The genius of Putumayo Kids is partly song selection -- all of the music is energetic, accessible, and family-friendly, but not clichéd. Especially delightful is the French "En Voici, En Voila" by ...
Common Sense Reviewer
- Kathi Kamen Goldmark
- California
- 4 kids: ages 16, 20, 22, 26
About Me
Kathi Kamen Goldmark is the author of And My Shoes Keep Walking Back to You, a novel; co-author of The Great Rock & Roll Joke Book, and Mid-Life Confidential: the Rock Bottom Remainders Tour America with Three Chords and an Attitude; has contributed essays to several anthologies, and co-writes a monthly column in BookPage. Kathi is the founder of the all-author rock band the Rock Bottom Remainders and "Don't Quit Your Day Job" Records, author liaison for high-profile literary events, and producer of the radio show West Coast Live. A 2007 San Francisco Library Laureate and winner of the 2008 National Women's Book Association award, she likes to think she is ready for anything.
What My Kids Love Now
My son is grown and married, but when he was younger, he loved to listen to comedy music (Weird Al, the Dr. Demento show) and made three "dementia music" albums of his own; now he writes for a sketch-comedy group in L.A. My daughter-in-law loves gaming, and is studying game design and animation in college. My step-son is studying in China--but last time I looked, he loved Johnny Cash, Outkast, and the Pogues; and my step-daughter, at fifteen, loves everything from hip-hop to Broadway show tunes.
House Rules
When the Kids Are Asleep…
Titles You’ve Reviewed
Music: European Playground
I rate this titleonand give itGive kids a taste of Europe's languages and rhythms.
Music: Language Arts
I rate this titleonand give itRap CD teaches English with cool beats and memorable lyrics.
The genius of the Rhythm Rhyme Results series lies partly in the care taken to identify crucial concepts, and partly in the talent applied to presenting them in musical form. The Language ...
Music: Science
I rate this titleonand give itRap and hip-hop beats make learning science so much easier.
The genius of the Rhythm Rhyme Results series lies partly in the care taken to identify crucial concepts, and partly in the talent applied to presenting them in musical form. The Science CD ...
Music: Social Studies
I rate this titleonand give itWith rap and rhyme, this ain't grandma's history lesson.
Rhythm Rhyme Results is able to pack in tons of history facts without being overwhelming. And they've managed to pull off a seamingly impossible feat: the music actually sounds cool. Already a hit on ...
Music: Math
I rate this titleonand give itThe new math: Cool lyrics and rap beats teach the lesson.
Math is kind of hard to teach in a song -- even when you're rapping. The lyrics on this release are less imaginative and poetic than those on the other titles in the series -- and students may need ...
Music: Robbert Bobbert & the Bubble Machine
I rate this titleonand give itGoofy, '60s-style rock 'n' roll encourages pretend play.
Imagination and a playfulness are the real stars on Robbert Bobbert. The songs are engaging and fun, with instrumental tracks that make thematic sense -- lumbering on "The Mighty Mighty ...
Music: Baby Einstein World Music
I rate this titleonand give itImported lullabies get watered down in translation.
The songs are OK, but they all sound oddly similar, despite each one's origin from diverse countries and cultures. It may or may not soothe fussy babies -- and it's utterly listenable -- but ...
Music: Wee-phabet Songs
I rate this titleonand give itTerrific musicianship elevates the ABCs.
Good musicianship is the highlight of this CD. The songs boast versatile and energetic keyboard and rhythm tracks, along with a bit of blistering guitar and a truly exceptional horn section. Lead ...
Music: Emphatical Piratical
I rate this titleonand give itRollicking pirate songs both kids and parents can enjoy.
The strongest tracks are those that feature First Mate McGraw and Chucklehead Pete (on lead guitar and banjo, respectively) -- two fine players who never "kid-ify" their performances. All the ...
Music: Spectacular! Movie Soundtrack
I rate this titleonand give itUpbeat dance-party fun with a "you can do it" message.
Never brilliant but consistently fun, the Spectacular! soundtrack keeps the energy high even on its anthem-y ballads, and the young performers rise to the demands of powerful rhythm tracks ...
Music: I'm a Hustla
I rate this titlenokidsand give itCassidy is not a "family show."
Visceral and edgy, Cassidy's songs are powerful snapshots of his take on urban street life. This is definitely not a family show though, which is too bad. Cassidy has grown up a lot since his last ...
Music: Music from the O.C. Mix 2
I rate this titleonand give itUnlike show, indie-rock songs are OK for tweens.
The idea is simple and brilliant; the show's young audience is exposed to wonderful new acts they might never hear otherwise, and the mix CDs are a musical breath of fresh air. This one boasts ...
