This recording contains nineteen children's songs about different winter holidays celebrated around the world, presented through Nancy Stewart's soothing voice. She is accompanied by a guitar, bass, keyboard, bass, wood blocks, maracas, and percussion. This music is calm enough to be played anywhere from the car, playtime, or even before a nap.

This recording represents the winter celebrations of many different cultures, as well as some traditional Christmas songs including Jingle Bells, We Wish You A Merry Christmas, Frosty the Snowman, and Up On The Housetop. Most of the Christmas songs are just Stewart's voice and her guitar, but Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer is busier with a strong bass beat, woodblocks, and a keyboard. Lesser known songs are also included, and may be fun new additions to your holiday song collection. For instance, Christmas Bees sings rounds of the chorus, "Buzz buzz buzz, hear the buzzing of the bees/ Singing little lullabies on Christmas Eve/ Buzz buzz buzz, hang the holly on the hive/ Listen to the buzzing of the lullabies." Angel Band is a counting song, up to ten, and Rub A Dub, Dub is a silly bath time song about getting cleaned up for the holiday festivities.

The album introduces different cultures and celebrations that will likely inspire questions from your little one. Listeners learn a little about the Jewish holiday of Chanukah in My Dreydl and Eight Days of Light, they learn Kwanzaa is seven days long, the Chinese culture decorates lanterns with bright colors and animal shapes. Your child will discover that the Spanish culture breaks pinatas, and the Christmas tree tradition comes from Germany. Many of the songs have a line in their native language, further exposing young listeners to other cultures. Learning about all the different ways to celebrate, your child may have new questions about your family traditions; where they came from and if they ever change. It may even be fun to start a new tradition with the help of your child so they can see it solidify within the family over time.

While listening to this album together, my three-year-old friend, Sam, belted out all of the traditional Christmas songs that he knew. When an unfamiliar song came on, he listened for a moment until he had the tune down and then hum loudly along. I asked if he liked any of the new holiday songs and he responded with, "Christmas Bees is the bees knees!" (I later learned that was his newest phrase learned from overhearing his mom use it.)

--Audra

Nancy Stewart is a national award-winning musician who has been writing and performing for young children and their families for more than twenty years. This followed a successful fifteen year-long career as lead guitarist and vocalist with a nationally known show band. Featuring original and traditional songs, Nancy's CDs for children can be heard in schools, homes, and libraries across the country. Her music workshops for teachers, parents, and librarians have been highly praised for their relevant, useful, and easy to use songs and ideas.

Kwanzaa - 1:25

Angel Band - 1:29

Frosty The Snowman - 2:19

Break The Pinata - 1:47

Chinese Lanterns - 2:25

I Am A Camel - 1:30

Jingle Bells - 2:45

Up On the Housetop - 1:42

We Wish You A Merry Christmas - 1:09

Jolly Old St. Nicholas - 1:20

A Season For Singing - 2:35

Oh Tannenbaum/Song for Germany - 2:46

Eight Days of Light - 1:56

My Dreydl - 1:46

The Friendly Beasts - 2:55

Star Shine Bright - 1:33

Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer - 2:08

Rub A Dub, Dub - 2:40

Christmas Bees - 1:10