This colorfully nostalgic animated alphabet journey pairs each letter with playful characters, objects and everyday scenes as children move from A to Z through music and rhyme. Written by Naomi and J. Turner Wainwright; artwork by Larry Ruppert.
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This colorfully nostalgic animated alphabet journey pairs each letter with playful characters, objects and everyday scenes as children move from A to Z through music and rhyme. Written by Naomi and J. Turner Wainwright; artwork by Larry Ruppert.
With a repetitive melody it is important to change it up subtlety in performance. This song accomplishes this. It seems that AI has been used to some degree in the musical part. I can't tell you about the animation, but the integrity is satisfying. The images and overall presentation is charming. It follows the alphabet from A to Z with perfect continuity including funny lines and throwback images for each letter. The quality is consistently well done and is absolutely perfect for the target audience. The throwback images harken to a 'better' time and "make the alphabet great again." The music production values, including vocals and simple instrumentation are spot-on.
The story behind the song, however, is what makes this particular journey through the alphabet something special. Its creator began singing it to his daughter, Hunter, when she was a toddler, buckled into her seat. Hunter passed away in May of this year, and completing the song and music video fulfills an objective father and daughter began together many years ago. Knowing that doesn't change what we hear and see, but it certainly gives us another reason to listen.
The lyrics are simple and repetitive, as you would expect from a song intended for young children. Frogs swim in a pond, horses gallop across the land, ice cream melts on a hand, and Grandma's quilt keeps somebody warm. The repetition helps children make the connection between a letter, a word and the familiar world around them.
The accompanying video is an important part of the package. Colorful illustrations reminiscent of vintage children's primers and storybooks are gently animated as the song moves through the alphabet. Children don't just hear that A is for apple; they see it. It's a simple idea, and for the intended audience, an effective one. And just when you think you know exactly where this alphabet is going, we finally reach Z - "Z is for zipper on the front of my pants and when I cannot get it down I do a little dance." After 25 letters of good behavior, the alphabet earns itself a punch line.
Baby Hunter's New ABC Song doesn't reinvent the ABC song, nor does it need to. They will learn their alphabet. It's simple, colorful and easy for young children to follow. More importantly, something that began many years ago with a father singing to his little girl has finally been completed. Sometimes finishing the song is the most important part. Plus, kids may want to sing along with the recording and recite the verses (letters) with their parents.
I give Baby Hunter's New ABC Song 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 2 to 5. It is available to stream now.
By John Wood, KIDS FIRST! Music Specialist
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