Search - Various Artists :: Children's Favorites

Imaginative and unique

Mary Alice Johnson | Seattle, WA United States | 10/09/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This album is different from the other children's albums our family owns, and it inspires the imagination. The songs are grouped in themes and have an authentic sound, with high production value. The first two tunes are nautical, and "Sailing, Sailing" sounds like a "sea shanty" that pirates are singing. We all enjoy the hoedown feel of the next set, with a rousing rendition of "She'll Be Coming Around the Mountain", and "Old Dan Tucker" and "Clementine" are tied together nicely, with a few sobs for darling Clementine. Our least favorite songs come next, with an off-putting version of "Old King Cole" in which the king does a lot of talking. He talks in "Sing a Song of Sixpence" as well, and when I listen to his haughty voice, I want to lead a revolution to overthrow his monarchy. The album gets better once you get past the British royalty songs. The steel drums of "Matilda" (not to be confused with "Waltzing Matilda") add a Carribean flair, and "If You're Happy and You Know It" is a lot of fun. The album winds up with a New Orleans/Mardi Gras theme, complete with horns and saxophones, again with more talking in between the songs, but it's pleasing this time. Probably our favorite song on the album is "Shortnin' Bread", which is sung exactly as it should be, Southern-style. This album comes with all the bells and whistles, in the form of wonderful sound effects. While the selection of songs may not appeal to everyone, we are glad to have something a little different. I haven't been able to determine what our two-year-old thinks of it, but I'm certain most young children would like the upbeat songs. I'm not sure, however, if children would like the grizzled-sounding pirate on "Sailing, Sailing" and that simpering Old King Cole, the ninny. We greatly prefer "Toddler Favorites", which was produced by the same company and has universal appeal."

Not our favorite

Tom Brody | 03/23/2002

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this tape for my daughter, who is 23 months old. I purchased Toddler Favorites and one of the Disney classics at the same time. She prefers the Toddler Favorites to all the others. This tape (Children's Favorites) has an odd musical selection. Some of the songs are unfamiliar and rather outdated. I think we were looking for something a bit more cutesy and upbeat. Still, we do listen to it and a couple of the songs are cute."

Children Just Love Many Songs. Very Silly and Good for Kids

T. Carlsen | 01/24/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I give this 4 1/2 stars, so I will round up. It's better than most children's music CD's.My children love many of the songs on this CD, like "Old Dan Tucker" and Shortnin' Bread." We own many children's CD's and this one ranks among one of their favorite ones. I don't know why. They do skip some songs, so I wouldn't rank it as the best childrens music CD.The song selection is a little different, which supplements other children's CD's. Overall, it seems to appeal to young children, and the content is decent - imaginative and generally good for kids.In summary, it's one of the better childrens music CD's available. A child will probably consider it one of his or her favorites."