Good Media
CDs to Nurture Our Children During Summer Travels
Andrea Rock, contributing editor
My goodness, time does fly! Before we know it, school will be out, and families will hit the road for summer vacations. There is a vast selection of music and books available on CD or in MP3 format that might nurture our children during those sometimes long, boring drives. They can be found on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kids CDs.org, Here are but a few that you might consider:
101 Toddler Favorite Hit Songs, by various artists, including most of the favorites we think of for little ones.
123 Favorite Bible Songs
With more than 3 hours of music, this is collection of lively hymns, uplifting Bible songs and favorite Sunday school music for children, sung by kids and adults. Includes instrumental songs as well.
123 Favorite Kids Songs
Songs about make-believe characters, tunes that encourage singing and dancing.
Preschool Favorite Songs
First Nursery Rhymes And Sing Along Fun For Tiny Tots
A collection of children's music to help preschoolers learn their ABCs, numbers and much more. Love of music starts at an early age and is a fun and exciting way to introduce them to the wonderful world of learning.
African Lullaby, by a variety of artists, includes wonderful songs that parents and kids love. Some parents use the music at naptime, and some parents found the songs too upbeat to be a sleep aid.
Lullaby, a Collection, is another mix of soothing songs for little ones.
Singable Songs for the Very Young: Great with a Peanut Butter Sandwich, Singable Song Collection, Baby Beluga, and many more by beloved troubadour, Raffi.
Still the Same Me, by Sweet Honey and the Rock. Soulful, sing-along music for kids that adults also will love. Using only voices and percussion instruments, Sweet Honey includes songs encouraging participation in improvisation. Notes provide background information about the music, as well as personal interviews with the artists.
All Together Singing In The Kitchen is a marvelous collection of songs by the veteran folk-singing sisters, Nerissa and Katryna Nields.
Gift Of The Tortoise: A Musical Journey Through Southern Africa Ladysmith Black Mambazo. A musical and storytelling journey through Africa
Books on CD
For slightly older children you might consider books on tape. There is a Roald Dahl collection with five of his classics: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach, Fantastic Mr. Fox, The Enormous Crocodile, and The Magic Finger.
Charlotte’s Web: the favorite, classic story of the pig named Wilbur and the wise spider named Charlotte. This unabridged edition is read by the author himself.
By famed author Christopher Paul Curtis, there are:
Bud, Not Buddy, is the story of a little boy during the Depression who proves that having a dream and working hard can allow anyone to rise above humble beginnings. Winner of the Newberry and Coretta Scott King awards.
The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963, narrated by LeVar Burton, is also a Newberry award winner.
Maniac McGee read by author Jerry Spinelli and S. Epatha Merkerson. An uplifting story of a boy whose parents die, leaving him homeless. He sets off to find a new family, and in the process, shows how to bridge the gap between different kinds of people.
There are far too many options for us today—what a joy to have so many choices for family-friendly listening! May these and many more offer spiritual nourishment to you and you family this summer!
