Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that these 16 "mini-operetta" songs from the adorable Nick Jr. show are aimed at the preschool set. Linny the Guinea Pig, Turtle Tuck, and Ming-Ming Duckling visit Switzerland, Mexico, England, the South Pole, and Ancient Egypt, encouraging teamwork as they rescue other animals. There are plenty of positive messages throughout the CD (doing things on your own, change can be good, putting garbage in a trashcan, taking care of a tree by watering it and keeping it company by planting other things around it), and kids will love the happy tone of the songs. Parents should also know that the actress who plays Ming-Ming affects a slight speech impediment (substituting "w" for "r") that's a little grating and might be bothersome if their kid is dealing with speech issues.
Families can talk about the countries mentioned in the CD to learn more about them. What does the Sphinx look like? How cold does it get in the South Pole? What language do people speak in Mexico? Parents can also try singing to kids: "Go to bed!" or "Take a bath!" sound silly and funny when sung -- and kids might actually listen! This CD can be a starting point for introducing classical music to kids. They can listen to other music aimed at kids: Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf, for example.
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Jan Silbermann
WONDER PETS! encourages an exploration of many musical styles, builds vocabulary, and speaks to the imagination of preschoolers everywhere. Through their globe-trotting adventures saving the day, classroom pets Linny the Guinea Pig, Turtle Tuck, and Ming-Ming Duckling also stress mutual cooperation: "What's gonna work? Teamwork!" is their rallying cry.
Penned by some impressive talent -- Larry Hochman (Spamalot), Bobby Lopez (Avenue Q) and Robert Brown (Parade) -- each song is a "mini-operetta" complete with a live orchestra playing an original score. But, the sophisticated music on the show's soundtrack doesn't only offer an operatic style, but also brings us a catchy calypso song ("To Be Free"), a Gilbert and Sullivan-like offering ("Hug a Hedgy"), a Gershwin-style romp (the engaging title of "Wee Wee, Pee Pee, Tinkle"), and even a rap song ("City Garden Rap").
Each track on Wonder Pets! is a sweet mini-story -- just the right length to keep a preschooler's attention -- and kids will have a blast dancing and singing along. Who could resist a chorus that goes "Sheep-eee-hooo!" in the style of a Strauss waltz?
Still, a couple of the songs may be a little difficult for young kids to follow without the benefit of actually seeing the TV show. "The Caterpillar's Song" is about a pupa turning into a butterfly, and it's hard for a young one to imagine that transformation without visuals. It's also very unclear exactly why the Wonder Pets would need to "Tickle the Whale."
Fans of this CD might also enjoy Baby Loves Jazz or Dance Fiesta with Dora the Explorer.
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LanguageMing-Ming affects a slight speech impediment (substituting "w" for "r"). |
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Social BehaviorThere are plenty of positive messages throughout -- teamwork, doing things on your own, change can be good, putting garbage in a trashcan, taking care of a tree by watering it, and keeping it company by planting other things around it. |
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