CD-Charts Position 21
Average Rating:

Free To Be ... You And Me (1972 Television Cast)

CD-Charts > Music > Stories
from: Arista

Release Date October 25, 1990
I recently ordered this "album" for my grand daughters. It was my son and daughter's favorite in the '70's. We saw Marlo Thomas in person sing these songs in New York and have loved them ever since. It is a GREAT story line for all kids with a very feel good message for confidence.

CD-Charts Position 22
Average Rating:

The Tragic Treasury: Songs from a Series of Unfortunate Events

CD-Charts > Music > Stories
by: Gothic Archies, Stephin Merritt, Lemony Snicket

Release Date October 10, 2006
I purchased this for my son who is into the series and I didnt expect much.
This is so totally funny. It is done by the author and his "goth band".
The music is catching and the lyrics will make you laugh.
This one will be heard over and over again.

CD-Charts Position 23
Average Rating:

Veggie Tales: O Veggie, Where Art Thou?

CD-Charts > Music > Stories
by: Veggie Tales

Release Date April 01, 2003
I love this CD. I have 4 kids ranging from 2-10 and I catch them singing these songs a lot. There's a great mix of old hymns and songs my parents and grandparents probably sang. A few of them were new to me. I love connecting my kids to the past and having them sing songs from the generations before them. I also used one of the songs as background when I made a presentation for the nursery at my church. It was a big hit. I got another copy of this CD for the nursery to play for the kids at my church. An enjoyable CD for the whole family. We love it!

CD-Charts Position 24
Average Rating:

Blah Blah Blah: Stories About Clams, Swamp Monster, Pirates and Dog

CD-Charts > Music > Stories
by: Bill Harley

Release Date April 01, 2008
The stories are fun, and relate to kids' emotions/feelings etc. And he is talented story-teller too. Nice, intelligent sense of humor kids can relate to.
I played it in the car. My 7 year old who only likes classical music enjoyed it, and my I-can't-stand-kids-stuff husband did not protest...!

CD-Charts Position 25
Average Rating:

Hot Peas 'N Butter, Vol. 3: Mo Hotta, Mo Butta

CD-Charts > Music > Stories
by: Hot Peas 'N Butter

Release Date May 02, 2006
We saw them first on Noggin, then live in NYC. The entire family enjoys their songs - from my 9 month old to my 3 yr old to their grandmother! Lots of fun!

CD-Charts Position 26
Average Rating:

The Three Musketeers: Robin Hood

CD-Charts > Music > Stories
from: Greathall Productions

Release Date April 05, 2000
Weiss comes highly recommended in homeschooling circles. Unlike one reviewer, I don't consider his voice to be "liquid gold" (for example, I prefer the sound of James Earl Jones) but it really is pleasant to listen to. I've heard samples of his voice before and wasn't overly impressed, given the glowing recommendations, but I found that his voice actually grew on me in this production. He voices characters pretty well, including women, but does not go really into character -- compared to his Prince & The Pauper (the only other complete recording of his that I've heard). And this truly is a recording that 5 year olds can comprehend and enjoy. The reason I gave this only four stars, though, is that I found his turn of phrase to be a bit awkward or not to my ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 27
Average Rating:

The Cat in the Hat Songbook/If I Ran the Zoo/Dr. Seuss Sleepbook

CD-Charts > Music > Stories
by: Dr. Seuss

Release Date November 09, 1999
These songs are funny in a quirky sort of way that might seem old fashioned to people today. The recordings seem to be from at least as far back as the 70's, or maybe even a decade earlier, which just by the instrumentation and the style of singing used makes the songs seem pretty dated. It's not as bad as the syrupy Disney songs of old, but the overuse of a cheesy sounding organ on almost all these songs gets old after a while.

The difference between these songs & Dr. Suess' books are that the simple rhythm of his poetry gets kind of lost in the musical settings of Eugene Poddany, which try to be as funny as Dr. Seuss's rhymes, but invariably aren't, with some exceptions. "Hurry, Hurry, Hurry" is one song where Mr. Poddany matches the music ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 28
Average Rating:

Murmel Murmel Munsch

CD-Charts > Music > Stories
by: Robert Munsch

Release Date March 07, 2006
I first discovered Robert Munsch as a children's librarian. When I had my first child I would play the cassette tape in the car. My daughter would laugh all the way to daycare and home again. It was great for me to hear her retell the stories to other kids and her grandparents. A great tool for language development and a great lead in to listening to books on tape/CD. Now I have my second child, my tape is worn out and I am so glad to find a CD. My oldest daughter will certainly enjoy hearing once again, "Hey You PIGS!!!!!

CD-Charts Position 29
Average Rating:

The Velveteen Rabbit

CD-Charts > Music > Stories
by: George Winston

Release Date April 01, 2003
My former drama teacher used to have that quote in his office. This story, "The Velveteen Rabbit," is an old favorite of mine and his. Meryl Streep and George Winston do a great job of this on CD. Meryl Streep narrates, as George Winston playes the piano. Some would call this a Christmas CD, but I personally think it's great for all year around. The piano playing of "Carol of the Bells," is pretty in the background.

Ever since "The Velveteen Rabbit," was first published in 1926, it has not only never been out of print, but it has also been illustrated by many different artists. Not to mention read by many different narrators on video and audio. My girlfriend and I even saw it live in Roanoke. I'll always remember being very scared as a child, ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 30
Average Rating:

Thanks & Giving All Year Long (Companion CD)

CD-Charts > Music > Stories
by: Marlo Thomas & Friends

Release Date November 16, 2004
I bought this based on a review in Mothering magazine a few years ago, and it has been one of my four children's favorite CDs ever since. "I Want It" became our theme song one vacation as everyone sang it out loud over and over again at full blast in the car (my kids recognized themselves). We tend to skip over the stories, as it's the songs that are really catchy and singable. A teenage mother's helper I had one summer was astounded at all the "cool" people she recognized on the CD. A must buy for any family with young children!