We received the following products to facilitate an honest review. All opinions are my own
Young children everywhere are fascinated by animals, and the children’s music canon is replete with songs about furry and slithery friends. There can never be too many animal songs, and a new book-CD from The Secret Mountain offers a summery shower of ten catchy and light-hearted songs by top singer-songwriters.
One song celebrates cuddly cats and dogs who just want to be your friend, even on a rainy day. Other tunes invite listeners to share an umbrella with a heartbroken pooch who sings the blues, a tomcat who has a soft spot for sour cream and a rambunctious little kitty who snores and growls. The book-CD is full of whimsy and good cheer thanks to the playful, heartwarming illustrations by Marie-Eve Tremblay, and the original songs by accomplished singers and skilled musicians. A few of these songs have appeared on previous storybook – music CDs from The Secret Mountain; others are new to the collection. It’s Raining Cats and Dogs! was published last year in French as Il pleut à boire debout! – Chansons de chiens et chats.
My Thoughts
This is adorable. My kids (including my class) are absolutely obsessed with this. What small child wouldn’t love music about animals and the illustrations pull the whole sing along book together. The kids love that they can look at these adorable illustrations and sing along to these fun, catchy songs. Perfect for those rainy days stuck inside or even a fun road trip sing along! You’ll be able to buy this adorable title later this month (you can pre-order on Amazon today!
Oceans, rivers and lakes have inspired composers throughout history. A new book-CD in The Secret Mountain’s growing collection of classical music titles explores the flowing realm of “amazing water” as expressed by composers from the 17th century to the present day. The perfect gift for young music lovers, Amazing Water provides a wealth of information about the music and a variety of composers.
Mexico City-based author and music educator Ana Gerhard introduces children (and their grown-ups) to the works of Handel, Bach, Schubert, Vivaldi, Beethoven, Debussy, and others by demonstrating how water—the sea, rivers, fountains, and rainfall—has inspired the composers. The book pairs three centuries of music history with colorful and evocative illustrations. The 68-page hardcover picture book features a glossary of musical terms, a timeline of musical history, and a short biography of each composer.
The accompanying CD features 20 excerpts from various recordings performed by world-class luminaries, including the London Philharmonic Orchestra, La Scala Chorus and Orchestra, and the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields. Originally published in Mexico, this English-language edition is available in North America for the first time.
My Thoughts
I love this book/cd combo so much. I studied classical music as part of my Art major and it holds a special place in my heart. There is just something calming and perfect about listening to classical composers. My children have listened to these classical composers since birth (and before). I loved the way the book shares information about the composers and musical history. It is a great way to introduce your children to classical music in a fun and colorful way. The book is beautifully done and the accompanying music fits perfectly. A perfect addition to your music library! You can order your own copy today!
Would you like to win your own copies of these amazing books? Enter below for your chance to win. While you’re waiting, check out The Secret Mountain website and look at all their amazing books and cds. You can also learn more about these great titles!
Disclosure: Mommy Makes Time receives products in order to conduct reviews. No monetary compensation was provided unless noted otherwise. All opinions are 100% my own. Some posts may contain affiliate links that I receive commission or payment from in exchange for referrals. In the event of a giveaway, the sponsor is responsible for delivery of the prize, unless otherwise noted in the posting. I only recommend products or services I personally use and believe will be a good fit for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 225: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising
I’m excited about out camping trip we’ve planned with friends.
Beautiful books and I love that they are are book/CD combo – even better 🙂
I am most excited about my family’s upcoming trip to NYC
I always look forward to swimming, bike riding to the park for a picnic and play and evenings on the patio
I have a Alaskan Cruise booked for Aug!! Going with my parents and siblings!