Here Come the 123s

They Might Be Giants (2008), 44: 33 minutes

Audience: toddlers, pre-K

Format: CD/DVD

Jon Flansburgh and John Linnel have worked together since 1982 releasing both adult alternative rock albums and children’s music. They Might Be Giants won a Grammy Award for “Best Musical Album for Children” in 2009 for Here Comes the 123s, the group’s thirteenth album. This two-disc audio-video CD/DVD combination highlights a series of number and counting songs; a sequel to their 2005 release Here Comes the ABCs. Songs feature numerals from 1 to infinity; titles include … “One Everything,” “Number Two,” “High Five,” “Figure Eight,” “Pirate Girls Nine,” “One Dozen Monkeys,” and “Eight Hundred and Thirteen Mile Car Trip” along with other numerical inspirations such as “I Can Add” and “Even Numbers.” With twenty-seven tracks and twenty-four videos this disc set is filled with fun, lively entertainment for both parents and kids. The video content is ingenious – funky stop animation, puppets, and simple cutouts make a high visual impact. As with their adult albums, these songs are well crafted. Showcasing quick witty lyrics and an upbeat rhythm – they are both educational and entertaining; a win-win for everyone. Round out your listening experience and pair with companion albums Here Come the ABCs, which feature great songs such as “QU” and “LMNO” or Here Comes Science’s “Meet the Elements” and “Why Does the Sun Shine?” some of my personal favorites!

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this CD, you may like: Catch the Moon by Lisa Loeb, You Are My Little Bird by Elizabeth Mitchell or Jazz for Kids: Sing Clap Wiggle & Shake by various artists

Other albums by They Might Be Giants: Bed, Bed, Bed, Here Come the ABCs, Here Comes Science, and No!

I’m All Ears: Sing into Reading

Fran Avni (1999), 46:39 minutes

Audience: All ages

Format: CD

Twenty-three songs feature rhythmic beats and lyrics that teach children early literacy skills. Each song helps children develop reading readiness skills. For example rhyming techniques are used in “Name Game” (rhyme recognition) and “Good for You” (rhyme completion). Alliteration is featured in numerous songs including “Chugga choo choo,” “Lily,” and “One Wet Windy Wednesday.” Phonemic awareness (sound deletion, isolation, and blending) is highlighted in several songs such as “Pineapple,” “Topsy Turvy” and “Fiddle Around with the Middle Sound.” This CD makes learning educational and fun at the same time!

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this CD, you may like: Singing Sounds: Songs for Learning Early Speech Sounds

Other CDs by this artist: Little Ears: 27 Songs for Reading Readiness and Tuning Into Nature-Songs and Activities about the Earth

Dr. Seuss’s ABC

Dr. Seuss (1963), 63 pages

Audience: babies, toddlers

Format: board book

"BIG A, little a, what begins with A? Aunt Annie's alligator. A ... a .... a. BIG B, little b, what begins with B? Barber, baby, bubbles, and a bumblebee." This book is a great introduction to the alphabet, written almost entirely in alliterative words. Children are able to listen and gain letter awareness while being entertained by Seuss's wacky characters. A great introduction to the alphabet, even babies will enjoy the rhymes and children can practice making up their own amazing alphabet as they get older. Parents and educators can even download an iPhone eBook app for Dr Seuss’s ABCs!

Reviewed by: Katharine Quinn, SJSU MLIS Student

If you liked this book, you may like: The Z was Zapped: A Play in Twenty-Six Acts by Chris Van Allsburg

Other books by this author: One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish, The Cat in the Hat, and Horton Hears a Who!