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Brands Unlimited Consumer Electronics
By: Paula Slade
As many parts of the country continue to dig out from massive amounts of snow, parents and caregivers may need to turn toward on-line options for last minute shopping.
If you’ve been following this column for the last several weeks there have been a variety of items that have been researched for quality and value – everything from music CDs and video DVDs to cameras and dolls.
This final installment highlights additional choices for children’s entertainment, covering a wide variety of options as well as price ranges.
As always, you are the best single judge in choosing your child’s entertainment.
CREATIVE CARTOONING
Animationish from Fablevision
This is a standout product for children and teens (Kindergarten through grade 12) that enjoy the art of animation – Animationish, designed by award-winning author/illustrator/educator, Peter H. Reynolds, is an easy-to-use animation software program that inspires creativity and enables children to "show what they know." You can listen to a video about this unique product and download a free demo to try before you buy. This is an incredibly creative program that will provide countless hours of fun. $59.95
MUSIC-MUSIC-MUSIC
Rhyming Circus and other albums by Ralph Covert
Ralph Covert, leader of the rock/pop band, The Bad Examples, successfully crossed into kid-friendly territory several years ago garnering a Grammy nomination for Best Musical Album For Children at the 48th annual Grammy Awards. Covert, a nationally touring musician and creator of Ralph’s World, is a Walt Disney Records artist offering up a wonderful variety of children’s songs, all with catchy, well-articulated lyrics, and toe-tapping tunes. His music consistently draws 5 stars and his CDs are very affordable. You can preview and purchase many of his recordings at Amazon.com, from his own website or though Disney.
Baby Guitars
The latest recording by Nancy Wilson, singer/songwriter/guitarist and member of the phenomenal group Heart, Baby Guitars is a collection of lullabies that until now, the only people lucky enough to listen to them were her close family friends who were gifted with home-burned copies to commemorate the birth of their children. The ten beautiful compositions and stunning guitar work that compose Baby Guitars are reminiscent of Ms. Wilson’s work on the musical scores of films such as Jerry Maguire, Almost Famous, and Vanilla Sky. The CD carries an SRP of $9.99 and digital download of $8.99 and can be sound sampled, ordered or downloaded only through Amazon.com.
Party Like a Twinkle Star by Charity and the JAMband
Ten lively and fun tunes for “rocking out” and ten tunes for winding down and “tucking in” from the Parent’s Choice Award-winning group Charity and the Jam Band comes Party Like A Twinkle Star. You can preview the entire 2 disk album from Charity and the Jam Band’s website, and when you purchase the PHYSICAL DOUBLE-CD, you'll receive the following:
A single package containing both CDs (20 tracks total)
A 12-panel poster fold with lyrics for family sing-a-longs
A signed JAMband coloring page for your kids
And, you'll also get, for no added cost, an immediate download of all the tracks on the album - in your choice of 320k mp3, FLAC, or just about any other format you could possibly desire – ALL for only $20
BOOKS-BOOKS-BOOKS audio/paperback/video/Internet
AudioFile Magazine’s Free Collection of Sherlock Holmes Short Stories
When parents or caregivers sign up for AudioFile’s newsletter, December 16 to 29, 2009, they will receive a free collection of Sherlock Holmes short stories on audio-books, read by award-winning producer David Timson. With the new nationwide movie release of the PG-13 film, this is an ideal way to introduce teens to a classic reading collection.
Dog and Butterfly written and Illustrated by Ann and Nancy Wilson Graphic Design by Amber McDonald
To commemorate the 30th anniversary of the classic double platinum Heart album, Dog and Butterfly, now comes the engaging story of “a little dog whose only desire is to befriend a butterfly - and the determination and perseverance that help him reach his goal.” Ann Wilson and Nancy Wilson of the world-famous music group, Heart, have created this charming book based on the iconic song they also penned. A brand-new version of Dog & Butterfly, the hit song from the double-platinum album of the same name, will be available for download only with the purchase of the book - $11.98 available exclusively at Amazon.com.
Treasury of 50 Storybook Classics - Animal Antics and more!
A DVD visual menagerie of some of the finest children’s storybooks, from classics to contemporary, everything from Make Way for Ducklings to Click, Clack Moo narrated by such notable actors as Meryl Streep, Sarah Jessica Parker and John Lithgow. Recommended for preschoolers, this 7-disk set has a special read-along feature and provides over eight hours of entertainment for SRP of $49.95 and is available at Amazon.com for $44.99
Disney Digital Books
No Kindle or e-reader needed, this is a subscription only service, which provides on-line interactive access to 500 storybooks from Disney’s vast library of popular titles and characters. Geared toward children age’s three to twelve and covering all reading levels, Disney Digital Books offers beautifully illustrated stories, which include actor narration, music, on-line pronunciation advice, built in dictionary and unique story-builder function. Subscriptions may be ordered monthly or annually. (Annual price is $79.95) There is a complimentary trial available and a video explaining Disney Digital Books at this link.
ELECTRONICS
Brands Unlimited International, LLC, a manufacturer of consumer electronics and lifestyle products
A group of fun and functional gadgets featuring the beloved, world-famous M&M’s brand candy characters - each item in the introductory line is value priced at under $25. You can choose from such products as: FM Scan Radios, LED Desk Lamp, Computer Light, Computer Fan, Computer Hub Mug Warmer, Goose Neck Lamp, AM/FM Digital Alarm Clock Radio, and AM/FM Shower Radio to name just a few. More product information can be found at their website.
In case you missed earlier product reviews, you may find the following articles helpful:
Decking the halls with holiday themed DVDs: New releases and classic favorites for children
Unprecedented recording project pays tribute to Barry Louis Polisar children's music pioneer
2009 Holiday Gift Guide: Affordable camcorders for tweens and teens
'A Family Christmas':Putumayo presents holiday favorites CD
2009 Holiday Gift Guide: Children's dolls
2009 Holiday Gift Guide: 'Edutainment' gifts for the preschool set
A child's CD treat: London Philharmonic does 'The Tortoise and the Hare'
2009 Holiday Gift Guide: Children's storybooks on DVD
Generational music: 'Sarah Lee Guthrie and Family Go Waggaloo'
New fun-filled CD: Rockin', Rollin' nd Ridin' with Rebecca Frezza and Big Truck
David Archuleta's 'Christmas From the Heart' debuts Billboard 200
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