Singable Songs for the Very Young

Singable Songs for the Very Young

by Raffi

Raffi's Singable Songs for the Very Young is both a mixture of classic children's songs and Raffi originals. Although Raffi's recognizable voice and guitar are the most prominent instruments on the CD, a large variety of sounds make appearances throughout the songs, including a banjo, fiddle, jug, organ, trumpet, flute, accordion, harmonica, and even a kazoo! The songs range from traditional sing-along, to folks songs, to a jazz song, and a polka!

This collection includes classics, such as "Baa Baa Black Sheep," and "My Dreydel", as well as fun originals like "Brush Your Teeth" or "I Wonder If I'm Growing." One old classic even get's a new twist in, "Old MacDonald Had a Band" where the animals are replaced with different instruments. Some songs are solely Raffi's familiar voice singing simple tunes with plenty or repetition and rhyme in the lyrics, while other have instruments and children singing along, encouraging your little listening to also join right in. The songs range in tempo, even sometimes within the same song, but are generally upbeat. There are only a few slower songs to give your little one - and you - a breather, so be prepared for a steady stream of fun.

Your child will likely know the chorus of each song after one listen, and eagerly begin singing along while dancing and moving about. They can even join in some of the sound effects, such as 'gluggling' like a frog, snapping, humming, and whistling. The beat for the majority of songs is a common 4/4 time and often tapped or snapped out, so children can easily pick up on it and bop their head or wag their hips in time without even realizing it. Some of the songs, like "Five Little Frogs" teach numbers, while other teach healthy and positive messages, such as "The Sharing Song" and "Brush your Teeth." You can also name the instruments as they play so your little one begins associating sounds with the correct instrument. Perhaps you even have a guitar, harmonica, or kazoo at home that they can recreate the sounds on. You can always just dance around the living room, or sing along in the car!

I kept this CD in the car when my niece, Emily, was one year old, and would sometimes play it while we ran errands. I found myself singing along with the songs - full volume - and making crazy voices right along with Raffi. I would sneak peeks at Emily in the rearview mirror at stop lights and she would usually be watching, wide eyed. She was either enjoying the show, or wondering who the crazy woman is driving. I like to think she was just floored by my great voice.

--Audra

Raffi Cavoukian, a renowned Canadian performer, began his career in children's entertainment in 1974. Wearing many hats, he is a music producer, author, entrepreneur, presenter, and the founder of Child Honouring, a vision for global restoration. The Washington Post has called Raffi, "the most popular children's entertainer in the English-speaking world." His CDs, books and videos have sold over 15 million copies in Canada and the U.S.

Raffi has won multiple awards for his music, videos, and books. Some of the more prominent music awards include the Juno Award, Best Children's Album (1994), Platinum Award for Baby Beluga, a Platinum Award for Singable Songs For the Very Young, Best Seller awards, and multiple more Gold and Platinum Awards for his individual songs and records.

1 - The More We Get Together

2 - Down By The Bay

3 - Brush Your Teeth

4 - Robin In the Rain

5 - Five Little Frogs

6 - I Wonder If I'm Growing

7 - Aikendrum

8 - Bumping Up and Down

9 - Must Be Santa

10 - Willoughby Wallaby Woo

11 - Spider On the Floor

12 - Baa Baa Black Sheep

13 - Going to the Zoo

14 - My Dreydel

15 - Peanut Butter Sandwich

16 - Five Little Pumpkins

17 - The Sharing Song

18 - Mr. Sun

19 - Old MacDonald Had a Band