Shoofly is an audiomagazine for children between the ages of 3 and 7, developed by a small independent publisher “dedicated to offering families of young children quality entertainment.” An annual subscription to Shoofly includes 4 issues and a bonus music CD (or MP3 download). Typically, each issue has 4 stories and 4 songs, all are mixed very artfully with poetry and musical elements — the CD’s usually run around 45-60 minutes.

The collection of stories in each issue is an all-embracing mix of original and traditional tales. Some of the traditional tales you could expect are The Tortoise and the Hare, Stone Soup, and Jack and the Beanstalk. The narrations are clear, vibrant, and lively; they certainly hold the attention of little listeners. You can listen to a sample here.

A list of awards and achievements:

• iParenting Media Award
• Seal of Excellence Creative Child Magazine Award
• Parents’ Choice Silver Honor
• National Parenting Publications Award
• Parent’s Guide Award
• EdPress Distinguished Achievement Award

Shoofly can be purchased individually or as a yearly subscription (available on CD or MP3 – 4 Shoofly issues  + 1 bonus music CD or MP3): http://shooflyaudio.com/

_{TCBR’s source of CD: Shoofly Audio}

©2010 The Childrens Book Review. All Rights Reserved.

Bedtime Sing to Me: With CD!

by Diane Ohanesian (Author),

Nadine Bernard Westcott (Illustrations), Mary Ann Schaub (Vocals)

Reading level: Baby-Preschool

Board book: 11 pages

Publisher: Cartwheel Books; Brdbk/Com edition (January 1, 2009)

What to expect: Sing-a-long, Bedtime, Nursery Rhymes

A wonderful collection of new nursery rhymes written to a nice combination of original tunes and classic favorites. Songs like Twinkle, Twinkle, Count with Me (to the tune of “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star”) and Who Is Sleeping? (to the tune of “Frere Jacques”) catch the attention of preschoolers easily. Others, like Blanket Friends (An original calypso song), are imaginative and fresh –  a couple of the songs are remindful of Laurie Berkner’s sound. The illustrations match well with the words, allowing for emerging readers to connect with the rhymes when listening. This book has been a huge hit at our house and in the car. Thumbs-up!

Add this book to your collection: Bedtime Sing to Me: With CD!

©2010 The Childrens Book Review. All Rights Reserved.

My Name is Chicken Joe

by Trout Fishing in America, Stephanie Jorisch (illustrator)

Reading level: Ages 4-8

Hardcover: 36 pages

Publisher: Secret Mountain; Har/Com edition (April 25, 2009)

What to expect: Animals, Music

My Name is Chicken Joe is not only a fun and nicely illustrated book, it’s a kids music CD with 11 audio recordings that parents will be happy to play over-and-over again. Trout Fishing in America has been nominated for three Grammy Awards, along with many other awards like Parents Choice Gold and American Library Awards — it will only take listening to one of their songs to understand why. The duo that make up the band are Ezra Idlet and Keith Grimwood, their sound is lighthearted folk. NPR said — “Grimwood and Idlet are the Lennon and McCartney of kids’ music.” I agree, but they could also be tagged as the Dave Matthews Band of kids’ music.

The book covers the story of the first track on the CD, which makes for a fun read-a-long. Chicken Joe is not a chicken as you may believe from the title. He is in fact a cat. The message of this lively tale (and the chorus of the song):

©2010 The Childrens Book Review. All Rights Reserved.