Review: Kids' Stuff

Artist: King's Singers and Judi Dench

Primarily A Capella; 1987; 14 tracks

CD; Children's Music

Ages: Birth-Adult

A world-renowned a capella vocal group teams up with the incomparable Dame Judi Dench on this delightful compilation of traditional songs, stories, and nursery rhymes.

My Thoughts:
This album is amazing. Not only is it rife with British accents and witticisms (I am an Anglophile), but it is full of the unexpected. The King's Singers are known for their vocal acrobatics and sound effects. They bring these into full swing on this CD. For example, on "Old King Cole" they imitate an orchestra warming up before a performance. Dench is also in rare form. She begins by introducing herself, ("Hello, my name is Judi. What's yours?) and with that invites children to wander through imaginary lands with her. Her recitation of poems and stories are enchanting, and blend perfectly into and out of the music that the King's Singers offer. Rather than distinctive tracks, the whole album melds together into a fun journey.

I truly appreciated the fact that the songs were, for the most part, truly children's songs. They are traditional standards. Yet, the sophistication that the King's Singers and Dench bring to them makes for an album that adults would enjoy listening to even without the kids along. Unlike a lot of children's albums offered by adult singers, this CD does not feel forced. It caters to the kids without losing any of the group's adult appeal. (I especially love the version of Yellow Submarine. It is not something one would look for on a children's album, and yet it is so appropriate!)

Thoughts of Others:
I was unable to find any critical reviews of this album. Since it was originally released in the 80's, that was when it would have been reviewed. However, several websites had user reviews. One of which I really agreed with. He said:
" I enjoy the album because here is a chance for children to hear music that is attractive to them being sung by the group many consider to be the finest vocal ensemble in the world." Doug Anderson

FYI Track Listing (My Top 5 in Bold):

1. Teddy Bears' Picnic - The King's Singers, Kennedy, Jimmy

2. Humpty Dumpty/Old King Cole/The Grand Old Duke of York/Intro: ...

3. This Old Man

4. Over the Hills and Far Away/Intro: Wind on the Hill

5. King John's Christmas/Intro: The Snowman - The King's Singers, Milne

6. The Riddle Song/Intro: Cottleston Pie

7. Walking in the Air - The King's Singers, Blake, Howard

8. Yellow Submarine/Intro: Baby Sardine - The King's Singers, Lennon, John

9. The Owl and the Pussycat/Intro: The Island - The King's Singers, Lear, Edward

10. Here We Go Down the Line/Into: The Land of the Bunbley Boo

11. Lavender's Blue/Intro: There Once Was a King

12. Wendell the Worm/Intro: At the Zoo/Little Worm - The King's Singers, Parker

13. I Know an Old Woman - The King's Singers, Bonne

14. Frog Went A-Courtin'/We All Stand Together/Intro: The Frog

Review: Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus

By: Barbara Park

Random House; 1992; 69 pages

Juvenile Fiction; Series

Grades: Kindergarten - 3rd grade

ISBN: 9-78-0679-92642-9

Junie B. Jones is excited to start kindergarten and to meet new people, but she is NOT excited about riding the school bus. In fact, at the end of the school day, she decides not to ride it home again!

My Thoughts:
I thought that this book was perfect for kids who are ready to transition from easy readers to regular juvenile fiction. I had heard from some friends that they didn't care for these books because of the poor grammar. I felt, however, that the text was suited to the narrator. When read aloud, it sounds like a 5 year old is actually talking. (I especially liked how she described her classmates when she didn't know their names: that boy I can beat up, etc.) The plot moved along quickly to hold interest. The chapters were brief to give a sense of accomplishment. Most importantly, the book felt real. Junie B. is not the nicest little girl, but that makes her seem more true to life, and easier for kids to relate to. I believe that kids will be able to identify with Junie B. even if they are already out of kindergarten.

The other thing that I loved about this book, was that it allowed me to connect with my six year old cousin who is in kindergarten. She loves these books, and loves to read them with my aunt. The repetitive nature of the series has enabled her to recite parts of each book, because the introductions are always the same. This empowers her and makes her feel like she is actually reading. (She also was very thrilled that I had to read it for homework in college...it made her feel very grown up to be reading the same books as college students!)

The Thoughts of Others:
School Library Journal's review in 1992 raved about Park's humor. They felt like this book was a great addition to a library because Junie B.'s ignorance will let "even the most insecure readers... feel superior because they know so much more than she does."

Publisher's Weekly also reviewed the book in 1992. They picked up on the realism of Junie B.'s narration, but also pointed out the book "is peppered with reader-involving questions." This would allow teachers and parents to pause and allow their students/child to interact and engage with the text.

Review: Kidults

Artist: Mandy Patinkin

Nonesuch; 2001; 16 Tracks

CD; Children's Music

Ages: 2 to Adult

ISBN: 0-755-9795-3428

A collection of music that blends traditional children's songs with more adult offerings.

My Thoughts:

I was a little puzzled at first when I saw that Mandy Patinkin had a children's music album out. I was only familiar with him from television and The Princess Bride. When I listened to it, I was pleasantly surprised. His versions of several traditional kid's songs were innovative and delightful. I appreciated the fact that, as an actor, on some of the songs he did character voices and sang multiple parts (i.e. Singing in the Bathtub, A-Tisket A-Tasket). Also, as a fan of Kristen Chenoweth, I enjoyed the duets that he included.

There were a few tracks that I thought were more than a little odd. I suppose he included the Japanese Sandman/Cat in the Cradle medley as part of the -ults portion of the album. However, I find that Japanese Sandman is no longer p.c., and Cat in the Cradle is a depressingly weird choice for a children's album. Another strange medley, but one which really worked, was the Time in a Bottle/School Days/Inch worm combo. The nostalgia might be hard for kids to relate to, but it was a thouroughly charming arrangement. Overall, though admittedly strange, this is an album that both kids and adults will enjoy. Parents and caretakers won't get the kid song headache.

The Thoughts of Others:

Entertainment Weekly's Melissa Rose Barnado reviewed the album in 2008. While she gave a generally positive review, she did describe Patinkin as "over-the-top," and warned that not everyone would enjoy his "histrionics."

Amazon.com's review of the album commented on its attempt to blend two generations of listeners. They don't seem to be sure as to the success of the hybridization. They sum it up as "either an especially lively grownups' record or a sophisticated and glamorous-sounding kids' disc."

FYI Track Listing (my top 5 are in bold):

1. If I Only Had a Brain

2. Holiday for Strings

3. Minute Waltz

4. Singin' in the Bathtub

5. The Ugly Duckling

6. Soon It's Gonna Rain (with Kristin Chenoweth)

7. School Days Melody (with Kristin Chenoweth)

8. A-Tisket, A-Tasket

9. The Japanese Sandman / Cat's in the Cradle

10. Not While I'm Around

11. Rhode Island Is Famous for You

12. April in Fairbanks

13. How Could You Believe Me?

14. Everybody Says Don't / The King's New Clothes

15. New Words

16. "A" You're Adorable / Getting to Know You

Review: Howl's Moving Castle

Directed by: Hayao Miyazaki

Walt Disney Video; 2006 (English Language Version)

2 disc Widescreen DVD; Animated Film

Ages: Kindergarten through Adult

This animated Japanese adaptation of Diana Wynne Jones' novel follows the adventures of a cursed girl and a wizard who has lost his heart as they struggle to break their separate curses and save their nation in the face of war.

My Thoughts:

To begin with, if I were reviewing this film on its merits as a film, I would give it a good review. It was a fine motion picture. Artistically, it was beautiful. Technically, the dubbing was flawless. The actors did an amazing job. I love Christian Bale, and I love Emily Mortimer. Casting them for the English Language version was genius. They truly invested their characters with honesty and feeling. The film was nominated for an academy award, and won countless other honors. This included the 2006 Family Film-Animated at the Young Artists Awards. Still, I am not here to do a film review for a film review's sake, but rather a review of the work in reference to children. And, sadly, as a kid's movie, "Howl's Moving Castle" left a lot to be desired...Young Artists Award notwithstanding.

I originally chose to review this film based on the recommendations of friends (who are in film school), family (who are film buffs), and Sarah (our esteemed course instructor who raved about Miyazaki). The problem was that, Sarah aside, the recommendations had not been made with kid friendliness in mind, but rather to me as an adult. (To be fair to Sarah, she recommended the studio, not the particular film.) I had not seen any Miyazaki, but had heard a lot of buzz surrounding "Kiki's Delivery Service," "Spirited Away," and "Howl's Moving Castle." This one happened to be the first available at my library, and the fact that two of my favorite actors were voices was a surprise bonus.

I was a little surprised, upon checking it out, to discover that it was rated PG. However, several fine animated films are PG, so I wasn't initially concerned. After watching it rating is most likely due to the prevalence of bombing and violence that comes with setting a film in the midst of war. This is also one of the things that makes the film inappropriate for smaller children, although it is nothing that upper elementary couldn't handle. (To clarify, I am not at all squeamish about exposing children to movies with guns and explosions...I grew up with Looney Tunes and superhero shows. Therefore, if the amount of bombing surpised me, you know there was a lot.) Also, the story line was fairly convoluted and would be hard for a younger child to follow. I am not sure whether this is a result of bad translation, poor adaptation, or the quality of the source material. Artistic touches, like how the main character phases from old to young depending on her mood, are never explained in the film and would be confusing to a child. They were confusing to me at first, and I am 25.

In short, this is a good movie. I liked this movie. I would recommend it to some of my friends and older cousins (high school/junior high) who like anime and Manga. I would not show this movie to a child under 10, not because there is anything truly bad about it, but because I don't think they would enjoy or understand it. Also, depending on how young they were, or their parents' views on guns and violence, I would actually recommend that some children NOT see it.

The Thoughts of Others:

Roger Ebert had a mixed reaction to this film. He admitted that it was good, but called it a disappointment in comparison to other Miyazaki works. While admiring the beauty of the animation, and the technical scope, he felt that the "underlying plot grows murky and [viewers will] grow impatient at spectacle without meaning." He does not address its suitablility for kids, but since he doesn't recommend the movie to anyone, it is a moot point.

The Rolling Stone review for praised the voice talents, and assured readers that the dubbing was top notch. They rhapsodized about Miyazaki's art work They summed the film up in one word...bliss. However, it should be noted, that children are not the primary readership of Rolling Stone, and therefore not the reviewer's main concern. The article does not address its suitability to the age group.

Little Bunny Foo foo

Today was the third Story Time at work. Whether due to a more convenient time slot, or the fact that buzz had been building from my previous performances, I had over twice as many attendees today. In fact, they had to relocate me from one of the signing rooms to the HUGE board room. It was also a more "high-ranking" audience...president, vice president...no pressure there!

The story I did was "Little Bunny Foo Foo,"' which was my own adaptation of a traditional camp/scout song. I expanded the verses to include reasons why Foo Foo bops the field mice, got rid of what I thought was a cheesy ending (Hare today, Goon tomorrow), and added my own ending. I have not yet written out a transcript for this story. I have told it before, and since I was very familiar with the storyline from the song,never took the time to write it down. I will do so soon though, and post it with the other transcripts.

I REALLY LIKE TELLING THIS STORY! And, I think and hope, people enjoy hearing it. I like that it can incorporate blatant moral lessons with twisted dark humor. Also, the repeated lines and hand motions can be used with younger audiences to bolster participation. My favorite thing about this particular video recording is that you can hear the audience reacting the way I want them to. It is reinforcing to me as a teller when they laugh or gasp in the right places.

(On an even more positive note...the president was so excited by the story that she demanded an encore and command performance of a second story...luckily, I still had my purple dry erase marker with me...I grabbed the white board from the sales room and did a rendition of Harold and the Purple Crayon. She even suggested that we do something like this once a week to break up the stress...I am all for that!)

Thank you to my supervisor, Kim, who filmed this one. She was so shocked at the end that she almost forgot to stop the camera!

Everyone Knows that Badgers Are British!

The morning before 561 met, I was sitting at my aunt's kitchen table when she realized that her youngest, a kindergartner, had not yet completed her reading log for school. We had less than an hour, and had to read somewhere in the vicinity of 10 books to her before her bus came. I was happy to oblige.

While my cousin ate her breakfast, I zoomed through Danny and the Dinosaur, Snow White's Friends, and Just in Case You Ever Wonder. Then I came to one of my favorite books of all time: Bedtime for Frances.

I opened it up and began to read, remembering all the times it had been read to me. After the first few pages or so I looked up because my aunt was laughing and giving me a strange look. My cousin was also looking at me strangely.

"What?" I asked.
"Why are you doing a British accent?" my aunt asked me.
"Was I? I hadn't even realized it."

All of the prior books I had read with my normal everyday voice, but for some reason when I started Bedtime for Frances, I had begun reading the story and doing all the voices with an accent. Apparently, at least in my mind, Frances is a British badger. I continued to read, maintaining the voice.

Perhaps, if I have time, I will tape myself reading the story...with the voice...and post it here.