This music will lull your little one to sleep, or provide the perfect soundtrack for quiet play time, through the gentle melodies of French lullabies. The lullabies are sung in male and female voices, as well as childrens voices on select songs, which offer a wide range of tones for your little one. The beautiful French language is accompanied by the sounds of violin, bass, cello, harp, bells, harmonica, flute, piano, hand drums, and small percussion.

Although many listeners may not understand the French lyrics, the music will certainly still be experienced as the sounds vary a great deal between songs. The song titles are also translated to English on the back cover, so you have the title to set the tone and expectations for the song. A male voice leads throughout La poule blanche, and a female voice accents the melody. Je serai un nuage begins with the tinkling of bells before a harmonica and electric guitar join in. Listeners will really get a feel for the language in this song since it is fun for the ears! L'inondation includes subtle sounds of a thunderstorm in the background of a simple melody on the piano, accented by the guitar. Le concert des grenouilles includes frog sounds that are - surprisingly - quite soothing like you are drifting to sleep near a pond. For a quite different sound, Do-do ti-Cheri, features hand drums and wooden sticks making clicks and clacks for an almost-tribal sound with flute accents. La luciole begins gentle and happy with the harp and children's voices, and about half way through the song violins join in to provide a sudden folksy feel.

Although the songs are all lullabies, some are more playful, while others are gentle, providing more opportunities for interaction. You can share the translated title with your little one as each song begins, and even make up stories to match the music. As fodder for creative stories, a motif of animals - particularly hens - is carried throughout the album. There are songs that translate to The Little Grey Hen, The White Hen, and The Hen That Laid Golden Eggs. Dodo bebe is an easy song to sing along with, as there are only two lines repeated throughout the song, one of which is the title. It begins with a single voice and gradually adds more voices and violins. La poulette grise has playful sounds like "aaaaaaaa"s and staccato words like, "ha ha ha"s for listeners to recognize and imitate. There is always the option, of course, to simply hum along or tap your fingers while you snuggle and enjoy the beautiful language.

I put this CD on before my one-year-old friend, Mosley's, bedtime and laid next to him listening to a few songs. He started rocking his head back and forth on the pillow to the beat, but once I started humming along gently smoothing his hair, he closed his eyes and quickly drifted to sleep.

--Audra

The Secret Mountain's music has touched the hearts of parents and children for years. With multiple awards from Parents' Choice, NAPPA and Juno Awards, the Montreal-based publishing house has made great children's entertainment that both kids and adults will love.