CD: Rock All Day, Rock All Night by The Nields — $20
Folk music is still the go-to genre for children's tunes, and few modern singers do it better than the silver-voiced sister act of Nerissa and Katryna Nields. Their second children's album is actually two records in one: put on Disc 1 for energetic sing-along songs, then switch to Disc 2 for an enchanting selection of lullabies. The mixture of standards, charming original songs and modern classics was curated at the Nields' toddler music classes, but this album is thoroughly adult-friendly too, thanks to the complex harmonies and arrangements (not to mention a sense of humor).
All Ages.
Get it at Bulletproof Store.
We have a Nields CD to give away! Drop us a line at babblecontest@gmail.com with the subject line The Nields to win.
Video Game: LittleBigPlanet — $59.99
Despite an eleventh-hour shipping delay caused by controversy over its soundtrack's use of phrases from the Qur'an, Sony's most anticipated game of 2008 didn't lose any steam en route to store shelves. If you own neither a PS3 nor a hi-definition TV, LittleBigPlanet offers a compelling argument to purchase both: Amazingly simple to learn (think Mario Bros. on steroids), the game is an open invitation to explore, create and imagine within worlds whose depth and design will leave you spellbound.
Rated "E" for Everyone.
Get it at Amazon.
Book: The Lump of Coal by Lemony Snicket — $10.18
You can count on Lemony Snicket to bring a somber mood to your holiday celebration. While The Lump of Coal certainly brings the depression, it also leaves you warm and maybe even fuzzy by the smudgy end. Because, as Snicket's holiday tale tells (warns?), "Miracles are like pimples, because once you start looking for them you find more than you ever dreamed you'd see..."
Ages 3 and up.
Get it at Amazon.
DVD: Peanuts Holiday Collection — $29.99
We never tire of seeing Charlie Brown gaze down at his little tree, defeated. Or Linus willing the Great Pumpkin to show up even when it's clear he doesn't even believe it anymore himself. This Deluxe Peanuts Holiday Collection on DVD will warm your melancholy heart this holiday season with A Charlie Brown Christmas, A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and It's The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. Sharing the trials and tribulations of the Red Baron with your kiddos will be your newest holiday tradition.
Ages 2 and up.
Get it at Amazon.
We have a DVD set to give away! Drop us a line at babblecontest@gmail.com with the subject line Charlie Brown to win.
Gift Set: Putumayo Kids CDs — $14.95-$15.98
Who needs foreign language immersion when you can put on a CD from Putumayo and experience global harmony? We like the ukuleles of Hawaiian Playground, the international education from Sesame Street Playground, the soothing rhythms of African Dreamland and of course, the holiday season would not be as festive without A Jazz & Blues Christmas. Wrap them up together and give your children the world.
All Ages.
Get it at Putumayo.
We have a set of these four Putumayo CDs to give away! Drop us a line at babblecontest@gmail.com with the subject line Putumayo Kids to win.