This recording includes 13 beautiful calming songs from around the world. Many are sung in native languages and use a variety of instruments, including guitar, bells, saxophone, piano, sanshin, synthesizers, and hand percussion instruments. The lullabies are perfect for bedtime and relaxation.

It's never too early to expose your child to other cultures and the new sounds of foreign languages and instruments. The South African song Thula Mama features the piano and is sung in the Xhosa language, and Yi-Rrana, or "sundown" is sung in the Australian aboriginal language, Bararra. The Brazilian lullaby La Vai Albuem features the raspy voice of Virginia Rose and a saxophone; and the Japanese Cradle Song is a lullaby from Okinawa, which utilizes the sounds of the wind, water, and a string instrument called a sanshin. The electric guitar may be a surprise in Naima but it works well with the hand shakers to create a unique sound. The female singer in the Russian Lullaby makes an interesting sound when she slurs the final note of each line up. The CD also includes a traditional lullaby in Spanish from the Mexican state of Guerrero, a traditional Sephardic lullaby sung in the Ladino language, a lullaby from Madagascar sung in the Malagasy language, and songs from the United States and Canada.

While listening to these multicultural songs, you are encouraged to flip through the cover booklet (written in English, Spanish, French, and Dutch), as it provides a description and story for each of the songs and sometimes highligts some of the instruments heard. You can teach your little one about each song, almost creating a storytime along with the music. For instance, the cover booklet reveals that Cradle Spell of Dunvegan is a Scottish lullaby that tells the legend of a child whose fairy mother was homesick for fairyland, so the child's human father sadly let her return. One night, the fairy mother heard her baby child crying and came down from fairyland to sing him to sleep. The final verse of the song is in English, so you can hear the fairy singing to her child. Another song, Cancion Para Dormir a un Nino, is sung by the great-great-granddaughter of a Mapuche Indian chief who fought to preserve his tribe's independence more than 100 years ago. While explaining the history or origin of the songs, you can spark your child's imagination, educate them (and yourself), and add depth to the listening experience.

I listened to this CD with my two-year-old friend, Kyle, about an hour before bedtime. We snuggled on the couch and mostly just listened. He asked me at one point, "What are they singing?" I told him it was another language and to listen carefully. He did. He even started humming while he leaned into me sleepily. Before long, his humming dropped off, and he was sound asleep.

--Audra

Putumayo Kids is the children's and educational division of Putumayo World Music. As one of the leading children's record labels, Putumayo Kids is committed to introducing children to other cultures through music from around the world.

With its growing collection of CDs featuring multilingual liner notes, Putumayo Kids produces music that entertains, educates and inspires cultural curiosity. More than three million Putumayo Kids CDs have been sold around the world. At least one percent of the CD sales benefit non-profit groups that support children, families, schools and other charities.

The Putumayo Kids music team chooses songs with child-friendly lyrics and rhythms by both renowned and undiscovered international artists. The collection of songs are tested in schools and with families. An international music selection contributes to the education of future global citizens while holding true to Putumayo's mission of sharing music that is "guaranteed to make you feel good".

Putumayo Kids has won numerous awards and is parent and teacher approved. Some organizations that have awarded honors to Putumayo Kids include Parents' Choice, National Parenting Publication Awards, Teachers' Choice and the American Library Association.