Family Music Cornucopia
Music for Little People has released two all-star music collections perfect for family listening. Celebration of Family gathers together tracks from a diverse group of well-known artists, including Faith Hill, Tom Chapin, Boyz II Men and Raffi. "Beautiful Boy" by John Lennon, "Happy Adoption Day" by John McCutcheon and "Grandma's Feather Bed" performed by Brenda Lee are some of the family-oriented songs here. (MFLP, 800-409-2457, CD $15.98, cassette $9.98, all ages, Oct.)
Family music man Tom Chapin included 12 of his biggest hits and four new songs on the recording Great Big Fun (for the very little one). Some of the best known tunes from his successful catalogue of works include "Uh Oh, Accident," "Zag Zig" and "State Laughs." The kicky "Bubblin' in the Bath" and "Jumpalong Jake" are two of the new selections. Throughout, Chapin's mastery of guitar and banjo (among other instruments) provides a sunny, inviting sound. (MFLP, 800-409-2457, CD $16.98, cassette $10.98, all ages, Oct.)
Dino Might
Little Proto, an inquisitive young Protoceratops, is back for a new adventure in Little Proto and the Volcano's Fire. When a distant volcano erupts and brings a roaring fire to the Sea Forest—the dinosaurs' home—Little Proto and his friends and neighbors must band together to survive. Budding paleontologists will enjoy hearing about King Geoffrey the T-Rex, Wrinkles the Triceratops and other creatures in the late-cretaceous period setting. Bodkin's mesmerizing storytelling style and skillful playing of the 12-string guitar as accompaniment give this title panache. (Rivertree Productions, 800-554-1333, CD $14.95, cassette $9.95, ages 3-up, Oct.)
Holiday Stocking Stuffers
A bevy of colorfully clad babies and children cavort in the snow and enjoy such winter pastimes as opening gifts and marveling at sparkly lights and ornaments. All the while, upbeat renditions of holiday carols play in the background. It's all here on the video Jingle-Bell Baby. There's even footage of a candy-cane-factory tour, a tasty and informative treat. (Small Fry Productions 800-521-5311, 30 mins., $15.95, ages 1-5, Oct.)
What could be more exciting than a Christmas Eve quest—back in the time of King Arthur? Young listeners are swept into historical fantasy as author Mary Pope Osborne reads her own bestselling works on the audiobook Christmas in Camelot, which includes the Magic Tree House titles Christmas in Camelot and Magic Tree House Research Guide #2: Knights and Castles. (Listening Library, unabridged, two cassettes, 2 hrs., $18 ISBN 0-8072-0586-9, ages 5-10, Oct.)
Magic Tree House fans on shoppers' holiday gift lists may also enjoy the new CD recording Magic Tree House Gift Edition: Books 1-8, read by the author. Listeners join Jack and Annie as they discover the magic tree house filled with books that sends them on adventures traveling to the time of the dinosaurs, Ancient Egypt, outer space and more. (Listening Library, unabridged, 5 CDs, 5 hrs., 40 mins., $30 ISBN 0-8072-0612-1, ages 5-10, Oct.)
