worm Records. 2005. $15.

PreS-Gr 3–New Orleans native Johnette Downing serves up a gumbo of fun in this recording of music perfect for preschool and primary grade boys and girls. Originally released as an audiocassette in 1992, Downing has rerecorded the 12 original tracks and added three songs to produce a fresh product. Piano, guitar, and simple melodies with harmony are the roux of this recording. For seasoning, Downing throws in "Rhythm Band" (a Caribbean-flavored tune), "Shaky Tooth" (a piano rag accompanied by a muted trumpet), and the title cut, "Music Time!" (a honky-tonk boogie whose piano accompaniment is sure to get little ones up and wiggling). The meat of the recording celebrates rituals of daily life–"Getting Dressed," "Riding My Bike," "Tennis Shoe," and "Wonderful Friends"–as well as instructional opportunities such as counting bears in "Honey Jar" and telling time in "Tick Tock Rock." A variety of musical styles, tempos, and rhythms are the gumbo's file, keeping listeners engaged. With eminently singable tunes, Downing delivers a winning collection for libraries of all sizes.–Stephanie Bange, Wilmington-Stroop Branch, Dayton Metro Library, OH

Oh, the Animals. 1 CD. 55 min. Prod. by Trapdoor Media. Dist. by AV Café. 2004. $14.99.

PreS-Gr 3–David Williams has rerecorded in digital format many of the songs on his 1990 cassette recording of the same title. Four songs from the original recording ("Raccoon," "Snapping Turtle." "Manatee," and "Whale") have been deleted, and 12 others have been added, including an updated title cut. Most tunes celebrate or describe the animal named in the title, such as: "Chickens" (a plucky bluegrass number), "Little Pink Pig" (toe-tapping country swing), "Kangaroo" (heart-wrenching blues), "Pelican" (hoe-down bluegrass), "Peach Faced Love Bird" (a 1940s dance tune), and "The Bears" (a whirling waltz tempo). One notable addition is "Dog Song," a sing-respond tune with clever lyrics. Williams sings this song solo; it would have been stronger if children's voices singing responses had been included. Williams maintains his signature musical style throughout–laid-back country, light jazz, and blues. He usually accompanies himself on guitar, but adds fiddle, banjo, mandolin, bass, and percussion for variety. Full of child-appeal, many songs will be useful during animal-themed preschool story times.–Stephanie Bange, Wilmington-Stroop Branch, Dayton Metro Library, OH

Purple Burt. 1 CD. approx. 46 min. with lyrics. Prod. by Purple Burt. Dist. by CDBaby.com. 2005. $11.95.

PreS-Gr 3–Purple Burt is both purple and invisible–the latter is the result of his fervent wish not to stick out so much, made while jumping on his magical hope rope.Composer Mitch Friedman sings 15 songs and tells brief tales about Purple Burt's bizarre world (including his brother Herbert, who lives in a tin of herbal sherbet, and his father, who disappeared completely when Burt's wish came true). Unfortunately, the conceit does little to hold together the jumble of bizarre songs. Among the tunes are "Invisibility," "I Miss My Daddy," "Color Feel," "Try This on for Size," "Flavor Day," and more. The only real standout is the doo-wop inspired "I Wonder Where," which poses the silly conundrum, "I wonder where my underwear is…."–Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll County Public Library, MD

Rainforest & Tropical Animals. 1 CD. 45 min. Prod. by Trapdoor Media. Dist. by AV Café. 2004. $14.99.

K-Gr 5–Evoking Randy Newman with his bluesy voice, singer/songwriter David Williams presents 18 songs that teach and entertain. Each tune features a rainforest or tropical animal or insect, from the toucan to the electric eel to the katydid, and incorporates information about the animal's diet, appearance, and habitat. The music, full of fiddles, harmonicas, guitars, and mandolins (and in the case of "Akiapolaau," an appropriately Hawaiian ukulele), matches the animal: a sleepy, slow tune for "Toed Sloth," a Caribbean sound for "Iguana." Each song features the animal singing in the first person, and kid-pleasing lyrics abound. Teachers will find myriad ways to use this recording in the classroom; kids will have so much fun singing and dancing along they won't even realize how much they're learning.–Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Carroll County Public Library, MD

Scat Like That: A Musical Word Odyssey. 1 CD. 42 min. Rounder Records. 2005. ISBN 1-57940-128-7. $14.98.

PreS-Gr 3–Twice awarded a Grammy, Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer have put together another excellent album, this time featuring tongue twisters, limericks, yodeling, pig latin, rhythm, rhyme, melody, and wordplay in 14 fun songs, 10 of which were composed by Fink and/or Marxer. As usual, the duo makes use of numerous musical styles, including jazz, Latin, yodel, sea shanty, polka, blues, square dance, traditional round, folk, and the TV theme from the Jack Paar Show. Fink, Marxer, and several professional musicians give exceptional performances on trumpet, sax, trombone, piano, bass, drums, guitars, congas, accordion, fiddle, piccolo, clarinet, banjo, pennywhistle, harmonica, mandolin, and ukulele. A children's chorus, the University Park Elementary School Ensemble, joins in on several of the tunes. Among the songs are "Scat Like That," "Flip Flapjacks," "I Love Pie" (partly bilingual English/Spanish), "50 States" (to the tune of "Yankee Doodle"), "The Limerick Song," "A Pirate's Life," "Pig Latin Polka Dance," "Is Not, Is Too!," "IM4U," and more. A must for all children's music collections.–Beverly Bixler, San Antonio Public Library, TX

Wiggle and Whirl, Clap and Nap. 1 CD. 51:23 min. Prod. by Wee Bee Music. Dist. by CDBaby.com. 2005. $13.99 

PreS-Gr 1–Sue Schnitzer's latest release is a fun collection of short, popular, lesser-known, and original songs aimed primarily for the preschool set. Accompanied by a folk band, she sings such popular favorites as "Michael Finnigan," "Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree," "If All the Raindrops," "The Muffin Man," "Where Is Thumbkin," and more. Many of the tunes include a chorus of children, but make no mistake, this is more a sing-along than it is a performance. Simple, rhythmic melodies lend themselves to clapping and dancing, and the children freely interject sound effects that complement the lyrics. Audience participation is encouraged, and children will find this an enjoyable recording to listen to in groups or at home. Librarians who are not comfortable singing aloud during story time will appreciate the simple arrangements. A solid addition to general listening collections.–Kirsten Martindale, formerly Menomonie Public Library, WI

Social Studies

Prisoners of War: A Story of Four American Soldiers. 1 CD. 58:39 min. Vermont Folklife Center. 2005. $14.95. 

Gr 7 Up–Four World War II veterans who were captured by the Germans at the Battle of the Bulge speak about their experiences as prisoners of war. With voices vibrating with emotion, the men talk about sleeping in the snow, watching fellow POWs starved and shot to death, and the lifelong psychological aftermath of their wartime imprisonment. Their personal observations of hardships and small kindnesses are arranged chronologically from the battle, through their incarceration, to their repatriation and, finally, to their lives today. Drawn from a Vermont oral history project, the men's recorded statements are a powerful testimony to the realities of war. Easily cued for students to hear one or two passages, this is a valuable supplement to World War II history lessons and could also be an effective prompt for writing exercises. The four participants are only identified at the end of the recording. In addition to its value for high school libraries, this recording will be of interest to anyone who lived during the Second World War, or those who study that period.–Barbara Wysocki, Cora J. Belden Library, Rocky Hill, CT