GoodyBlog

Nick Tunes

Last week, I blogged about the new line of CDs from a series that turns hit songs into lullabies. Now Nickelodeon is getting in on the act. The popular kids' network just released Sleepytime Lullabies, which uses a full string ensemble to sooth your little Dora fan off to dreamland. The CD features instrumental versions of some songs made famous by the likes of The Beatles, The Mamas & the Papas, and James Taylor. Bonus: It also includes “One Magic Kiss,” an exclusive track recorded by Brandi Carlile.

A Little Bit Country

Last year, the Rockabye Baby CDs were making the rounds here at the GoodyBlog office. Some of us loved them, and some of us didn't know what to make of them. To refresh your memory, the series features rock songs from classic and popular bands (Metallica, No Doubt, the Stones) turned into soothing lullabies. I thought it was a good idea, especially for all the rock-loving parents who are easily offended by bad kids' music (and trust me–there's plenty of it out there). Well, now the producers have released another series that won't assault your ears. Hushabye Baby includes lullaby versions of country's biggest hits, ranging from Johnny Cash's "I Walk the Line" to the Dixie Chicks' "Cowboy Take Me Away" to Carrie Underwood's "So Small." And the cool thing is you don't have to be a die-hard country music fan to enjoy the familiar melodies. Yee-haw! Shhh!

Lego-Inspired iPod Speaker

The Apple iPod is probably the most popular "toy" among adults (and teens and tweens for that matter), which is why I love this clever Lego-inspired accessory. The iPod Retro Mini Speaker comes in red, blue, green and yellow and is compatible with pretty much every iPod out there (and, thanks to Mr. Jobs, there are quite a few). Even better - there are no cables. It runs off energy from your iPod's battery, so it's perfect for families on the go. Visit Delight.com to snag your own for just $19.75.

The Secret Underground Hannah Montana Society

Anyone who follows this blog knows that my 6-year-old niece has already infected me with a bad case of High School Musical fever. Yes, I am certain that I am the only person over the age of 11 who describes "You Are the Music In Me" to friends as "haunting." (It'd be funny if it weren't true.)

As it turns out, my sweet, little Niecey Botwin was, in true drug pusher form, just starting me out on the soft stuff to get me hooked and comin' back for more: This past Thanksgiving weekend at home has left me with a full blown Hannah Montana habit. (Oh, how did I not see THAT coming?)

"Best of Both Worlds"? Brilliant. My favorite, "Nobody's Perfect"? A timeless masterpiece that I can't get out of my head: "Nobody's perfect. I gotta work it, again and again, til I get it right." I mean, it's spooky. It's like she knows me!

Time to fess up, all you achy breaky parents and former fans of Miley Cyrus's dad, Billy Ray. Mullets unite!! Admit you're a big ol' Momtana … and that you would've killed to have been on Oprah last week when the big O surprised everyone with a Miley/Hannah appearance)!

Photo via.

Singing and Dancing With Laurie Berkner

I didn't know quite what to expect when we went to see the Laurie Berkner Band at Carnegie Hall last weekend. It was the first time my 2 1/2-year-old daughter Jane had been to any kind of performance where she had to stay seated. And at least half the audience was under age 5. But leave it to Laurie, she had the whole crowd clapping and singing and dancing (on their seats and in the aisles) to the very singable songs that so many of us now know by heart. Jane also liked her bright red tights, yellow mini-dress, and purple guitar. Next month, she's performing in Atlanta. Also check out Laurie's new picture book, The Story of My Feelings, which comes with a sing-along CD.

Moo Baa Sa Sa Sa Sandra Boynton!

Last week I had the most fun, fantastic privilege to meet the one, the only, Sandra “Hippos Go Berserk” Boynton. If you have a kid, you have a Sandra Boynton library. I do! And my 2 ½-year-old Will, husband Bill, and I love every book—have most of ‘em memorized. They're whimsical, lyrical, joyful, funny (shall I go on?). The reason I got to meet Sandra was the upcoming release of Blue Moo:17 Jukebox hits From Way Back Never, her fourth album (yep, in addition to the gazillion board books she writes and illustrates, she—and her partner—do magical stuff with music). This new CD is original Fifties-inspired groovin’ sounds that Will and I totally dig. And what’s really cool is that she called up the actual legendary artists of that era and asked them to record the original tunes: Steve Lawrence, Neil Sedaka, Brian Wilson, Sha Na Na, BBKing, Davy Jones of The Monkees….(There’s a cool behind-the-scenes making-of-the-book youtube video.)  Anyway, I had five minutes and asked her a couple of questions:
You started drawing at 3…
SB: Everyone starts drawing as soon as they can; it’s just that kids tend to stop at a certain point because art teachers tend to tell kids who’s got talent and who doesn’t. I just never stopped.
So it’s been your passion since your were a little kid…
SB: Well, music is the first thing I’ve done that I’m a natural at. Drawing is hard for me; it’s gotten a lot easier, but it doesn’t come naturally. I loved drawing as a kid, but I also loved looking at what other people had drawn—Eloise and Maurice Sendak’s Little Bear, in particular. I would study those pictures. I was always drawn to very outline drawings—and animals. I can’t draw people.
Yes, cows and hippos and sheep and pigs…
SB: My animals are very people-like; I don’t think of them as zoological animals but as characters. In fact, the animals in my books are real people in my life. All of the small bears are my younger son—he very much has that gentle quality.
Is there an animal you don’t draw?
SB: I don’t think I’ve done a mosquito yet. And I find penguins very difficult to draw.
So that was my cool five minutes with Sandra Boynton (she has her own website where you can learn more about her—if you’ve become obsessed with her as I have.)

Dance With Me

Remember standing on your parents' toes as they twirled you around the living room? Seeing these amazing dance shoes on Apartment Therapy: The Nursery brought back immediate feelings of nostalgia and also reminded me of the Hans Christian Andersen story The Red Shoes about the girl who couldn't stop dancing. I absolutely love old fairy tales. How perfect would it be to give the shoes along with the story as a Christmas gift?

Here's the sad news: the shoes are still just a prototype by Huopaliike Lahtinen of Finland.

Mighty Key Rex

Despite having taken years of trumpet lessons in junior high, I could barely manage to squeak out my part of the Superman movie theme come concert time. (Oh, why do you haunt me, John Williams?!?) All the more reason why I felt such a sense of awe the first time I saw the story of musical prodigy Rex Lewis-Clack on 60 Minutes in 2005.

Rex was born with a cyst on his brain that rendered him blind and developmentally challenged, so much so that doctors feared he'd not be able to learn how to walk, talk, or even eat solid food. He also showed autistic-like symptoms, such as hand hypersensitivity. When you see what this little piano man has gone on to accomplish, you'll be amazed. And inspired. But you'll similarly feel embarrassed over your musical shortcomings. (You still remember that "Chariots of Fire" flute solo you did in 10th grade? Yeah … we're no longer impressed.)

A word of warning: This adorable little guy's uplifting story gets the official Goodyblog "10 Hankie" salute. Be prepared to be touched, but also be prepared to wipe away a tear or two. And I promise you, you'll never hear "Do You Know the Way to San Jose?" the same way again.

Photo via.

Old-School Tunes

I took a big-time trip down memory lane this weekend, all because I ended up discussing the narwhal—at length—at a party on Friday night. Yeah, I'm clearly a scintillating conversationalist. What's a narwhal, you ask? None other than the famed unicorn of the sea! (Okay basically it's a big arctic whale with a huge single tusk.) Most of the people I was with hadn't heard of said creature, and did not believe me until I stole someone's Blackberry and Googled it.

How had I heard of the narwhal, and retained this bit of arcane knowledge? I remembered it from the animal alphabet tape that I listed to ad infinitum as a little kid. And when I stumbled on someone else at the party who knew of the humble narwhal—guess where he knew it from?!?!

After a little Google magic the next day (really, how many kids' tapes include the narwhal?) I discovered that Animal Alphabet Songs is still available (on CD now!). I was elated. I listed to all of the songs on iTunes and the singer's website for a good hour, singing along gleefully as my boyfriend watched, slightly horrified.

So here's my plug: If you have little kids, buy Animal Alphabet Songs. Each animal's song is in a different style (so the Camel has a cool middle-eastern feel and the Hippopotamus has a jaunty little ditty.) It's catchy, it's surprisingly sophisticated, there's lots of great trivia packed in, and I promise (even if you weren't obsessed as a kid) that it won't drive you crazy.

The Coolest Thing I've Seen All Week

When the OK Go video for "Here It Goes Again" came out, I thought it was amazing and hysterical at the same time.  Well... it's even better with LEGOS! (via supertaster)

PS—How much do you love that we have an entire "LEGO" category?

PPS—If you've never seen the original, it's awesome and you should definitely watch it here.