This recording is an uplifting and energetic collection of all-original songs by multiple Grammy winning performer, Tom Chapin. It was also named a Notable Children's Recording by the American Library Association. The album features Chapin's wide range of voices and ranges, children singing, and Chapin's basic repertoire of instruments; guitar, harmonica, banjo, mandolin, piano, synth, drums, and bass.

Chapin's songs take common activities, feelings and concerns of children, and sets them to fun melodies that children will adore. The songs are usually fleshed out with direct rhymes and choruses that repeat many times over to make learning the song easier, and allow you to join in after hearing it just once. For example, Chapin's new version of Happy Birthday (nothing like the one we sing each year) repeats three times, so you may find your child joining in by the third verse. Catches teaches your child about listening to more than one melody at once, as it is sung in rounds with Chapin, children, and a female voice. It also has a good message for little listeners to keep their bodies healthy and strong. Chapin's songs often have educational value sneaked in through all the fun, like in State Laughs where, between silly lines like, "In Arkansas, they go ha ha ha, in Tennessee they go hee hee hee, and in Idaho they go ho ho ho," your child is learning the names of some states without even realizing it! Most of the songs on the album are upbeat and dance-worthy, but Chapin does provide listeners with a few breathers through the lullaby chorus of the title track, and the ballad Grow In Your Own Sweet Way.

Because Chapin's songs touch on things children are interested in, don't be surprised when you child adlibs their own two cents into a song. They may want to include their own favorite books in Library Song (or you could do the same), try their hand at yodeling in The Trail Ride, ask if you two can also make buckwheat-chocolate chip-apple-raisin-pancakes like the dad and kids in the song Mother's Day, or make their own favorite hiccup noise alongside Chapin in Princess Di's Distress. There is fun in every song. Your little one will join right in with the children singing the alphabet in Alphabet Soup, and the catchy beat is sure to get their shoulders and hips moving. Many of the songs also create great segues into important conversations with your child. Neat Mess is all about the irony of mom and dad having 'neat messes' of their own, like closets full of decorations and random things moms save over the years, or the craziness of dad's basement or shop full of "thirty years of National Geographic, and every album of the Boston Pops." Don't Play With Bruno addresses the important subject of leaving someone out just because they seem a little different. The young girls in the song don't want to play with Bruno because he's a "dweeb." This is a very important conversation to have with your child as they are just starting to make new friends though play groups and, soon enough, school.

My three-year-old friend, Sam, and I listened to this CD for the first time together. When Sing a Whale Song came on, Sam asked if the whale in this song knew Baby Beluga. I giggled and told him "Oh yeah, they are probably good friends." When the real whale sounds came on, Sam's eyes bugged and he looked to me excited, "What is it saying?!" I hesitated, deciding whether to respond with "Brush your teeth," or "Listen to Audra," but decided to take a more honest route, "I think its saying 'I love you'."

--Audra

Tom Chapin is a Grammy Award-winning American musician, entertainer, singer-songwriter and storyteller. He has won the following awards: Parents' Choice Award in 1988 for Family Tree; Moonboat was named notable children's recording by the American Library Association in 1980; Harry Chapin Award for Contributions to Humanity and National Association for Campus Activities in 1990; Parents' Choice Award and New York Music Award for best children's album in 1991 for Mother Earth; and a Parents' Choice Award and New York Music Award for best children's album in 1992 for Billy the Squid.

He is best known for his children's music, but he also writes and performs for adults. Chapin's music borrows elements from a vast range of musical influences, from folk singer Pete Seeger to syncopated rhythms of Latin music, blues, country, and classical music.

Chapin graduated from State University of New York at Plattsburgh. From 1971-1976, he hosted a TV show called Make a Wish. He is the son of Jim Chapin and the brother of Harry Chapin. He has appeared in the Broadway production Pump Boys and Dinettes, among others. He is married to Bonnie Chapin; his daughters and stepdaughter are musicians as well (the Chapin Sisters).