Alphabet Rockers: Brings Hip Hop to Children's Music

I have four children - I know, that you know, but my husband some times STILL needs to be reminded - and we probably own ten times the amount of music tapes and discs.

I'd give you an accurate count, if I could, but they're ALL in my car and scattered throughout the house.

Last week, I received a package from the nice people at School Time Music.

"Oh, look, ANOTHER children's CD!"

For those of you who do NOT know, Thing Two had a terrible case of colic and did NOT sleep for the first 8 months after she was born.

[shiver]

Seriously, I was at my wit's end - nothing funny about a colicky kid - until, I figured out that strapping her into the car seat and driving her around town, while listening to [GULP] a freaky-looking dinosaur with the totally annoying voice WAS the only thing that would soothe the child!

Me?

[gag]

After listening to about two tracks, I wanted to shoot myself.

"Let's play it, Momma!"

Mini-me (she's 6) is my youngest and probably spent a large portion of her preschool years in the minivan, too.

"Go ahead and pop it in, then."

Because, I am a DORK and - you know, sort of break things - besides, kids are so far advanced these days, yes?

Listen up everybody this day is live!
Before we get into the mix
Let's get our bodies moving,
And sing along, for kicks!

Hey, wait a minute and what the...

"Momma, are you playing rap music!?!?"

I'm a little bit classical and Thing Two (formerly known as the colicky one) is totally hip hop.

"Boy, you go Miss Thang, that's DEF!"

If she means good, then yes - and I'd be lost without my Urban Dictionary - but, Alphabet Rockers is definitely a children's CD that even a parent (like me) can listen to.

This is the first of a series of cool children's CDs Former 4 Non Blondes drummer Dawn Richardson and Kaitlin McGaw, a Harvard graduate who also sings for Suite Love Express, partnered to write and produce.

My opinion - the concept of giving parents (and teachers) a fresh new way to introduce children to letters, words and numbers, combined with rhythm and rhyme - this cd is nothing less than BRILLIANT!

The downside - besides the fact that a 14-song CD just doesn't seem enough, NONE.

"The CD has a vibe of Salt n' Pepa, Run DMC and the Beastie Boys all rolled into fun for the classroom."

With that said, not only did these two artists create a fun new way of getting children interested in learning - heaven knows, The Boy could have used this - Dawn and Kaitlin ARE commanding educators' attention, worldwide and on the web, and HAVE sparked my interest in, you know, cool music!

For that, my children thank you ;o)

Alphabet Rockers is available at Amazon.com for $14.99.

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