2 comments about A Child's Celebration of Classical Music.

1. This is definitely not what I expected in a classical music tape, but still a surprisingly enjoyable to listen to. I bought it for my 4 year old who loves to listen to what he calls "kid's songs" and hoped that it wouldn't totally annoy my older children. This one is a winner, though, ALL the kids (ages 2 to 11) really like it. Bobby McFerrin's Music Box is really quite amazing and you appreciate his talent the more you listen to it (although I would never have guessed this was classical music.) The water music rendition is equally fun. My only complaint is that Gerald McBoing is waaaay too long, but still it fascinated the kids so I guess it's worth it! The variety of music contained on the tape keeps it fresh.



2. Kids will eat this up! The selection of readers and singers are brilliant. Not only will the stories entertain children but they will learn from a young age that classical dosn't mean boring! Danny Kaye is one of my favorite people. His voice has always captured me somehow. I have seen my siblings listen in amazement to Boby McFerrin's amazing "voice". His portrayel of a music box is highly impressive. The way this CD combines the old with the new, the humorous with the soothing, and the music with the story telling, leaves me feeling up-lifted and calm. A complete must-have for children and adults alike!

5 comments about Papa's Dream.

1. this is a great story. I grew up hearing about Lolo since he was a friend of my mom'm many years ago.



2. A wonderful imaginary and silly story of a Mexican-American family traveling to Mexico in a flying balloon to celebrate Papa Lalo's birthday. The versions of "La Bamba", 'Wooly Bully", and "Cielito Lindo" are great on this CD and the narration between songs adds a lot to this CD. A little bit of Spanish is a plus to follow the narration. You should listen to this CD from the beginning to the end, do not try to shuffle this CD, otherwise, you would miss the main theme of the album.
   
   We have been playing this CD for the last six years and we still enjoy it.



3. Asa long time fan of Los Lobos I had to buy this CD and what a wonderful surprise this little gem was. I highly recommend it to Los Lobos fans and lovers of Latin music. It's a fun, light collection of songs.



4. It was nice to find this collection of music that isn't just "baby songs". We can put this in on a drive and not regret getting the songs stuck in our heads all day. They are shortened versions of classic Los Lobos songs and the story is cute and helps little ones learn some Spanish words and phrases. Highly recommended!



5. Los Lobos teams up with Lalo Guerrero to take children on an extraordinary adventure and musical tour. I don't know who has enjoyed this CD more -- my children or their parents! We've been trying to learn Spanish as a family, and this has been a wonderful, fun supplement to our language lessons. Some of the songs are in English, but many are in Spanish, and all the lyrics are helpfully printed in the liner notes.

5 comments about I Love My Toys.

1. The songs are catchy with lyrics children can quickly grasp and a sense of humor that will entertain parents, as well. A must-have for your kids!



2. Not having kids, I find most kids music annoying and I have very little patience. But putting in the CD I Love My Toys was actually NOT annoying as a grown up. I sent one right off to my 6 year old neice and told her to stop listening to that stupid dinosaur!



3. It's refreshing to hear a children's CD with such great songwriting. All the songs are catchy and I can't get a couple out of my head. I believe parents will enjoy the CD as much as their children, they'll be playing it a hundred times a day! Jesse Smith has created a FUN and ENTERTAINING children's CD with great lessons, and positive values.



4. A vampire singing about not being afraid of the dark, a reggae song about chocolate milk, an ode to a giant cardboard box, this is the great stuff of life, kids or not. The arrangements are catchy and adventurous,the lyrics are superbly witty & upbeat. The subtle "messages" are kid positive and tickle the child, still somewhere, in all of us.



5. I recieved this CD as a gift, and when I played it for my nieces and nephew, (ages 9,10 & 11) they were glued to the cd player listening to
   every word like old time radio. My nephew perked up when he heard IF I HAD A ROBOT, and the girls later wanted to her the very loud WILD
   TOYS...repeatedly again & again. I found myself humming the title song; I LOVE MY TOYS while cleaning the tub later in the day. Smith's use of sound effects with
   his music, turns this CD into a delight for the ears. Perfect for a long drive with the kids in the car, the CD is actually very long, you get your
   money's worth. Oh, and the NOT AFRAID OF THE DARK was very topical for the 2 girls, I think it eased their fears a bit about the basement
   guest room. If you have kids, get this CD! It is an evergreen, my kids always want to hear it again and again... it's not abrasive.

5 comments about A Child's Celebration of Christmas.

1. I first bought this CD 6 years ago for my daughter, it is a wonderful break from the regular Holiday music. Abollto is sweet and brings back past family Christmas. The Takeover Before Christmas will remind you that Christmas is for the kids not the companies. This year the CD was broken and I am buying a replacement for my daughter and myself. A great CD for families with kids or anyone else.



2. The Singing Dogs version of Jingle Bells was kind of cute although it did sound cutesy. Someone helped my whole dorm at my old school act it out.



3. My family received this as a gift and found it very disappointing. First, the good: There are a couple of wonderful selections here, including Gene Autry's Rudolph and the absolutely beautiful Arbolito. I'm Gettin' Nuttin' for Christmas is also good. (That's why I gave it the two stars.)However, many of the selections seems very un-Christmas-like, PARTICULARLY The Takeover Before Christmas, which appears in the middle of the cd. This is a totally inappropriate and out-of-place selection that ruins the flow of the entire cd, in my opinion. Also, Spike Jones' All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth is WAY annoying - sounds like Mr. Hanky of South Park fame is singing it.



4. I bought this for my 5-year-old daughter, who hated it. I don't really see how the content will appeal to a child--it is tongue-in-cheek, not the simple celebration of Christmas that the title promises. Why they included "The Takeover before Christmas"--unemployment, divorce, corporate takeover--is beyond me. There are *much* better offerings in MFLP's line (for instance, Children's Favorites) than this one, at least for small kids.



5. I was very dissapointed with this CD. We thought it would be lot's of fun, something different. We put it on while trimming the Christmas tree - by the time we got to the singing dogs we had had enough. However, if you are looking for something non-traditional - this may be for you.