Mama's Lullaby: Lullabies Sung By Women Around the World

Mama's Lullaby: Lullabies Sung By Women Around the World. Roslyn, NY: Ellipsis Arts, 2001.

This CD collects traditional and contemporary lullabies in many languages from countries across the globe including Malta, Wales, Brazil, the Ukraine, Italy, the US, Zimbabwe, and Japan. The songs are by turns haunting, comforting and playful, but each is recognizable as a lullaby by its slower tempo and lulling melody. The muscial forms are as diverse as the languages, ranging from jazz to waltz to bossa. The liner notes include lyrics in the original language as well as an English translation; they also provide excellent background information about the singer, the cultural traditions of the lullaby within that featured culture or country, and the story of the song itself.

Mrs. Moon: Lullabies for Babies

Beaton, Clair. Mrs. Moon: Lullabies for Babies. Cambridge, MA: Barefoot Books, 2003.

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Clair Beaton's intricate textile illustrations in felt, antique fabrics, buttons and embroidery form the backdrop for lyrics to traditional lullabies and bed-time poetry. Half way between a book and a finely crafted quilt, Mrs. Moon will delight parents and caregivers while providing an invaluable resource for learning and sharing bedtime music with the whole family. The accompanying CD features recordings of these songs and poems by Dana Kletter, and is perfect for learning melodies or drifting off into dreamland.

Knock at the Door

Chorao, Kay Sproat. Knock at the door: and other baby action rhymes. New York: Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers, 1999.

This book of baby action rhymes is perfect for parents and caregivers wanting to bond with infants. The illustrations are whimsical and sweet, but the most useful part will probably be the simply drawn diagrams alongside each line which clearly indicate how to bounce, tickle, pat and clap along.

Here Comes Mother Goose

Opie, Iona (Ed.). Here comes Mother Goose. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press, 1999.

Edited by one of the foremost scholars of nursery rhymes, this beautifully illustrated collection celebrates an honoured tradition and re-introduces Mother Goose to a new generation of parents and families. Rosemary Wells' watercolour and ink paintings feature a host of endearing animal characters and children who breathe new life into even the most familiar of the rhymes.

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If You're Happy and You Know It

Cabrera, Jane. If you're happy and you know it. New York: Holiday House, 2003.

Based on one of the all-time favourite children's songs, this sing-along picture book features bright, bold playful paintings of animals with large faces and dark outlines that will appeal to infants and toddlers. Infants will enjoy listening to the song and hearing the animal noises; slightly older children will have fun clapping, stamping, flapping and roaring along. If you're happy and you know it, read this book!

[assignment: write a blurb]