Big Block Singsong: Volume One

PreS-Gr 2—If you have ever wanted short, clever, singable ditties for children, this fits the bill. Warren Brown and Adam Goddard create oddly charming blockhead cartoon characters with stick legs singing simple tunes in harmony about everyday themes: sleep, hair, and teeth, among many other topics. Each song lasts only about two minutes, featuring a unique musical styling to go with the catchy rhymes. Made for the short-attention-span set, the toe-tapping, clapping music will bemuse adults and enthrall students. The best among the 24 snicker-inducing selections are "Colourful Day," with a Parisian accordion sound; "Good," with whistling and bluesy backup singers; a rockabilly guitar "Robot"; and a big production number about "Fruit." Animated with tongue-in-cheek humor, this DVD will get kids dancing out of their seats and singing to a techno beat. French language subtitles are available, and the rhymes are just as funny en français. Useful to English language learners and teachers as a musical break and for its end-of-the-day "Goodbye Song," this versatile DVD is a terrific buy.