Big Bully

PreS-Gr 4—For their fourth themed anthology of music for kids, Recess Music tackles the topic of bullies. These 15 current songs, culled from the playlists of and performed by 15t children's music makers, are perfect to use when starting discussions about bullies. They promote self-esteem and polite actions, often offering positive and constructive choices to deal with the problem. Opening with The Uncle Brothers' "Bully Bubba" (an alliterative two-step about ignoring bullies), the music flows into Minnie O'Leary's "Most Valuable Player" performed by Nancy Tucker (a folksy tale about the rewards of playing hard, but fair), then charges into The Hipwaders' "Time In Time Out" (putting a positive spin on the consequences for misbehavior), rocks into Milkshake's "Enemies" (about how even best friends can be enemies at times), and closes with Renee & Jeremy's mellow "Wishing Well" (sending wishes of peace, love, and good will). Among the other performers in the lineup are Lyle Cogan ("No Put Downs"), Susan Salidor ("I'm Sorry"), Lou Del Bianco ("Bad Day Today"), Glenn Colton ("Don't Bully Me"), and others. The wide range of musical styles adds interest, making this a first choice for parents and educators to use when dealing with the issue of bullies and bullying.—Stephanie Bange, Wright State University, Dayton, OH