KIDS FIRST! News

“Eat a Bowl of Cherries” is now being considered as a Grammy nominee. Incorporating pulsating rhythms and movements where parents and children sing, drum and dance together, Rhythm Child features songwriter/musician father, Norm Jones along with his two sons 9-year-old Bailey and 3 1/2 year old Andre. Wife Heather is the business manager/agent and Duane Neillson is a co-writer. Featuring 10 high-energy songs, Rhythm Child is currently offering a free download of “Shaker Song” from Eat A Bowl of Cherries at www.rhythmchild.net.

The new CD is a follow-up to the 2003 multi-award winning Drum Circle Sing-A-Long CD, which garnered numerous awards such as the John Lennon Songwriting Contest Grand Prize Winner (Jammy Put On), two Children’s Music Web Awards for Best Song (This Little Light and Bird & The Dragon) and (This Little Light) in 2007 was on the Top 10 15 weeks on XM Kids Radio.

Recently, Rhythm Child was one of three American groups that were asked to contribute a song to internationally-renowned children’s music label, Putumayo Kids, Picnic Playground, and did a four concert summer tour to support the July 28 CD release.

The children’s CD from a real life Partridge family band, Rhythm Child, Eat a Bowl of Cherries is available September 15 for $14.95 at www.rhythmchild.net.

The nighttime routine gets a little easier when “Bedtime With Elmo” debuts on DVD July 7 from Sesame Workshop, the non-profit educational organization behind Sesame Street.  It’s bedtime on Sesame Street and like all little children, Elmo doesn’t want to go to sleep yet, he wants to play.  Elmo’s daddy and the Sesame Street gang explain why everyone needs sleep, even little monsters, and address timeless issues from learning to relax, falling asleep alone and being afraid of the dark.  Focusing on a core learning matter many parents struggle with, “Bedtime With Elmo” combines clever and familiar bedtime situations with engaging stories, lullabies and humor to illustrate to children just how important it is to get a good night’s sleep.  Featuring appearances from favorite Sesame Street characters including Abby Cadabby, Bert and Ernie, Oscar the Grouch, Zoe, Telly Monster, Rosita, Baby Bear and more, Bedtime With Elmo also features Andrea Bocelli singing “Time to Say Goodnight.”

Infant developmental and children’s entertainment product company The Baby Prodigy Company™, recently announced the release of their brand new title “30 Minutes To A Quiet Baby.™” A must have for anyone trying to quiet a fussy child.

This new DVD brings back traditional character favorites Dookie™ and Dottie Duck™ while introducing some new animated friends — Katie the Kangaroo™, Emily the Elephant™, and Gisella the Giraffe™.  The DVD also includes animated nursery rhymes, entertaining characters, and stimulating games that parents can replicate at home with their children.  All with the ultimate goal of providing every parent and child with REST: Relaxation, Entertainment & Sensory stimulation for your Tot™.

Founded in 2002, by stay at home Mom turned entrepreneur Barbara Candiano-Marcus, Baby Prodigy® products were created while Candiano-Marcus was caring for her first born child, Samantha. She took some time out of her busy schedule to share a bit about this terrific new title and her company.

CP: Where did you get the idea for this type of DVD?

BC: I have wanted to produce a DVD like this for a long time.  I had two colicky babies and my inspiration to start Baby Prodigy originally came from my experiences with my colicky baby.  I also wanted to create a DVD that would be for BOTH parent and child. By providing R.E.S.T (Relaxation, Entertainment and Sensory stimulation for your Tot) parents can get some relaxation while their child is being stimulated with entertaining visuals, music, nursery rhymes and playful puppet scenes which show activities parents can replicate at home with their child.

CP: What, in your opinion, makes your DVD stand out from other titles for this genre/age group?

BC: There is no other DVD like it on the market that is for both the parent and their child.

CP: What is the most surprising feedback you have received from viewers?

BC: One of the most surprising things I was told from a viewer was that her five year old loved “30 Minutes to a Quiet Baby.”  When she first played the video for her baby, her 5 year old son watched it with her.  When the video was over, he wanted to watch it over and over again!

CP: What have you learned as a producer while making this DVD?

BC: It is very important that parents get REST when taking care of their children. This DVD can help moms and dads get some rest while their little one is entertained even if it’s just for 30 minutes.

CP: What is your next project we can look for?

BC: I am working on an entertainment and educational DVD for preschoolers.

CP: Is there anything you would like to add?

BC: This is a DVD the whole family can enjoy.

Look for “30 Minutes To A Quiet Baby™” on www.amazon.com or www.babyprodigy.com.

Star Trek: The Original Series Season One -Starring one of the most endearing casts in television history led by William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, DeForest Kelley, James Doohan and Nichelle Nichols, STAR TREK® is a worldwide phenomenon and served as a launching pad for numerous television series and feature films. These classic first season episodes started it all, introducing the world to Kirk, Spock and the rest of the Enterprise’s iconic crew. Blu-Ray. 24 hrs. 20 min.; $118.00; Ages 12-18. Paramount Home Entertainment.Star Trek: The Best of the Original SeriesSet in the 24th century and decades after the adventures of the original crew of the starship Enterprise, this new series is the long-awaited successor to the original “Star Trek” (1966). Under the command of Captain Jean-Luc Picard, the all new Enterprise NCC 1701-D travels out to distant planets to seek out new life and to boldly go where no one has gone before. DVD. 201 min.; $14.98; Ages 12-18. Paramount Home Entertainment. Street Date: 4/28/09Star Trek: The Best of the Next Generation. Space…The FinalFrontierThese are the voyages of the Starship, Enterprise. Its5-year mission: to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations, to boldly go where no man has gone before !” The series is set in the 23rd century where Earth has survived World War III then moved on to explore the stars. DVD. 181min.; $14.98; Ages 12-18. Paramount Home Entertainment. Street Date: 4/28/09

Calling all “Legally Blonde” fans, fans of “The Suite Life of Zack and Cody,” or even fans of fun, family films that keep you laughing! Now is the time to enjoy the third film in the “Legally Blonde” franchise, entitled “Legally Blondes.” The beauty of this title is that it’s enjoyable enough to entertain teens and adults, but also appeals to younger children. The lack of no offensive content makes it a perfect full-family film.In “Legally Blondes,” when Elle Woods’ young, blonde cousins Annie and Izzy (Milly and Becky Rosso) moved from England to California, they thought their pink clothes, small dogs and street smarts would make them instantly fit in and feel at home. However, they find they are miles away from the uniform fashions and money-focused power structure of their new prep school. When the school’s reigning forces turn on the girls and try to frame them for a crime, Izzy and Annie must use their cleverness and charm to clear their names and show the school that in the classroom or the courtroom, they should never underestimate the power of blondes!Becky and Milly, the fabulous main characters in the film, not only have beautiful faces, but also beautiful personalities. They are great role models for young viewers. Here is their take on their acting careers:1. You have been thrown into the world of acting pretty suddenly. What is the most challenging part of acting that you have discovered?Becky – It takes me a while to practice and get into character.Milly – It’s hard for me to act confident on set when I’m feeling a bit insecure.2. How do you prepare for a film in comparison to filming for a television episode?Becky – You have to be ready to portray any part of a script at any sequence since filming is out of order. I loved the live audience on Fridays with Zac and Cody where there was great energy and you could feed off the audience energy.Milly – In television there is a short script, generally one day, so you don’t get as much character development.3. What was your reaction when you were first cast for Legally Blondes?Becky – The “Legally Blonde” movies are some of our favorite films and we are “so thrilled.”Millly – “We are honored to carry on the franchise.”4. What was the most enjoyable part of making the film for you?Becky – It was great playing a character I liked. The script was very funny and clever. Milly – It was fun going to all the different locations – Queen Mary and the mansion and Rodeo Drive.5. How did you grow personally and professionally during the filmmaking process?Becky – It helped make me more confident as I met challenges, and I became more educated on the filming process.Milly – It helped me become less shy around people of all ages. The difficult process helped me learn more about filming.6. What’s the best piece of advice can you offer to aspiring actors?Becky – Be prepared and be professional. Listen to the director and enjoy the experience. Milly – Don’t get discouraged. Set long term goals for yourself and don’t compare yourself to others.7. What new projects are you working on?Becky and Milly – A pilot of Disney channel which hopefully will become a series.8. Where would you like to see yourself ten years from now?Becky – Happy in whatever I do. Hopefully acting. Milly – I hope I’m an actor surrounded by friends and family.9. Is there anything you would like to add?Becky – “Legally Blondes” is a great film for a younger audience. It’s funny and sweet. Milly – We’re from England and so much appreciate the kindness of Americans.Look for this DVD in stores on April 28th!