Get THIS Adaptation of the Nutcracker for Family Listening! {A Maestro Classics Review}

 {Note:  This post contains affiliate links to our hands-down favorite provider of music appreciation CD's and MP3's: Maestro Classics, from whom we received The Nutcracker for review. Read full disclosure here.} 

A couple of years ago, I randomly borrowed Casey at Bat out of the library when scooping up CD's, last-minute, to entertain my children on a 12-hour roadtrip.  Within minutes of popping the CD into our minivan's CD player, my entire family fell in love with Maestro Classics, and, upon our return from the trip, scoured local libraries for more Maestro Classics selections.

Since then, we've enjoyed borrowing Carnival of Animals,

Jaunita and the Spanish Lobster,

Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel,

and, our favorite, The Story of Swan Lake. 

Oh, how we love the Swan Lake one and find ourselves singing, "Tchaikovsky wrote a great ballet.  It's name was Swa-a-a-an Lake..." so often since we learned the song on the CD!

So, when we were offered a chance to review Maestro Classics' The Nutcracker, we jumped at the opportunity.  Doing so would not only allow us to listen to one of Maestro Classics' latest productions, but would also let us OWN a Maestro Classics CD.  We were all so excited for it to come in!

As soon as we received our review copy of The Nutcracker, we unwrapped it and popped it into our minivan's CD player.  Much to the children's surprise, once the narration on the CD started, they did not hear the voices they'd become familiar with from other Maestro Classics CD's.  Instead, they heard another well-known to them voice: that of Jim Weiss! After commenting on their surprise, the children quickly quieted, enraptured by the story and music.  In the past, we have read picture books of the Nutcracker together, have seen friends in a local ballet production of it, and have watched parts of professional troupes dancing the Nutcracker online.  However, we have not done so often enough for the children to have memorized the story.  In fact, as we listened to the abbreviated Maestro Classics's version of The Nutcracker, I realized that my youngest did not recall much of our previous introduction to the story at all.  He was so taken anew as Clara's story unfolded that he would have literally been on the edge of his seat by the time the battle with the Mouse King came.

As it was, we got to our destination just as Jim Weiss' voice narrated a height of action that my youngest could not bear to leave the minivan in the middle of.  He begged to stay in the car to hear "just a little bit more!" And, so began our introduction to The Nutcracker, the newest CD in the Maestro Classics' collection.

We listened to more of the CD on our return trip that day and, since then, my oldest has listened to the CD again when he had trouble sleeping one night and we all listened to it while doing laundry...

...or dancing around laundry as the case may have been for my daughter as the music of the London Philharmonic Orchestra swept her into delighted spinning.
 

I have also bookmarked the free curriculum guide that Maestro Classics offers online so that, if time allows this Christmas season, our family might use it for a unit study.  (If time does not, however, there is always next year!  Most certainly, The Nutcracker, never gets old or becomes irrelevant!)

Child-Friendly, Plus!

Undoubtedly, Maestro Classics' child-friendly production of The Nutcracker will play frequently in my home and minivan during the holidays for years to come, and, perhaps, at other times of year as we study different topics or as the children request to hear the CD again.  And, we won't just listen to the music overlayed with the wonderful narration of Jim Wiess. We'll also enjoy the 24-page activity guide that comes free inside the CD case.  Among other things, this guide contains:

• a listing of each scene within The Nutcracker.  (No scenes are skipped in this hour long version, either.  Some are simply abbreviated in conductor Stephen Simon's adaptation of the classic musical score.)
• a brief History of Ballet
• notes on the harp
• background about Tchaikovsky
• a word scramble
• and a crossword puzzle

I just love when companies offer such value-added components to their products.  Between the activity guide in the CD case and the free curriculum guide online, Maestro Classics can make any parent, teacher, music educator, or child pleased! 

In Case You Are Not Familiar with the Nutcracker
 

The story of the Nutcracker has delighted children and adults alike for decades both as classical music and a ballet that has inspired books, movies, and more.  As the story unfolds, a young girl named Clara celebrates Christmas with her family, when a mysterious guest arrives bearing life-size dancing dolls.  He gifts Clara, his goddaughter, with a special nutcracker doll.  That night, the family's Christmas tree begins to grow, toy soldiers and the Mouse King have a battle, and Clara's nutcracker turns into a handsome prince that takes Clara on a magical journey...In Maestro Classics' The Nutcracker, all of these scenes come to life through a blend of narration and music.  Jim Weiss, a premiere American storyteller voices over the music to tell the tale verbally.  However, he also pauses so the top-notch classical music played by the London Philharmonic Orchestra can do some of the telling itself. And, all this happens within the child-friendly length of about an hour.  What a great way to familiarize oneself with this classic musical tale.

I would highly recommend this adaptation of The Nutcracker to others in either its CD- or MP3-version.  (A downloadable pdf of the activity guide comes with the MP3 version.)  From the very first listen, it is likely to become a well-loved favorite by families who:

• are going to see The Nutcracker Ballet and would like to better familiarize themselves with the storyline

• are already fans of Jim Weiss and would appreciate music appreciation being layered in with Jim Weiss' always-wonderful storytelling.

• love Tchaikovsky's music.

• wish to do a unit study on The Nutcracker.

• seek quality music appreciation CD's to add to their collection.

Targeted for families with children ages five and over, I believe The Nutcracker can be enjoyed just as well by any age.

One Small Caveat for Regular Maestro Classics Listeners
 

My children and I truly enjoy The Nutcracker, but were all surprised that it did not contain educational tracks describing the creation of the music, the composer's life, notes on musical composition, and more as so many other Maestro Classics do.  I understand why this CD does not (because at an hour's length with just the narrated adaptation of the story, it is a "perfect length" for listening) and am glad that such things are contained in the 24-page activity book.  Still, my children and I missed hearing such connections on the actual CD. 

My nine-year-old said this about the CD:

I like how the prince is victorious.  I like the narrator, too.  I would like it if they added something onto the end like they do in their other CD's.  For example, I'd like to know more about the famous composers, which instruments are used in the parts, and stuff like that.

My eight-year-old said:

I like the music.  It changes with mood and tells a story.  I like to dance with it.  I like the storyteller, too.  I wish there were small details told after the story about the people and music.

My  five-year-old added:

I like the war.  It's exciting.  We stopped in the middle of it when the Mouse King was there, and I wanted to listen more.  The battle music makes it sound like a real battle.  The narrator tells the story and I can imagine the battles.

Me?  I echo all my children's thoughts.  The music is beautifully played.  The story is perfectly told with just enough narration between musical interludes.  The quality is top-notch.  But, yes, I, too, miss the music education I always get by listening to post-story tracks on other Maestro Classics CD's.  Sure, I can get a similar education in the included activity guide, but there is nothing like hearing conductor Stephen Simon and his music educator/ executive producer wife, Bonnie, teach us about music as the music plays. 

I admit, I was secretly hoping to have more catchy lyrics that matched classical orchestral music play through my head for months to come as I have with the ditty from The Story of Swan Lake, but, even without such extras, I am well-pleased with The Nutcracker and am confident you will be, too.  If you'd like a taste of it, see samples of the activity book and listen to samples of the soundtrack at the Maestro Classics' website.

Learn More

Maestro Classics is currently having a sale for $50 off their 12-CD collection which includes The Nutcracker and has FREE SHIPPING!


They also have their 13-title MP3 collection on sale for nearly $30 off.  This collection includes the soundtracks for each of the titles below, plus downloadable activity books, all as an instant download:

• Peter and the Wolf
• The Nutcracker
• The Story of Swan Lake
• Carnival of the Animals
• My Name is Handel: The Story of Handel's Water Music
• Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel
• The Tortoise and the Hare
• Merry Pranks of Master Till
• The Sorcerer's Apprentice
• Casey at the Bat
• The Soldier's Tale
• Juanita the Spanish Lobster
• Juanita la Langosta Española

Check out the Facebook page for regular sales!

Read what 100 Schoolhouse Review Crew families thought about The Nutcracker and Peter and the Wolf.

Get social with Maestro Classics at:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MaestroClassics
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/MaestroClassics
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/maestroclassics/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/maestroclassics

For the Car (and Home) Music Library: A 28 Instant Songames Review

Singing Along while Finding Her Armpit

For economic reasons, as well as simply to maintain a good balance to the rhythm of life, I try to maintain a habit of having several car-free days for the kids and me.  That means on days when we do use the car, there are often a number of errands and appointments to attend to back-to-back.  Or, there are long drives to single destinations to be had.

Whether grouping a lot of smaller trips into one or taking one longer trip, I find that having a mini music-library in the car helps keep everyone happy, entertained and, yes, even moving, at times.  (Because, with my kids, balancing still quiet times with active moving ones is key to maintaining peace and Luke's sensory diet.)

Recently, I was lucky enough to review a copy of  28 Instant Songames, provided by Future Horizons, for OJTA (complete, detailed review here). What a great little CD this is!

Meant for music and movement at home or in the classroom, we accidentally found 28 Instant Songames is perfect for the car, too.  You see, in order to write the review for the CD, I gave it a first listen-through in the car.  The kids took to it immediately and, after that, often requested it in the car (and at home).  Truly, the CD became a staple in our mini-van!

When I pop the CD into our minivan's player, Nina joins in with song and playing right away, by singing out all of our names, as well as ones of friends and extended family members during the introductory songs.  Then, she and Luke enjoy finding their own body parts, and pointing to Jack's, during some of the early songs on the CD.  (I love that these songs include a variety of lesser-used body part vocabulary, instead of just the typical early ed song basics:  head, shoulders, knees, toes, hands, eyes, ears, mouth and nose.)  After that, by the time we get to Luke's favorite, "Pick an apple, pick an apple..." everyone is giggling, interacting and stretching -- well on our way to a decent drive

Of course, being constantly active and silly in the car isn't my idea of a perfect car ride.  I like some relative quiet, too.  And, I must say 28 Instant Songames provides that, too.  The kids often become quiet and intent when listening to the character voices on the CD that lead them through the CD's different realms:

• The Horse Realm, where children develop awareness of their bodies while moving along to music that ignites rhythm and imagination.
• The Dolphin Realm, where children explore their feelings, strengths and joys, increasing their vocabulary and emotional awareness as they play
• The Eagle Realm, where children are encouraged to connect with others while discovering personal joy and acceptance of diversity.
• The Frog Realm, where the magic of imaginative play is honored and where wishes and dreams are invited to be voiced.

These characters provide a “story” effect, where bits of narration from various fairies and creatures,  “Aunt Barbara” and two children, string the 28 songs on the CD together as a cohesive whole, making it even more enjoyable for the kids to listen to in the car.

From Tears to Apple Picking

In fact, it is just this story effect that has more than once saved the day, or at least decreased the stress level, in our mini van.

You see, lest you think all is ideal in the Stanger mini-van, let me be the first to admit it is not! I often have to struggle with one (or all three!) of our children to get them in the car.  These struggles carry over to whining and, sometimes screaming and tears, as the kids are buckled in.  Then, there are the residual kiddo complaints and nagging aimed at me and each other.  It can be very trying!

That's where 28 Instant Songames comes in.  For the time being, at least, it's story effect has a wonderful calming effect on the kids.  I pop the CD in and their concentration moves from being extraordinarily unpleasant to being engaged in music, song and storyline.  Ahhhh!  Peace!

With easy-to-follow songs and chants, various vocal qualities, rhythms, beats and sounds, plus the storyline to boot, 28 InstantSongames lives up to its name as an instant (and enduring!) hit in our minivan.  (We like to dance along to it in our living room, too.)

Some skills the CD keys into are:

• listening
• memory
• fine motor
• gross motor, and
• language.

The songs and games as described in the CD's accompanying booklet, key into the following concepts in a fun and functional way:

• body awareness,
• self-esteem,
• self-expression,
• friendship, and
• acceptance of others.

Catchy, easy-to-follow and able to engage, 28 Instant Songames is a resource we enjoy!

What are some of your calming car strategies?  Any favorite CD's for car trip, long and short?  Do share in a comment!

A Rich Review: Baby Sing & Sign

I just found the 52 Books in 52 Weeks Challenge and am so excited since it will help me focus on one of my personal goals for the year:  Simplicity!  You see, I have a horrible habit of reading multiple books at one time, putting my brain in overload and causing my library renewal pile to reach precarious heights.  In fact, I am so inspired by the idea of reading one book a week every week for 52 weeks, I am considering doing what my husband always wishes I would do: returning all but one of my library loan books and only taking the others out again when I finish the one I keep.  But, before I do, I want to catch up on the challenge by being sure to read and review four books.  So, I will double up on the reviews for this week:

Making up for week one’s review: a Rich Review of Anne Meeker Miller, PhD’s, Baby Sing and Sign.(To see my criteria for Rich Reviews, please see this post.)

* * * * *

 Baby Sing and Sign is very readable.  Fairly wide margins, concise, yet complete how-to’s and busy-Momma-friendly formatting made it as easy for me to buzz through as to go back to as a ready reference.  Song lyrics both in simple text format as well as with the musical notes, clearly black and white photos and captions of signs, bulleted tip lists and well-formatted “Games to Play”, among other things work to make the book accessible for first-time readers and for busy moms wanting to review specific songs, signs, activities and tips.  And – bonus – it comes with a 13 song music CD!  Thus it gets a definite star for readability.

I have already used portions of Baby sing and Sign with my kids, consulting it for some lyrics and signs during our living room music and movement times.  I also plan to consult it for activities to be woven into a “class” that is being planned to keep 0-3 year old siblings of older co-op participants happily enjoying developmentally appropriate activities during a spring homeschooling co-op session.  So, relevant?  You bet!  Whether for home use of for co-op or daycare provider use, if you have young ones in your life, Baby Sing and Sign definitely has some can-do-now-or-soon activities in it.  Another star for relevance!

Likewise, Baby Sing and Sign is very practical.  The book does not simply provide a random menu of signs that you can use with babies.  Instead, it weaves 44 signs, which have been specifically selected to help children express their wants and needs as well as to communicate about common things in their environments, into developmentally appropriate games, songs, activities and literacy connections.  In doing so, the book offers:

• Songs lyrics with specific suggestions for incorporating signs, movement and play while you sing.
• Tips for teaching the songs and signs
• Additional activities to adapt and extend the music and signs presented while continuing to engage children
• Clear instructions for making toys and laying games with inexpensive and on=hand materials
• Lists of age-appropriate books to read that fit the musical themes and signing vocabulary presented in the book
• Brief stories about child development and parenting related to the singing and signing with children.

 Sing and Sign  also has some FAQ’s, a photo dictionary of signs used throughout the book and a glossary.  Another star – this one for practicality!

For longevity, I was tempted to give this book a mere ½ star, because, in all honesty, unless I keep having babies or begin teaching wee ones regularly in a few years, we will outgrow this book in about two years.  But, since my now five year old likes the CD that comes with it, I think the CD alone will still be used in our home for another five years – until our baby is kindergarten-aged.  And, besides, a book like this makes a great pass-along to a family with young children, a daycare provider or a library once you’ve gotten what you can from it.  So, I am giving it a full star for longevity.

And value?  Another star!  A useful book and song CD* for under $18.  That’s definitely a fair price and one we will consider paying next time Jack receives some gift cards!  I can definitely see using this book and CD enough to warrant multiple lending periods from the library until we take it out.

*I admittedly had to let the voices and songs from the CD grow on me, but they have.  The kids liked them right away.

And for week two’s review:  Another book I have reread this year is Learn to Move, Move to Learn! Sensorimotor Early Childhood Activity Themes by Jenny Clark Brack. I simply love this book, which I reviewed previously here, and just adapted a lesson from it to have a wonderful snow-themed sensorimotor morning to go along with our children’s book of the week last week, The Snowy Day.
 

We’ll be back next week with two more reviews and, then, I think will be caught up and on our way to 52 Books in 52 Weeks, one book at a time!

Our Sensory-Friendly Five in a Row for The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats

~1~

A Little Library Inspiration

 Ages ago, I borrowed Five in a Row (FIAR) from the library after a curriculum recommendation from a friend.  I loved FIAR's concept, but I just couldn’t see purchasing a copy on our tight budget.  I figured between my experience and the Internet I could very easily “row” books on my own, honing in on my kids’ personal developmental needs, while occasionally borrowing FIAR again when I needed inspiration.  Since that time, I have discovered that FIAR is such a popular book that it is nearly impossible to reserve from our library system on a regular basis.  But, that hasn’t stopped us from rowing in our own way.

How do we row?  Merrily, merrily, merrily through the week, when I remember to, and catching the currents of life – sometimes veering off course or in one direction or another – when I don’t. Even in the snow... 

~2~

The Snowy Day

 This past week was a merrily-in-the-snow week.  Each day, we ready Ezra Jack Keats The Snowy Day, a charming little tale we had on hand in board book form that seemed very appropriate considering the world outside our window: snow-covered and cold!

For those unfamiliar with this classic, it is the story of a boy who wakes to discover snow has fallen during the night and, then, bundles up to go enjoy the magic of a snowy day – experimenting with foot prints, knocking snow from trees, creating snow angels and trying to save a snow ball for another day, among other things.  It was 1963 Caldecott Medal winner and has simple, but beautiful illustrations made from cut-outs, watercolors, and collage. 

So, what are some of the things we did as we rowed along on snowy days?

~3~

Sensory Movement Monday

After reading The Snowy Day, I facilitated an adapted version of Jenny Clark Bracks’s wonderful Learn to Move, Move to Learn!: Sensorimotor Early Childhood Activity Themes (book reviewed here) Winter Snow lesson. (Sensorimotor snow lesson details here.) Since then, the kids have been enjoying their own inside-snow events, such as crib mattress sledding and building their own creative indoor "snowman" constructions!

~4~

Storytime Tuesday

 

Tuesday brought a full The Snowy Day-inspired storyhour (full details, with fingerplays and song lyrics included, here), complete with craft and snack, to our home.  The keeper from that?  Among other things, Stranger in the Woods.  Luke has requested it as our book of the week for “not next week, Mommy, because its groundhog Day, but the week after”.  (So, if you have favorite groundhog books or Stranger in the Woods activities, suggest away!)

~5~

Snow-Time Wednesday

 Wednesday, since the most recent mini-blizzard began, we did not do indoor activities connected with our reading The Snowy Day.  Instead, we enjoyed some weather-based Physical Education and Care of Home: shoveling, sledding and climbing of snow “mountains”.

~6~

Just Like Peter Thursday

 At bedtime, Thursday, we read The Snowy Day and talked about which of the things that Peter did that we had also done.  Among the kids’ favorites were climbing up a snow mountain and sliding down, hitting trees with sticks to make the snow fall down and – not that Peter did this – building snow forts!

~7~

Co-op Friday

 So long as we can get out of our road today and safely drive a couple towns over, we will be joining in the fun of a new pre-k/kindergarten co-op we are involved in where doing a snowman craft is part of the plan.  (That ever-important and questioned "socialization" piece of homeschooling!) The new co-op is supposed to meet only the second and fourth Friday’s of the month, but last week got rescheduled to this week because – you got it – SNOW!  Sure has been a lot of it around here this winter.   

We don’t mind.  It is instant PE, great outdoor time, a no-brainer for Luke’s daily sensory diet and an inspiration for the kids to construct some great learning around their own ideas as well as through the sensory-friendly, motor-based plans I come up with.  Plus, it's fun to see the snow on our front walkway get taller than the kids (as in the picture above!)

This post is being shared at Conversion Diary’s 7 Quick Takes.