Wee Chant introduces listeners to chants, songs, and lullabies from cultures and countries around the world; including a variety from a Creole mamba, a Woodie Guthrie classic, a Native American chant, and many more. Instruments are kept to a minimum, just a tambourine, shakers, bells, a recorder, and hand clapping. The prominent beats and rhythms in this recording fully engage listeners, making this excellent music for car rides, playtime, and family or group activity time.

Mary Lee Sunseri has compiled songs and chants from around the world that will engage little ones, expose them to sounds from other cultures, and teach them beat recognition. The beat in the Nigerian song Fanga A La Fia is presented through hand drums, a shaker, and a very soft keyboard. The tempo increases in the final instrumental verse until it's a whirlwind pace and the song ends suddenly. The changes in pace and modified call-and-response style of the song keeps children in excited anticipation. Kee Lay Lay, a Congolese song, plays with the tempo, having the second verse noticeably faster than the first. The lyrics primarily consist of the title being repeated, helping listeners focus more on the beat. The Jamaican song We Come From The Mountain stands out with staccato verses and a trilling chorus. It explores the messages from people that live in the mountains, near the ocean, and in the dessert that are coming together to "turn the world around." Slower, more relaxing songs include Bengali Infant Massage Song and the Norwegian lullaby, There Is A Garden.

Many of the songs include repeating lines - often the title - so children can learn the lyrics quickly and join right in. Parents and grandparents may even recognize the Woody Guthrie cover, Hey, Pretty Baby. The Creole chant Manba, Mamba, Jolie Mamba includes a beat that grows in volume and complexity throughout the song. Encourage your child to 'sing' to the changing beat; even if they are not matching the words. It will be fun to listen to them use their own sounds and create a unique chant. Circle of the Sun is great to clap along with (hand claps are the only instrument heard), and easy to personalize the words; what do you want to do in the circle of the sun? Dance? Stretch? Eat ice cream? Let your little one fill in the blank. The lullabies, such as Where I Sit Is Holy are great for snuggling up together and ending the listening session on a relaxed note.

I listened to this CD with my three-year-old friend Sam. I changed the lyrics of I Am Part Of My Community to "I am part of my family," and replaced the names in the song with the names of Sam's family. He loved it! He wanted me to sing it again and fill in all the names of my family, which is only my husband, me, and our dog. When I got to naming our dog, Sam had caught on to the words and sang a little bit with me.

--Audra

Mary Lee Sunseri is the winner of two American Library Notable Children's Recordings and four Parents Choice Awards. She has produced and performed 16 CD's of traditional and original music. Mary Lee has performed with the legendary Burl Ives, opened for Bill Cosby and Lily Tomlin, recorded the title song to Walt Disney's movie The Apple Dumpling Gang, recorded nursery rhymes for Mattel Toys' See 'N Say, toured as a member of "Randy Sparks & The Back Porch Majority,"and appeared in the MGM Elvis Presley movie The Trouble with Girls.

Mary Lee received her certificate of study in Musical Theatre from London Drama School with distinction in singing. She performs at festivals, concerts, folk clubs, and corporate and academic groups. She is a frequent performer at public schools and　libraries throughout California, Massachusetts and Washington, and gives workshops on music and infant brain development.

Mamba, Mamba, Jolie Mamba - 2:16

Circle Of the Sun - 3:15

I Am Part Of My Community - 1:57

Fanga A La Fia - 3:08

We All Came To Welcome You - 2:17

We Come From The Mountain - 1:44

Hobby horse May Song - 0:46

Where I Sit Is Holy - 3:20

Hey, Pretty Baby - 2:08

Kee Lay Lay - 2:34

Bengali Infant Massage Song - 2:50

There Is A Garden - 3:20