Laurie Berkner's songs are wildly imaginative, sure to keep young listeners entertained and encourage them to let their own imagination fly. How about, The Cookie Bakers of the Night, a song about something (elves?) who quietly bake cookies all night, and then the cookies dance, jump, roll and fly around. The tasty treats in the Pretzel Store sprout wings and fly away, turn into rainbow fish and swim away, and turn into horses and galloped away. Your child will be inspired by the Magic Box that can sprout wings and fly you away. Berkner is just as creative and varied in the genre and song styles she uses; Telephone is a call-and-response song, Popcorn Calling Me is one of a few songs where sound effect words prevail, I'm a Mess is a fun rap, and Berkner even puts the nursery rhyme of "Three Little Pigs" to music in Lot's of Little Pigs. Berkner adds descriptive words to a South African traditional playsong in Rum Sum Sum, to make it even more fun to sing; she speaks directly to the listeners on this track and explains some of the hand motions that can accompany the words.
Many of the songs tell stories and have catchy rhythms, making them fun to dance to or act out. The strong guitar beat, violin, and tempo changes make I Really Love to Dance ideal for grooving to, whether spinning or walking backward. There's a Little Wheel a-Turning in my Heart also has two hands clapping, two feet stomping, little dogs barking, two eyes blinking, some kids sleeping, and a big truck honking in her heart - all with sound effects! The songs can also encourage activities and games. For instance, in Pig on Her Head each line has a new family member with an animal on their head; dad has a cow, mom has a sheep, sister has an alligator, and brother has an elephant on his head! What does your little one have on their head? (Be prepared for just about anything for an answer.) Berkner's song notes for In The Clouds say, "Kids love to tell me what they see in the clouds, even when there aren't any to look at." It would be fun to take a trip to the backyard with your child and find out what they see in the clouds.
My three-year-old friend, Sam, and I listened to this album together one day while I was toddler-sitting. After playing all afternoon, we had toys and books spread across the living room. I asked Sam if he wanted to play a new game, called "Clean it up!" All he heard was 'new game' and enthusiastically agreed. I put on the Clean it Up song and started picking up his toys (with gusto, of course). "C'mon Sam, you have to help. That's how you play the game," I encouraged smiling. He looked at me for a moment, thought about it, and said, "My mom plays this game. I don't like it."
--Audra