If I Were an Otter: Songs for Kids of All Ages

PreS-Gr 4—Oregon-based folk singer DiMicele doesn't disappoint on her first recording for children. Opening with her original "If I Were an Otter," she moves on to Jesse Fuller's "The Monkey and the Engineer" (a story-song about a locomotive hijacking). Other highlights include her most requested song, "Wise Old Woman" (advice received from a world-wise soul); the duet "City Mouse/Country Mouse" (based on the folktale about envy); Bob Marley's "Three Little Birds" (which is about letting worries go); David Mallet's "The Garden Song"; the classic Shaker song "Simple Gifts"; and the traditional tunes "This Little Light of Mine" and "Honey Bee Blues." With a voice that is full like Bonnie Raitt's, DiMicele arranges harmonies that are traditional-sounding and accompaniments that are largely acoustic in nature. Sure to appeal to children, parents, and grandparents.—Stephanie Bange, Wright State University, Dayton, OH