Quality Children's Entertainment Family Movie Reviews

Archive for the 'Audio' Category

Doctor Noize – 1-2-3-4-5-6-7 A Song * More Than A Children’s Song, A Sly, Joyous Tutorial Of Songbuilding

Thursday, November 6th, 2025

Doctor Noize’s latest song and music video is all about how to write a song! Watch the pure joy kids get from learning about song structure featuring the world’s coolest orchestras. The music, lyrics and orchestration by Doctor Noize Recording are performed by Doctor Noize, Anton Schwartz, the Colorado Children’s Chorale and the City Of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra. The single is off of his upcoming retrospective album Positive Energy! 1-2-3-4-5-6-7 A Song is shared alongside a purely warm fuzzy nostalgia music video by acclaimed director Sidney Cullinan and features footage from 15+ years of Doctor Noize shows and recordings. Doctor Noize confides, “This video is like a big love letter to the people I have had the privilege of recording and performing for and with.”

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Ilana O. comments, “1-2-3-4-5-6-7 A Song is an educational and engaging music video that breaks down the basic fundamentals of music theory to a simpler level. The video has great production value due to the featured collaborations and rich layers of instrumentation that allow for the song to be lighthearted and upbeat!” Zoe C. adds, “I especially love how Dr. Noise invites children into the music through the large choruses. While his voice guides the verses, the children’s voices unite in the choruses highlighting the collaboration and creativity coming together.” KIDS FIRST! Music Critic, John Wood, adds, “On the surface this is a children’s song — bright, bouncy, fun for car-rides. But peel back the confetti and you’ll discover it’s far more: a sly, joyous tutorial in how songs are built, disguised in the kind of melody that has kids tapping their feet and adults nodding along with satisfaction.” See their full reviews below.

Doctor Noize – 1-2-3-4-5-6-7 A Song A Song
By Ilana O., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 18

1-2-3-4-5-6-7 A Song is an educational and engaging music video that breaks down the basic fundamentals of music theory to a simpler level. The video has great production value due to the featured collaborations and rich layers of instrumentation that allow for the song to be lighthearted and upbeat!

Although the target audience may not all be musically-inclined, the song acts as a gateway to inspire a new generation of young, aspiring artists who don’t know where to begin. It reviews integral aspects of music theory, such as the bridge, chorus, verse, and similar. Due to its repetitive nature, and easy-to-remember lyrics, it acts as an effective tool for young ones to grasp what comprises the music they listen to. Besides this, the video features nostalgic clips that fans may recognize from Doctor Noize’s earlier music career, to the present.

Doctor Noize, who is the lead singer, delivers an amusing, pitch-perfect performance while infusing educational value into the music.

His collaboration with the Colorado Children’s Chorale and the City Of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra are what make his music feel complete, as it contributes to the climax of the song. At the beginning, the song starts off bare, and then as it progresses, there is more buildup in the instrumentation and vocals from the choir. The saxophone, which is the most soloistic, adds elements of jazz, creating variety among the range of sounds that are heard. From a technical standpoint, the video execution is also well done, as it contains a unique element of contrasting effects, based on the way it was edited.

 

In other words, the structure of the video constantly alternates between Doctor Noize’s past and present career, portraying juxtaposition. Whenever clips from his past performances are shown, they are followed by clips from the present-day that depict him reflecting upon the glory days of the past while singing in an empty theatre. To older viewers who grew up with his music, this subtle nuance is what makes it far from being a simple song about music theory. Instead, it is more like a love-letter to the fans.

The song conveys the message of how music is universal in a sense. This is seen through the clips that alternate between different performance venues, containing young audience members from all over becoming united with his tunes. Also, it proves that if you understand the structure of what makes up a song, the listening experience is more fulfilling.

I give 1-2-3-4-5-6-7 A Song 4.0 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12. 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 A Song is available on all major music platforms now.

1-2-3-4-5-6-7 A Song
By Zoë C., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 17

1-2-3-4-5-6-7 A Song, written by Doctor Noize, cleverly teaches children how to write a song by turning the process into music itself. It’s an immersive and educational, yet incredibly fun track that celebrates the beauty and joy of songwriting and what it means to compose a song.

Doctor Noize breaks down the structure of songwriting, describing when verses and choruses appear by crafting a song around this formula.

What makes this song stand out is its warmth and creativity. The orchestral arrangement, paired with a chorus of children’s voices, creates a sense of inclusivity and excitement. As someone who has written songs before, I found this approach not only adorable but also inspiring. It gives young listeners a chance to see how songwriting works while feeling like they’re part of the process.

I especially love how Dr. Noise invites children into the music through the large choruses. While his voice guides the verses, the children’s voices unite in the choruses highlighting the collaboration and creativity coming together.

The simplicity of the chords and the clarity of the message make it both accessible and empowering. It leaves a blank canvas for kids to fill with their own stories and melodies, encouraging imagination and self-expression. The tone of the song is joyful and uplifting, filled with an energy that makes learning feel effortless. Even though it’s written for children, there’s a sophistication in how Dr. Noise blends education with entertainment. The melody sticks in your head, but so does the message: anyone can create music if they’re willing to try.

All this makes 1-2-3-4-5-6-7 A Song a charming and meaningful piece that transforms music education into a joyful, creative experience. It’s a perfect introduction to songwriting for young listeners, and a reminder that music is something everyone can create. That message, presented with such positivity, can inspire not just children but anyone who’s ever doubted their creativity.

I give 1-2-3-4-5-6-7 A Song 5 out of 5 stars and would recommend it for ages 5 to 12. It is available now on streaming music platforms so check it out.

1-2-3-4-5-6-7 A Song
By John Wood, KIDS FIRST! Music Critic

1-2-3-4-5-6-7 A Song showcases a clinic in bringing together a variety of disciplines to accomplish an artist retrospective wrapped up in a teachable song moment. When you are given practical tools to write your own songs, I would imagine follow up workshops would be a blast.

On the surface this is a children’s song — bright, bouncy, fun for car-rides. But peel back the confetti and you’ll discover it’s far more: a sly, joyous tutorial in how songs are built, disguised in the kind of melody that has kids tapping their feet and adults nodding along with satisfaction.

What sets this apart? First, the scale — Doctor Noize doesn’t shy away from orchestral ambition: the participation of the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, the Colorado Children’s Chorale and jazz saxophonist Anton Schwartz add texture, depth and a genuine “big stage” feel. Trust me, when you hear the swell of the strings and then the children’s chorus jump in—you realize this isn’t kids’ music cut from the usual cloth.

Yet, Doctor Noize balances it with approachability. The concept is smart, but inclusive: counting one through seven becomes a map of song-sections (verse, chorus, bridge, etc.). Kids pick up the rhythm; parents pick up the structure, and everyone leaves humming something they didn’t know they’d learned. It’s sneak-syllabus: art plus edutainment without the scare-quotes. This seasoned artist definitely knows his audience and leads the proceedings like a pied piper maestro.

Production-wise this is crisp, exuberant, and lively. You hear the energy of the children’s voices, the richness of the orchestra, and just enough jazz flourishes to keep it fresh. The key change? The hook? The moment when everything clicks? It’s there, and it’s satisfying. The structure is sound, no pun intended, because he outlines from 1 to 7 the structure of writing a song.

And then there’s the birthday release angle: dropping such a song on the artist’s own birthday (October 30) gives it a little extra sparkle — like a party you’re invited to whether you know it or not.

If I were to pick a minor note — in the sea of children’s music, ambitious cross-genre pieces still run the risk of “too big” for little ears — so my guess is the song’s success will lean heavily on how the arrangements support repetition and accessibility. But in this case, Doctor Noize seems more than up for the job.

Verdict: “1-2-3-4-5-6-7 A Song” isn’t just another counting tune — it’s a milestone in kids’ music; it’s intelligent, fun, and fully produced. It’s the kind of song that makes you want to press replay in the car, let the chorus buzz through the house, and maybe, just maybe, you find yourself tapping along, picking up something you didn’t know you were learning. I highly recommend this. It is a music video retrospective of the artist’s career through music and song.

I give 1-2-3-4-5-6-7 A Song 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12.

Share this page on:

Party Time with Patrick * Catchy Lyrics, Goofy Topics, Enjoyable To Listen To

Thursday, September 11th, 2025

Party Time with Patrick is an album for kids and families that celebrate fun things in life like birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, summer, holidays and more. Upbeat and fun, this album is meant to make you smile and sing along.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Eli C. comments, “I really like the album Party Time With Patrick because the lyrics are super catchy, the topics are goofy, and the songs are enjoyable to listen to. The instrumentals are especially noteworthy.” KIDS FIRST! Music Critic, John Wood adds, “On first listen, I was not a fan of Party Time With Patrick. The frenetic, in-your-face vocals and relentless bounce of the music were off-putting to my dainty musical tastes. But in fairness, first impressions can be deceiving. So I did what any fair-minded reviewer does: I stepped back, looked to the margins, opened the blinders, and gave the whole thing a poke with a stick. And wouldn’t you know it—it moved. It jumped. It danced. It sang like it was having fun.” See their full reviews below.

Party Time With Patrick
By Eli C., KIDS FIRST Film Critic, age 10

I really like the album Party Time With Patrick because the lyrics are super catchy, the topics are goofy, and the songs are enjoyable to listen to. The instrumentals are especially noteworthy.

Party Time With Patrick is a 30 minute pop and rock album by Patrick Adams. In each of the 10 fun songs, he celebrates a different special occasion in both a digestible and danceable way, wonderfully mixing pop and rock in songs like Graduation Days, Champions, Birthday Bash, and more. This upbeat album is meant for kids and parents alike to jam out to and definitely made me get up and dance to its great melodies.

I could certainly see some of these songs making it to a kid’s birthday party. Its catchy and fun tunes are more appropriate to kids younger than me and I imagine they would be moving and singing along to the music.

The songs have a 1990s to early 2000s vibe, which might give some parents a bit of nostalgia. The instrumentals are my favorite part of each song. Props to Erik Gatchalian, who provides instrumentals for this album. He really works his magic and gives the songs that professional feel. However, at times it seems that the vocals and the instrumentals don’t mix all that well. Note that this album focuses primarily on fun topics. My favorite song is Champions because both the instrumentals and vocals really shine.

The album sends the message to always celebrate special and important occasions as much and as many times as you can.

I give Party Time With Patrick 3 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 8. It is available at online music retailers now.

Party Time With Patric
By John Wood, KIDS FIRST! Music Critic

On first listen, I was not a fan of Party Time With Patrick. The frenetic, in-your-face vocals and relentless bounce of the music were off-putting to my dainty musical tastes. Imagine a marching band colliding with a sugar rush, and you’ll have the general idea. But in fairness, first impressions can be deceiving. So I did what any fair-minded reviewer does: I stepped back, looked to the margins, opened the blinders, and gave the whole thing a poke with a stick.

And wouldn’t you know it—it moved. It jumped. It danced. It sang like it was having fun. Whatever my reservations, the music is varied, well-played, and professionally produced. The lyrics, while not my brand of poetry, have a democratic charm: they practically call out to a kid, “Hey—you could write a song too!” And that’s not nothing. Encouraging creativity is always a win.

The album’s theme is celebrations—holidays of all shapes, sizes, and calendars. If you’ve ever thought, “We should throw a parade for Arbor Day,” Patrick’s your guy. It’s about year-round license to let your hair down (or up, or sideways—free country). It’s a rousing, rip-roaring sing-a-long of yearly celebrations from birthdays to New Years.

There’s something admirable about taking every excuse to party, even if your idea of a wild time is cake for breakfast. Now, here’s the rub: I’m not sold on Patrick’s singing and the lyrics didn’t resonate with me. And yet, somehow, the whole contraption keeps chugging along and there are some very strong instrumentals, clever production and performances here.  Making any children’s album is a feat of logistics, heart, and caffeine, and on that front, Patrick delivers. Whether or not you want to hop aboard the Patrick Train—that’s your call.

Me? I can lead a horse to water, but I can’t make it sing along. That’s why I use a pen instead of a pencil—less erasing, more committing.

So, here’s my advice: give it a listen and decide for yourself. Maybe you’ll dance. Maybe you’ll wince. Maybe you’ll end up somewhere in between, tapping your foot in spite of yourself. Either way, it’s a party, and Patrick has already passed out the noisemakers.

If its purpose is to create some fun, encourage kids to participate and dance along, then that’s been achieved. The content is appropriate for its target audience – it’s loud, has a kid’s mosh pit vibe – if there is such a thing. As to whether it will stick over repeated play that is debatable.

I give Party Time with Patrick 3 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 8. It is available now at online retailers.

Share this page on:

Andy Z – My Voice * A Musical Gift For Your Child – Expertly Conceived And Performed

Saturday, August 23rd, 2025

The eighth album by award-winning children’s music artist Andy Z is brimming with fervor, fun, and sincerity. It features a well-balanced mix of stand-out original songs and kids’ classics ranging from lighthearted to heartfelt, playful to deeply thoughtful.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic IvyJoy C. comments, “I like Andy Z – My Voice because it’s fun, playful and …will have your little ones laughing, singing, jumping, and dancing. Hadley B. adds, “I like the music album Andy Z – My Voice because it’s upbeat, engaging and gets you moving. I love that there are a variety of different instruments played in every song …” Ilana O. adds, “Andy Z – My Voice is a family-friendly album that features a plethora of tracks that help inspire, educate, and entertain young children. The humorous and engaging lyrics, the sound quality of the instruments, and the variety of tones are what make this album worth listening to!” John Wood, KIDS FIRST! Adult Music Critic says, “The music in Andy Z – My Voice covers a variety of upbeat danceable tunes and insightful lyrics. This album is a musical gift for your child – expertly conceived and performed.” See their full reviews below.

Andy Z – My Voice
IvyJoy C., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12

I like Andy Z – My Voice because it’s fun, playful and some of the songs have an underlying message.

This is the eighth album by award winning artist, Andy Z. Its 16 songs offer a variety of genres, from jazz to soft rock — including “Song For My Baby,” “Flutter Flutter, Butterfly,” and “Mariposa Vuela” — a collaboration with PBS Kids, and more. Andy Z is beloved in the children’s music community for his commitment to fun and sincere songs that are a well-balanced mix of kids’ classics and original tunes ranging from lighthearted to heartfelt, playful to deeply thoughtful – a hallmark of Andy’s body of work that spans over two decades.

This album will have your little ones laughing, singing, jumping, and dancing – it’s a great way to get your kids up and running in the mornings. I have a three-year-old nephew and I would certainly have him singing along to its catchy lyrics. The atmosphere of the music is lighthearted, kid-friendly, and all around goofy. Kudos to Andy Z for hitting his target audience perfectly. The song quality and production are terrific. Even though this album is targeted for younger children, I found myself nodding my head to the beat and humming the tunes at times. Its continuity is right on – the lyrics go perfectly with the instrumentals and portray the silliness of his songs very nicely.

Andy Z’s vocals are amazing; he enunciates clearly and uses language that young children are familiar with.  He really makes sure that the listener understands what he’s saying. Also, the recording quality is outstanding; there is no static or background noise. The variety of genres is noteworthy. I love how he mixes in multiple genres like jazz for “Song For My Baby” and soft rock in “Buzzabee.” In addition, Andy Z’s way of creating ear-wormy tunes and fun lyrics, some of the songs in this album are deeper than you think. For example, in “My Voice” he references the beauty of free speech, and in “It’s Not Your Fault” he explains that not everything that happens to you is your fault. This album is by far one of the best children’s albums I am aware of.  My favorite song is the one about the tipping boat, because it really shows Andy Z’s fun lyricism.

The album’s messages convey fun and entertainment, with some deeper messages that sneak up on you.

I give Andy Z – My Voice 5 out 5 five stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 8. You can find it at online retailers beginning August 29, 2025.

Andy Z – My Voice
Hadley B, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 10

I like the music album Andy Z – My Voice because it’s upbeat, engaging and gets you moving. I love that there are a variety of different instruments played in every song and, even though it gets a little silly at times, I think younger kids will love it.

This album is a collection of tunes performed by renowned artist, Andy Z. It has a bunch of different types of songs – familiar songs, happy songs, slow songs, silly songs and more! This album also has great guitar licks, and some nice percussion work that help tell the stories. I like how Andy never does two songs about the same topic. It makes each song special and notable.

One thing that stands out to me most on this album is definitely the sound of the guitar. It is very bright, unique, appealing and doesn’t sound like most songs you hear on other albums or the radio. The lovely harmonies also stand out. They aren’t like others, which is what sets it apart.

Also, something that is fun and captivating on the album is having kids join Andy Z on various songs. One of the most exciting things is that there are some songs that kids may recognize and be excited to hear his interpretation of a familiar tune. I like how at the end of the soundtrack it settles kids down to get ready for bed and go to sleep. I actually think I prefer the instrumentation and background music better than the actual lyrics and I didn’t particularly care for some of the songs. One of the other things I really like is how Andy Z takes a silly subject and turns it into an interesting, catchy song. It’s memorable to me, and I think it is very amazing to be able to do that. There is also a special collaboration with the 123 Andres, and they sing “Flutter Flutter Butterfly” in Spanish, which is really cool.

The messages in this album theme are all very positive, encouraging and uplifting. It’s a reminder of the good side of life.

I give Andy Z – My Voice 4 out of 5 stars, and I recommend it for ages 2 to 8. You can find it at online music retailers beginning August 29, 2025.

Andy Z – My Voice
By Ilana O., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 17

Andy Z – My Voice is a family-friendly music album that features a plethora of tracks that help inspire, educate, and entertain young children. The humorous and engaging lyrics, the sound quality of the instruments, and the variety of tones are what make this album worth listening to!

The album interestingly features a mix of heartfelt songs, immersive audio stories, modern takes inspired by older classics, and educational songs that help instill good values for the younger generation and boost imagination. The album expresses a diverse range of moods suitable for different occasions that can resonate with young children from different walks of life. In addition, most of the songs are influenced by styles that aren’t often commonly put together in a singular album, which contributes to its unique lineup.

Andy Zamenes (aka Andy Z), the lead singer of this album, delivers strong and impactful performances. From a musical point of view, the recordings of every vocal and instrumental part are very clean and polished and Andy Z’s voice sounds pitch-perfect.
Vocal expression is abundant, and his diction allows for the lyrics to be heard with clarity. In addition, every song utilizes a wide range of dynamics. The lullabies like “Song For My Baby” and “Lullaby” demonstrate Andy Z’s ability to modulate his voice to a softer pianissimo dynamic, while maintaining clarity in his enunciation. Much livelier tracks like “Five Green Speckled Frogs” are very humorous, which provides a stark contrast in tone and expression to the more reverberative songs like “It’s Not Your Fault.” On the other hand, the structure of the album and the random organization causes a bit of a lack of continuity. While the order of the songs may feel somewhat scattered and thematically different, Andy Z pays a meaningful tribute to the different styles of music, from original compositions to revamped classics.

The album’s messages have a variety of educational aspects and emotional support intertwined. For instance, “Apples” promotes healthy eating and “Good Morning” teaches children good manners. In contrast, some songs like “It’s Not Your Fault” carry a deeper message that many kids can resonate with about the harsh reality of bullies and how to navigate that.

I give Andy Z – My Voice 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 8. It will be available on all major music platforms on August 29, 2025.

Andy Z – My Voice
By John Wood, KIDS FIRST! Adult reviewer

The music in Andy Z – My Voice covers a variety of upbeat danceable tunes and insightful lyrics. This album is a musical gift for your child – expertly conceived and performed.

Andy Z’s lovely new album My Voice dives headfirst into the joy of being a kid—a sensory feast of upbeat, danceable tunes that make sitting still nearly impossible. (I’m pretty sure I saw my cat dancing.)

Andy’s years on stage shine through. His vocals, harmonies, and instrumental choices are all spot-on. Experience counts—and so does pacing. He knows exactly how to grab a live audience from the first downbeat and keep that energy humming for listeners at home. That’s the mark of a true pro who clearly loves what he’s doing. One can tell when a performer is ‘seasoned’ from countless live shows where songs have an opportunity to grow and engage with a variety of children and environments.

After eight albums, Andy Z keeps honing his craft and this album is a result of his dedication to his music and continued development of his personal ‘voice.’

Andy Z’s recordings draw on a variety of familiar musical styles, great vocals and expert production work or values. The best way for someone to listen and share is by feeding them. To follow that analogy, this album offers a musical feast for the ears and we learn things we didn’t know and are eager to share with others. The artist doesn’t preach or talk down to his audience. Individually we are made up of a bundle of stories.

As we share, as Andy Z has done, with this album, My Voice, we hope that our many years of experience and awareness will transpose and touch the hearts of many others. This album does exactly that.Why is My Voice a KIDS FIRST! All-Star? After more than 8,000 live performances in every imaginable setting and climate, I can say, “It takes one to know one.” Andy’s a kindred spirit with an irresistible appeal to kids—and, yes, parents too. They’ll grin at the familiar riffs and nod knowingly. (I suspect he knows more than four chords.) Like the Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper or Magical Mystery Tour, Andy invites us into his world—full of musical colors, funny voices, and whimsical twists—guiding his audience on a magical journey and bringing them back safe, sound, and a little richer for the ride. Andy Z hits all the right notes—and a few delightfully unexpected ones—reminding us that the best music for kids is music everyone loves. We’ll be sitting by the headsets waiting for your next album, so don’t wait too long. Catch you on the flip side!

I give Andy Z – My Voice 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 2 to 8, plus adults. It is available now at online retailers and streaming. Check it out.

Share this page on:

Au Zoo: French Learning Songs * I love this CD. It’s so amusing and entertaining I forgot I was learning French!

Thursday, October 24th, 2024

This lively musical introduction to French invites kids to dance and sing along to playful rhythms from reggae, merengue, and blues to African soukous, country, and more. The album enhances children’s language skills as they embark on a musical journey to the zoo filled with French-learning fun!

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Junior R. comments, “Singing and dancing? Sign me up! Wait, and you learn French at the same time. I love this CD. It is amusing, enjoyable, and entertaining. I was having so much fun that I forgot I was learning French at the same time.” Josephine K. adds, “This CD is excellent! All the songs are fun and well written. The lyrics include a lot of beginning French words, and the music uses multiple genres. Everything is designed to help beginning French language students learn vocabulary and pronunciation.” Zoey F. wraps it up with, “Au Zoo: French Learning Songs reminds us that learning a new language can be fun. With a playlist like the one here, it makes it much easier and enjoyable to learn French.” See their full reviews below.

Au Zoo (At The Zoo): French Learning Songs
By Junior R., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic age 10

Singing and dancing? Sign me up! Wait, and you learn French at the same time. I love Au Zoo (At the Zoo): French Learning Songs CD. It is amusing, enjoyable, and entertaining. I was having so much fun that I forgot I was learning French at the same time. As soon as the music started, I was up on my feet and didn’t sit down until the entire CD was over.

This CD takes listeners on a journey through a zoo, concentrating on different animals found there like lions, flamingos, ostriches, giraffes, and monkeys, while learning to speak French. Each song has its own concept which acts as a mini-lesson. The songs introduce and repeat vocabulary, building language skills bit by bit.

The appealing thing about this CD is the creative lyrics and the fun, upbeat music. I was humming along to every song. I also appreciated the animal noises and sound effects, especially the lion’s ferocious roar! The music provides a solid, creative avenue for students; they won’t even know they are learning because the songs take the hard work out of learning a new language. Besides animals, the songs focus on holidays, back to school, the alphabet, and dancing – all familiar things for young kids. The animal theme also emphasizes an appreciation for nature and animals and learning a new language promotes an accepting other cultures and languages.

Included are 20 quirky, fun, and vibrant songs. Artist, Didier Prossaird, has exquisitely mixed an instrumental element with lyrics and lively background noises. I truly felt that I was on a safari at one point! They are all easy to sing along to and remember. I immediately recognized some, such as The Itsy Bitsy Spider. All the lyrics help beginning students learn and understand the French language. It didn’t take me long to sing along to most of the songs. Besides the animal songs, songs like Your Birthday, Happy Father’s, Happy Valentine’s Day, and Happy Back to School are included as well. My favorite songs are My Donkey, Have You Seen Fritzi, and Move and Dance. My Donkey is a silly song about a sick donkey that gets a lot of items from the doctor to feel better. Have You Seen Frizti has a memorable tune that I really enjoyed. Move and Dance made me want to move and dance!  Although the songs are geared toward younger children, I was completely engaged and wanting more. Whether you’re a young kid or just someone who loves animals and music, this CD makes learning French enjoyable.

I give Au Zoo (At the Zoo): French Learning Songs 5 out of 5 étoiles (that’s French for stars!) and recommend it for ages 2 to 12, plus adults. It is available now at online retailers.

Au Zoo French Learning Songs
By Josephine K., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12

The Au Zoo French Learning Songs CD is an entertaining and creative way to teach the French language to beginners. I enjoyed the wide selection of songs from a variety of genres and found this CD enjoyable from start to finish.

This language learning program teaches children how to speak French at an early age. It has a wide selection of songs about animals from the zoo, foods, and holidays throughout the year, like Father’s Day, Valentine’s Day, and even the start of school! It uses storytelling and repetition to help listeners learn the language.

This CD is excellent! All the songs are fun and well written. The lyrics include a lot of beginning French words, and the music uses multiple genres. Everything is designed to help beginning French language students learn vocabulary and pronunciation. My favorite song is La Tortue a Faim, which means The Hungry Turtle, and is about a turtle trying to get across a yard. It is extremely catchy and creative, plus it is very educational and has lots of action words and adverbs. This song uses a lot of repetition as well as call and response methods. The singers are quite talented and have very melodic voices that are a pleasure to listen to. The music includes many different instruments, as well as scatting and whistling which fit the songs perfectly and makes them unforgettable. Many of the songs feature children’s voices, which is great representation for the target audiences and makes the songs even more relatable

The CD’s purpose is to teach children how to speak beginning French at a young age. It definitely hits the mark for its educational impact while delivering fun and entertaining music.

I give The Au Zoo Learning Songs 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 8. It is available now through online retailers so look for it.

Au Zoo (At The Zoo) – French Learning Songs
Zoey F. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12

I really like the new Au Zoo: French Learning Songs CD! It has catchy beats that are appealing to young kids and includes new and remade classics that make learning a new language a wonderful experience!

Au Zoo: French Learning Songs is a new immersive language learning CD from Whistlefritz! It uses fun songs, skits, and more to teach kids a new language – French! This CD helps kids learn French with catchy beats and simple lyrics that are easy to learn. The artist, Didier Prossaird, uses his diverse background to influence his music.
My favorite songs are Pour Faire Une Chanson and L’araignée Gypsy. Pour Faire Une Chanson is a song instructing kids about the joy of singing. I love it because the children’s vocals sung by Laura Prossaird make the mood of the song very warm and natural. She makes the children’s vocals imperfect, just as a child would sound singing it. L’araignée Gypsy is a French rendition of The Itsy-Bitsy Spider. It is a bit simpler than the other songs, and still a good song. For kids from an English-speaking country learning French a classic like this would be extremely helpful. Prossaird includes catchy rhythms from a variety of genres — reggae, African soukous, and country music. His rendition of these songs is what makes his songs so enjoyable, even for older kids.

Au Zoo: French Learning Songs reminds us that learning a new language can be fun. With a playlist like the one here, it makes it much easier and enjoyable to learn French.

I give the Au Zoo: French Learning Songs CD 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12. It is available now through online retailers so look for it.

Share this page on:

Imagination Time with Patrick * Up-Beat Album Combining Oddities Like Zombies And Ballerinas To Create An Adventure That Keeps Kids Guessing

Tuesday, July 16th, 2024

My new album of fun, silly, imaginative and empowering songs for kids, tackling topics such as hairless werewolves, fluffy dinosaurs, zombie ballerinas and much more!

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Braedyn M. comments, “Imagination Time with Patrick is an up-beat and peppy musical album, combining topics such as zombies and ballerinas to create an adventure that keeps kids guessing, ‘What’s next?’ Made by children’s musician and author Patrick Adams, this goofy collection of songs is designed to spark imagination in kids, and keep them active.”  Kinsley H. adds, “Imagination Time with Patrick has youthful songs that are full of unexpected lyrics. All of the music involves silly topics like the song “Purple Pepperoni Pizza.” This is my favorite song, and it reminds me a lot of Sheb Wooley’s “Purple People Eater.” The words are catchy and easy to remember. I can totally see little kids being inspired to try to order purple food!” See their full reviews below.  

Imagination Time with Patrick
By Braedyn M., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 15

Imagination Time with Patrick is an up-beat and peppy musical album, combining topics such as zombies and ballerinas to create an adventure that keeps kids guessing, “What’s next?”

Made by children’s musician and author Patrick Adams, this goofy collection of songs is designed to spark imagination in kids, and keep them active.  It wonderfully showcases what you can do with a bit of creativity, and loads of fun. It takes kids on a journey from the Milky Way, to an underwater airplane, and wherever they can think of.

These songs are definitely a fun experience!  I would not have thought songs like “Puppy Cat,” “Football Bat” or “Fluffy Dinosaur” could exist.  Despite the unusual titles they are actually very catchy songs, with most of them having a pop or techno beat to them.  My favorite song is “Fluffy Dinosaur” — the lyrics go into great detail explaining what it would be like to be a “Fluffasaurus Rex.” They actually don’t seem too scary.  You can tell that Patrick had a very fun time making this album. He definitely has the heart of a child.  The songs definitely seem whimsical and quirky, with most having a Dr. Seuss feel to them. They cover a wide range of topics that kids are interested in, from unicorns, to werewolves, and nearly everything in between.  The sound quality is very good, and not muffled or blurred.  It comes across quite clear and understandable despite the out of the box lyrics.  The whole album is unusual from start to finish, and entertaining at the same time. Patrick talks, or sings, about being yourself.  Through song, he lets his audience know that there is no one like you, and encourages you to go out and show the world what you can do. 

The album’s message is that things aren’t always as they seem.  Though a hairless werewolf or a zombie ballerina might seem scary at first, there is no doubt that these silly creatures’ main goal is to have fun, and enjoy life.  There is no bad language in this album, and nothing to be worried about (unless you are weary of an alien dance party!).

I give Imagination Time with Patrick 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12. Imagination Time with Patrick is available now with online retailers or streaming.

Imagination Time with Patrick
By Kinsley H., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12

Imagination Time with Patrick is an album full of imagination. My five-year old self would have really enjoyed these songs. It is perfect for younger audiences who want to be silly and have fun. The lyrics discuss everything from hairless werewolves to fluffy dinosaurs.

Patrick Adams is a singer and creator of children’s music. His latest album, Imagination Time with Patrick, empowers kids through creative oddities such as a puppy cat, a peanut butterfly, and zombie ballerinas. The songs are designed to make kids laugh and explore all areas of their imagination.

Imagination Time with Patrick has youthful songs that are full of unexpected lyrics. All of the music involves silly topics like the song “Purple Pepperoni Pizza.” This is my favorite song, and it reminds me a lot of Sheb Wooley’s “Purple People Eater.” The words are catchy and easy to remember. I can totally see little kids being inspired to try to order purple food!  There are also opportunities for the creation of cute dance moves to the tune of “Alien Dance Party” and “Zombie Ballerina.” Some of this music would even be great for brain breaks in elementary classrooms as well as surprise performances in listeners’ living rooms. There is some educational value in a few of the songs. For example, kids can learn about the eight planets in “Space Train” as well as the dwarf planet, Pluto. Songs like “Fluffy Dinosaur” and “Puppy Cat” are full of describing words that can help develop creative writing skills.  The music does have some unappealing characteristics. The songs can be monotone and repetitive. It is more speaking than singing. The rhythms are very electronic and do not seem to have the same quality of mainstream music. They also are long, so it can be easy to tire of hearing the same lyrics. However, these things make the tunes catchy and easy for young minds to remember.

The album’s message is to use your imagination. There are no creatures or ideas too small that can’t be activated in young minds. It also encourages children to get off of technology and to unleash their fun power that is already inside of them .The music is kid-friendly and parents do not have to worry about any bad language or content.

I give Imagination Time with Patrick 3 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 2 to 5. The album is available now on Streaming and Online Retailers.

For more film reviews by our auspicious KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, go to https://www.kidsfirst.org.

Share this page on:
Entertainment News for Kids:
Join KIDS FIRST! on Twitter Join KIDS FIRST! on YouTube Join KIDS FIRST! on Instagram Join KIDS FIRST! on Tik Tok Join KIDS FIRST! on Facebook