Classic Nursery Rhymes is chalk full of diverse and original presentations of nursery rhymes you thought you knew - but you haven't heard them like this!  Some rhymes are put to an unexpected beat, like Hickory Dickory Dock presented as a rap, or the beautiful string solos for the violin, mandolin, bass, and guitar in Old King Cole. Other rhymes that are already commonly known as a song are given a new tempo; Baa Baa Black Sheep and Little Nut Tree are slowed a great deal from the traditional versions, making each song into a surprising lullaby. Although the tune and tempo are not changed in the always-popular I'm a Little Teapot, a certain element of charm is added when a toddler sings the first verse alone in an adorable Australian accent. A child is also in charge of The Itsy Bitsy Spider, as a tiny voice directs the singer to sing the song again 'like a marching band', then 'sing it slowly', and finally 'sing it jazzy'.  Three Little Kittens and other rhymes are spoken word set to background piano music.

Peter Piper consists of a silly voice trying very hard to make it through the tongue twister. His efforts are sure to bring a smile to your and your little one's lips. Go ahead and try to join in!  Your little one may also be inspired or encouraged to say some of the familiar rhymes along with the CD when they hear the tiny voice of a shy toddler reciting Humpty Dumpty, Mary Mary, and Pat-A-Cake .  Another fun track to imitate or making into a game is the alliteration in Betty Botter; "So she bought a bit of butter, better than her bitter butter, and she put I tin her batter, and the batter was not bitter." The album also contains a healthy dose of humor little ones will understand and enjoy. For example, when Tallman gets the words wrong in Hey Diddle Diddle and saying the dish runs away with the 'fork', a toddler is heard giggling and corrects her that it is a 'spoon'.

I knew my two-year-old friend Kyle would love this album so I saved it for an afternoon where we had nothing planned so we could spend an hour or so playing, dancing, and singing to the music. My favorite was when Kyle tried to sing along with Skidamarink. There is nothing cuter than a toddler trying to say, "Skidamarink a dinka dink, skidamarink a doo." Kyle's version sounded more like "Skinky dinky doo doo!" Then he would crack up laughing at himself for saying 'doo doo'.  Okay, I was cracking up too. 

 

--Audra