We’ve got the beat!
September 6th, 2007
I’d like to say I let my kids listen to their music while we’re all in the car, that I’m happy to crank up the volume when any Disney CD is playing, but I can’t. Besides a few favorite Raffi songs most children’s music drives me nuts. I grew up listening to Boston and Neil Diamond so I figure 80’s and 90’s alternative is just fine for my kids. Well, believe it or not I’ve found some children’s music that not only the kids will love but parents like me will enjoy listening to as well.
Putumayo Kids offers a line of very entertaining CDs that are as easy on the ears as they are educational. Educational? Yep. Putumayo Kids is introducing your children to world cultures through fun, upbeat, get-on-your-feet-and-dance music. We were lucky enough to receive an advance copy of the new Brazilian Playground CD, and I have to admit I might have enjoyed it even more than my kids! Described as “a lively musical journey that will transport children from the rain forests of the Amazon to the beaches of Rio de Janeiro,” this CD had us moving and shaking to songs full of Brazilian culture.
What I really enjoyed were the detailed descriptions of the songs’ backgrounds and stories included in the CDs jacket. Since all the songs are sung in Portuguese, these descriptions helped us understand more about the music we were enjoying. We learned about the pandiero (a hand drum with little cymbals on the side), the Boi Bumba festival, and bossa nova (a popular style of music).
After testing out (i.e. “dancing to”) Putumayo Kids’ Brazilian Playground I’m anxious to add a few more CDs to our collection. But how do you decide when you’ve got such options as Asian Dreamland and Playgrounds that include French, Reggae, Folk, New Orleans, Caribbean, Animal, African, Latin, and World? I guarantee no matter which one(s) you choose you’ll be just as likely to turn up the volume and dance as your kids!—Emily
December 4th, 2007 at 11:10 pm
[...] in September I reviewed Putumayo Kids’ Brazilian Playground CD. The CD, described as “a lively musical journey that will transport children from the rain [...]
February 18th, 2008 at 9:58 pm
[...] year I was able to review Putumayo Kids’ Brazilian Playground CD and Celtic Dreamland CD, both of which have been huge hits in our home. Brazilian Playground had us [...]
January 26th, 2009 at 9:33 pm
[...] CD, especially if it encourages family-room dance parties. Whether it’s Putumayo Kids’ Brazilian Playground or ABBA’s ABBA Gold, if it makes us move and groove without getting on Mom’s nerves [...]