A catchy melody and a rhyming lyric invite singing along, no matter what the language. The Putumayo Kids team searched worldwide for songs that are easy to sing along with. World Sing-Along includes familiar tunes like Jorge Anaya’s cumbia version of "La Cucaracha," and the Fiddler’s Green Bush Band’s sprightly arrangement of "Waltzing Matilda" as well as Father Goose’s Jamaican rendition of the American folk song "Jig Jog Jee." Top U.S. children’s music artist Dan Zanes is featured on that song as well as "Jamaican Farewell," which he performs with Anjelique Kidjo. As they sing along, kids will learn a little Portuguese with the greeting song, "Como Vai" (by Brazilian artist Hélio Ziskind, some Spanish with Jorge Conde y Ola Fresca, with their salsa tune "Pititi y Titi," and even "A Little Mandarin" with Shàng Xué Gē. Frances England and Asheba, are among the other familiar artists with songs featured on World Sing-Along. Awards: 2013 TDmonthly Seal of Approval
A fun collection of classic cowboy songs for buckaroos of all ages by artists such as Western music stalwarts Riders in the Sky and Don Edwards. "Cowboy Playground includes a 24-page booklet featuring archival photos from the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody, Wyoming," Marie-Louise Sturm, Co-Manager of Putumayo Kids, told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 2012. — As of 9/25/2012 this product had 5 out of 5 stars from 1 review on Amazon.com.
Brass wind instruments have played an important role in the music of New Orleans since the Spanish-American War, and were vital tools for the development of jazz during the first half of the 20th century. Putumayo's New Orleans Brass collection taps the contemporary scene for a characteristically pleasurable range of rhythms and moods. The lineup includes the Dirty Dozen Brass Band with Dr. John, Kermit Ruffins, James and Troy Andrews, the Yockamo All-Stars, Leroy Jones, and John Boutté. Artists performing in perhaps slightly more old-fashioned styles are Glen Andrews & the Lazy Six, the Preservation Hall Hot 4, Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews, Bob French's Original Tuxedo Band with Leon "Kid Chocolate" Brown, and the Dukes of Dixieland, a much hipper-sounding ensemble than the mainstream Dixie pop group of the same name that made million-selling LPs during the 1950s and '60s. Once again, Putumayo offers substantial, accessible music to groove and move to, this time in the form of a good healthy shot of soulful sounds right up off of the streets of New Orleans, Louisiana. — Jen Fairclough, assistant manager of Magic Box LTD in New Orleans, La., told TDmonthly in a January 2012 survey that they sell six of this CD, which plays in the store, each month.
Celtic Christmas follows previous successful Putumayo Christmas releases such as A Jazz & Blues Christmas, New Orleans Christmas and Christmas Around the World, which combined have sold over 1 million copies. Celtic Christmas offers Celtic interpretations of Christmas classics along with an original recording. The collection begins with the joyful singing of The Albion Christmas Band on “Here We Come A-Wassailing,” and moves into Charles T. Cozen’s instrumental version of “O Come, O Come Emmanuel.” Dougie MacLean closes out the collection with a soulful Scottish rendition of “Auld Lang Syne.” Launch date: 2011.
Explore the beautiful, historic landmarks, fascinating cultures and musical traditions of Europe with this unique collection of reusable stickers, a fold-out landscape, full-color map and glossary. Launch date: July 2011.
Curious kids will have hours of fun with this captivating sticker collection which features a fold-out African landscape, African animal and instrument glossary and colorful, informative map. Launch date: October 2010. Awards: 2011 Parents’ Choice Award
Children are invited to explore and color the pastoral countryside, famous landmarks, musical instruments, animals and people of Europe. The coloring book features a monument and musical instrument glossary and a page of European flags to encourage children to learn as they play. Launch date: July 2011.
Children will have fun illustrating the fascinating people, animals and musical instruments of Africa with this oversized, high-quality coloring book. It includes a map of Africa and full-color glossary to help children learn as they color. Launch date: October 2010.
MSRP: $9.95 Age Range: 3 to 10 Target Age Range: 3 to 5 Specialty: Yes (as of 2011) Made in: China SKU or Item #: CB-3002 Launch Date: June 2011 Gender: Boys And Girls
20 large-format bilingual coloring and activity pages printed on heavy art paper and a colorful kid-friendly glossary invite children to discover their artistic talents and explore the diverse cultures, landscapes, animals and musical instruments of Latin America. "The Latin America Coloring Book is bilingual English and Spanish. This aspect along with its beautiful aesthetic sets it apart from other coloring books on the market," Ava Mostefaoui, co-manager of Putamayo Kids, told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 2011.
MSRP: $11.95 Age Range: 3 to 10 Target Age Range: 3 to 5 Specialty: Yes (as of 2011) Made in: China SKU or Item #: SC-4002 Launch Date: June 2011 Gender: Boys And Girls
More than 120 reusable stickers, an engaging fold out-landscape scene, a full-color map and glossary take kids on a fun, educational journey to Latin America. "The Latin America Coloring Book is bilingual English and Spanish. This aspect along with its beautiful aesthetic sets it apart from other coloring books on the market," Ava Mostefaoui, co-manager of Putumayo Kids, told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 2011.
This 11-track album features various musical styles and artists, including a jazz and retro number from Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, a bluesy tune from Christmas Jug Band, and selections from bluegrass artist Sam Bush and country star Deana Carter. Songs include "Sleigh Ride," "Let It Snow," "Holly Jolly Christmas" and other seasonal favorites. Launch date: 2009.
European Playground features 15 songs and colorful liner notes in four languages, and takes families on a cross-genre musical tour around the continent. If you’ve ever wondered what the kids across the pond are listening to, here’s your chance. Launch date: May 19, 2009.
Thirteen tracks of playful music from all over Africa, Putumayo's African Playground is a colorful array of tunes for dancing, singing, and playing. Putumayo's celebration of these deep musical traditions introduces children to aspects of many cultures, and liner notes included with the CD provide fun facts about the artists. - “[We] sell about 100 per month” of Putumayo CDs, Tina Benoit, Operations Manager of Kidstown in So. Burlington, Vt., told TDmonthly in July 2008. - Almost 20 percent of 68 retailers surveyed in summer 2008 listed Putumayo as their top-selling line of children's music. - “These songs provide a sampling of African musical styles and a calm, restful listening spot for your day,” said Beth Blenz-Clucas, publicist for Putumayo Kids.
Sesame Street Playground is an exciting world music adventure for kids, with each song and video produced in its country of origin. Thirteen songs from Brazil, France, China, India, Israel, Mexico, the Netherlands, Palestine, Russia, South Africa and Tanzania complement two from the U.S. flagship production. The two-disc package features a music CD with 13 songs, featuring favorite Sesame Street Muppets, plus characters developed to reflect the unique cultural and social development needs of children in each host country. The DVD features 5 music videos that visit distant locales such as Russia, South Africa and Mexico.
Featuring artists Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Chiwoniso, Samite and others, this 11-track album blends vocal and instrumental talent in gentle African songs. A portion of profits will be given to non-profit NextAid, which works to help African children with the many challenges they face. Launch date: April 29, 2008.
This CD features enchanting voices along with amusing lyrics and various instruments, such as ukuleles and slide guitars. It comes with liner notes in English, Spanish, French and Dutch, and songs include "Come to Hawaii," "Holoholo Ka'a" and "Toad Song." Launch date: January 22, 2008.
The CD takes listeners on a musical journey through Brazil. Families will love the authentic, upbeat rhythms, appealing melodies and multilingual lyrics of the songs by acclaimed samba, bossa nova and forro artists. Full lyrics and cultural information help increase knowledge and appreciation of Brazilian music, society and geography. The CD even comes with a glossary, photographs and a map of Brazil. Launch date: September 25, 2007.
“Animal Playground” is a multilingual collection of animal-themed songs from around the world. The CD includes an enhanced original music video produced by Putumayo in Trinidad featuring “No More Monkeys” by Trinidad-born artist Asheba. A 25-city family concert tour in May and June supports the release, and a portion of each CD sale benefits the Wildlife Conservation Society. Launch date: May 22, 2007.
Now kids can deck the halls with blues, jazz and swing holiday classics from the Big Easay. Bands and singers from Big Al Carson, James Andrew and the New Birth Brass Band summon up the spirit of Christmas. Part of Putumayo’s efforts to offer relief to victims of 2005’s Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans Christmas gets everyone in the spirit of giving. A portion of the proceeds from the sales of this CD will be donated to the New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity.
New Orleans is one of the world’s great cultural crossroads, and children who grow up there are steeped in the music of the city. Now, kids everywhere can enjoy the mood-lifting music of the Big Easy with "New Orleans Playground." Part of Putumayo’s efforts to offer relief to victims of 2005’s Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans Playground lifts everyone’s spirits as artists from Fats Domino and Hack Bartholomew get their toes tapping. "A portion of the proceeds benefits the Louisiana Children’s Museum," Manager Mona Kayhan of Putumayo Kids told TDmonthly. Beth Blenz-Clucas of Sugar Mountain PR called attention to the native distinctiveness of the CD: “There really isn't another collection of New Orleans songs geared specifically toward children.” This product received a spring 2007 Parents' Choice Gold Award. Launch date: May 22, 2007.
Years ago, before the advances of modern technology gave us MP3 players and video phones, people used to get together with family and friends to make music. Gathered around the fireplace or sitting on the front porch, people of all ages would pull out instruments and sing traditional songs that had been passed down from previous generations. Parents learned from grandparents and children learned from parents. In this manner, a circle was created and the music was preserved for future generations to know, learn and love. This is the very essence of folk music, and its legacy continues on Folk Playground, the new family recording from Putumayo Kids.
This joyous new collection for kids and their families from Putumayo Kids features a festive selection of tunes that reflect the crossover appeal and worldwide influence of reggae – a genre that is beloved all over the globe. As Jacob Edgar, Putumayo’s resident ethnomusicologist notes,“Reggae is one of the most adaptable and influential styles. People can really blend the reggae vibe with their local music to create something that is influenced by reggae but has its own unique flavor.” - “[My] best-selling CD is Putumayo Reggae Playground,” said Laurel Marvin Jacobs, of Science To Go in Tampa, Fla. - Gwen Bowden, manager of Doodlehopper 4 Kids Springfield, Va., said Putumayo was her chosen line of children’s music. “We don't sell a lot of CDs, but we do sell Putumayo …quite a few.” - “Customers come in and ask what [the owner] listens to and that's what drives the sales,” said Catherine Higgins of Stone Soup in Bar Harbor, Maine.