The creative team that so cleverly presented musical theater for kids with the star-studded recording Philadelphia Chickens is back--this time with a mostly rock-and-roll romp, and another stellar cast of musical talent. Blues Traveler, replete with John Popper wailing on his harmonica, rides the rails for the driving title track about, yes, dogs on board a midnight train where "Kittycats are not allowed/ .../ their ears in the breeze/ .../ Their cold, wet, happy,/ quiv'ring noises outside." Mark Lanegan takes the octave down a few notches with his deep and bluesy rendition of "Sneakers" about the favorite footwear that's both comfy and quiet. The 1960s British invasion star Billy J. Kramer sounds every bit up-to-date as he blasts off on the spaceship song "Cow Planet." And who would've thunk that actress Kate Winslet and novelty performer "Weird Al" Yankovic could pull off a sunny and theatrically emotive duet on "I Need a Nap?" There are no clunkers here; other highlights include numbers by Alison Krauss, Spin Doctors, Hootie and the Blowfish and Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme (hilariously singing the "Boring Song"). A knockout listen, in all the best ways, for the whole family. Like the songs, Boynton's book showcases her signature zippy sense of humor and loveable critters. It also includes complete lyrics and music for each number and brief profiles of all the performers. All ages.

B>This collection of songs erupts with energy, humor, and a strong dose of rock n roll. Like the authors Philadelphia Chickens (Workman, 2002), the book has a spread for each song-a colorful, cheerful illustration and excerpts of lyrics-followed by complete lyrics and musical scores at the end. An About the Artists section includes a photo and biographical sketch of each artist who performs on the accompanying CD.

As she did for Chickens, Boynton has brought together an impressive assortment of talent, including Kate Winslet, Blues Traveler, and the Bacon brothers. Train stands apart from the earlier title for its stronger rock edge and narrative thread. Interwoven throughout the album are three songs about the quest to discover Cow Planet, beginning with an homage to 2001: A Space Odyssey. Boynton captures a childs perspective of tantrums, naps, and daily life. A poignant Penguin Lament by John Ondrasik of Five for Fighting asks, Can anyone small…be anyone serious? The toe-tapping Wave Bye-Bye immediately grabs listeners with its lively tune and a childs earnest desire to leave an adult party. Smart, funny, and encompassing a variety of music styles from Broadway to Sinatra to alternative rock, the book and CD together deliver enjoyable reading and listening for both children and adults.

 Workman Publishing Company 0-7611-3966-4 / 9780761139669
Hardcover AS NEW CONDITION New York 

Price: 20.78 USD

Loaded with 15 "seriously silly songs" to get kids shaking their tail feathers, Boynton's book-and-CD combo combines her talents with those of Michael Ford for a marvelous musical about animals and childhood. Boynton lends her sprightly artwork to the book, which features such winners as "The Rhinoceros Tap," the sailor-themed "The Crabby Song," and "So Long, Doggies." Other standouts are a ballad to an uneaten vegetable called "O, Lonely Peas," the island-flavored "Tropical Sand," a sweet-natured love song between two mice named "I Love You More than Cheese," and the hilarious "The Shortest Song in the Universe." Boynton and Ford make sure to pour plenty of kid-friendliness and musical diversity into the songs, resulting in a Broadway-style extravaganza that readers young and old will drink up. Part Two of the book includes the lyrics and music for all of the songs, letting those budding artists play the tunes themselves, along with a cut-out insert for creating your own CD holder. Self-described as being "for all ages and species, not counting mosquitoes," this spectacular set is a spirit-lifting treat that Boynton fans -- and anyone with a song in their heart -- won't want to miss. Matt Warner FROM THE PUBLISHER PERK UP YOUR EARS! From the iniminiminimitable Sandra Boynton comes 15 quirky and captivating songs for kids! Here is Sandra Boynton's first book/recording set -- completely redesigned, and now with a spiffy CD instead of a cranky old cassette tape. (Cassette tapes are SO Last Millennium.) The terrific musical theater actor Adam Bryant performs with zest and subtlety these 15 unpredictable original songs: ACT ONE Rhinoceros Tap O, Lonely Peas Bad Babies The Crabby Song Perfect Piggies Tropical Sand So Long, Doggies ACT TWO The Shortest Song in the Universe Horns to Toes Barnyard Dance I Love You More Than Cheese Tickle Time Dinosaur Round Turkey Love Song Little One This exuberant set is the perfect companion volume to the #1 national bestseller, Philadelphia Chickens. With lyrics and pictures by Boynton and music written with and played by the one and only Michael Ford (actually, there are probably quite a few Michael Fords, but this one is a really good musician), these songs have the style, swing, charm, and pizzazz that little listeners deserve. FROM THE CRITICS Publishers Weekly Author-illustrator-composer Sandra Boynton bops into summer by putting a fresh coat of paint-literally-on her 1999 book-and-cassette package Rhinoceros Tap, a collaboration with Mike Ford and Adam Bryant. A redesigned edition of the book packaged with a remastered CD is now available. The new look/format-new cover colors and design; more elongated, rectangular trim-size for the book; CD replacing the cassette-makes it a perfect companion to Boynton and Ford's Philadelphia Chickens. Additionally, CD-only versions of both titles are available from Rounder Kids. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information. Matt Warner School Library Journal PreS-Gr 4Best-selling greeting card artist Sandra Boynton expands her repertoire with this wonderfully zany collection of songs for children. Lyrics by Boynton and musical composition by Boynton and Michael Ford have produced such toe-tapping numbers as the Big Band style "Rhinoceros Tap"; a traditional sailor song in which the sailor piggies sing about their captain; a calypso tune in which a moose sings about how much more he likes Alaska than the sandy tropics; the square-dance style "Barnyard Dance" ("Bow to the horse/ Bow to the cow/ Twirl with the pig/if you know how"); a mousy love song, "I Love You More Than Cheese"; and several other equally whimsical numbers incorporating rock, blues, doo-wop, and traditional rounds. Adam Bryant does a magnificent job singing each ... Published at Seventeen Dollars.  Workman Publishing Company, Inc. 0-7611-3323-2 / 9780761133230
Hardcover As New  New York 

Price: 15.75 USD