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It’s
fun to learn about animals, when you learn about them with BabySongs!
My son has always loved animals. Long
before he could talk, he would squeal with delight whenever he saw an
animal, whether it be a squirrel in our backyard or a cow at a local
petting farm. Once he learned to walk, our two very tolerant dogs were
smothered with hugs. His first word was "Bomba," which was
his way of calling our dog Bonza.
Big or small, hairy or not, he loved ‘em.
I knew that I could always calm my little one's fussy moods by taking him
to a local zoo or wildlife preserve. Yet sometimes the weather didn't
always cooperate, and it would be too snowy or rainy to go on an outing.
That’s why I purchased the BabySongs Animals video.
I must admit—I thought the video was a
bit corny at first. But I guess that’s what appealed to my son, since he
fell in love with it and refused to let it end--requesting it be played
three or four times in a row whenever we sat down to watch it
together. Fortunately, the video's upbeat music appeals even to
adults, so I didn't mind the repeated viewings.
BabySongs Animals features the
catchy tunes of Hap Palmer, a legend in children’s music. Palmer’s
songs have been set to scenarios familiar to young children. Throughout
the video, you see children on the farm, at a zoo, at a pet shop, at a
Halloween party at home and in other places that frequently make up a
toddler's world. It includes nine video segments with real babies,
toddlers and preschoolers playing with and/or imitating real animals. I
guess that’s why one reviewer dubbed it "MTV for toddlers."
The segments are a mix of new songs and
classic children’s tunes, including:
-Old
MacDonald’s Farm
-The
Elephant
-I’m
Glad I’m Me
-Amazing
-Bingo
-Itsy
Bitsy Spider
-Baby
Chickie
-What’s
Bigger Than a Bear
-My
Baby
Rather than go through each song (which
would make this a lengthy review), I'll describe our four favorites:
The
Elephant
This
fun tune includes photos of a real elephants and tigers, intermixed with
preschool kids playing with plastic elephants and pretending to be the
great animal. I especially like the fact that this segment is
interactive--my son always pulls out his plastic elephant and plays
along. He also likes to imitate the kids in the video and use his
arms like an elephant trunk.
Amazing
I
love this segment! In fact, it is the one that I want to
watch over and over again! It includes a very uplifting--almost
spiritual--tune celebrating the wonder of life in all of its forms.
Throughout the segment you see a quick succession of photos of a
variety of animals, plants, bugs and people while Palmer sings "Isn’t
it amazing? Looking around at everything. Makes you want to shout and
sing. Life is an amazing thing." A word of warning:
have a box of tissues close by. This song sometimes brings tears to my
eyes because it makes me realize how truly amazing the world is!
Bingo
Palmer
has updated this kids' classic and turned it into a rhythmic song that is
certain to get your kids clapping! It’s a great way to teach your
child the a few letters of the alphabet, since each letter of the word
BINGO is shown on a oversized block. That letter and its phonic sound is
then emphasized with a short clip of other items also beginning with the
same letter. My son doesn't even realize he's learning as he claps
along with the preschoolers during this segment!
I’m
Glad I’m Me
This
segment helps build a child’s self-esteem. In the song, different
children are sent out by their parents to buy bread. Each one wishes that
s/he didn't have to walk. Instead, they dream of flying like a bird,
galloping like a horse, or jumping like a kangaroo. The children imitate
the animals, but later decide that they are glad to be kids and enjoy the
fact that they have two legs to walk. The song subtly communicates the
message that we all have special characteristics that make us unique from
every other living thing.
Would
I recommend this video for your library?
Without hesitation! It has kept my son entertained for hours,
and I feel good knowing that the video is filled with happy images, upbeat
music and subtle messages that will help build his self esteem. You
will find that video grows on you, too!
If
you would like to purchase this video for your child's library, it is
available from Amazon.com. Click on link below for
information.
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