I recently had the opportunity to review Laurie Berkner’s brand-new album, The Best of the Laurie Berkner Band, and it was every bit as wonderful as I expected.
Laurie is SO talented. She is like the Sheryl Crow of kids’ music, and her band seems so adorable and sweet. Her music is catchy, fun, and totally captures my child’s interests, which says something considering he isn’t even two years old yet. When we sing Laurie’s songs together while the CD is playing, Zachary gives me happy smiles and giggles and even claps his hands! Music has always been a constant in my life so it’s important to me to find great music that my son and I can both appreciate together.
Zachary and I first learned about Laurie when we heard her on Nick Jr. I was captivated by the song Five Days Old and had to find out who the singer was. Since then, we’ve really come to enjoy seeing her music videos on the TV channel, plus her guest appearances on Jack’s Big Music Show (one of our favorite shows), so it’s been really fun to hear this compilation, which is her “Best of” collection.
Laurie has a perfect voice for children’s songs – light, airy, and happy! Her original lyrics are fun and cute, and real. She manages to maintain the unique standpoint of a child’s curiosity in her songs. I think that all of the songs are very good in their own way – after all, they did make the “best of” CD – but there are quite a few amazing standouts. Our favorite songs are Rocketship Run, We are the Dinosaurs, Victor Vito, and Five Days Old. I also particularly love I’m Gonna Catch You, I’m Not Perfect, and Fast and Slow. The new song, Open Your Heart, is really pretty, too, and a great addition to the mix.
There’s not much to change about this awesome CD, but aside from the new song, I think more thought could’ve gone into the bonus tracks. I like Moon Moon Moon, but would have loved an alternate version of Five Days Old instead… and maybe another new song instead of Pig On Her Head, which isn’t one of my favorites.
Overall, if you’re a Laurie Berkner fan, you’re going to LOVE having all your favorites in one place. And if you’re just starting out with Laurie, this is the best CD to get for sure!
BUY IT! If you buy the CD on Amazon, you’ll get a whole bunch of bonus videos and a digital booklet which isn’t included in the actual CD version! Pretty cool! You can also buy Laurie’s CDs on her website, LaurieBerkner.com.
WIN IT! Two Tomatoes Records has been sweet enough to provide a copy of The Best of Laurie Berkner Band CD and a bonus CD – Putumayo Kids Presents Rock n Roll Playground – for one very lucky reader! United States only, please.
MANDATORY ENTRY (worth 1 point): Leave a comment telling me either, a) what your favorite Laurie Berkner song is and why? or b) why you feel it’s important to encourage music in your child’s life.
EXTRA ENTRIES (worth 1 point each) (comment one time for each extra entry):
Follow Bright Autumn Sun with Google Friend Connect (see sidebar)
Follow Bright Autumn Sun on Facebook
Follow @karenlisa on Twitter
Follow @LaurieBerkner on Twitter
Subscribe to Bright Autumn Sun via email (see sidebar)
Tweet up to 2 times per day: I entered to win The Best of the @LaurieBerkner Band CD from @karenlisa at BrightAutumnSun.com! http://bit.ly/8ZWK6n #giveaway
The contest closes on August 31, 2010 at 11:59 Eastern. Winner will be chosen via random number generator and will have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen.
Disclosure: I was provided a sample CD from Two Tomatoes to review, however I did not receive any compensation for this review & all opinions are my own.
—
If you like my blog, please consider voting! <3
Show Hide 121 comments
We like 5 Days Old here.
I want my kids to love music because it’s a form of expression that can cheer you up in even the darkest times.
Lori Z.´s last [type] … Weekly Worth A Listen- Truffle Shuffle
2nd tweet. (8/31)
http://twitter.com/matthewsmommy
Heather K.
mysticbutterfly37 at yahoo.com
second tweet http://twitter.com/hcwpw/status/22660627567
tweeted http://twitter.com/hcwpw/status/22660621954
email subscriber
laurie berkner twitter follower
twitter follower
fb fan
follow with gfc
I think it’s important to encourage music because, like prose, it’s one of the avenues we have to freely express ourselves.
It’s important because it helps them develop an interest in music and learning.
I tweeted. (8/31)
http://twitter.com/matthewsmommy
(I can’t seem to view my RSS feed on twitter, today, sorry)
Heather K.
mysticbutterfly37 at yahoo.com
following on gfc
My daughter’s favorite song is we are the dinosaurs by Laurie. She loves stomping around to the music.
Love this giveaway, my son is a huge Laurie Berkner fan. I love Five Days old… I think this was the first song we ever heard from her.
2nd tweet. (8/30)
http://twitter.com/matthewsmommy/statuses/22578001977
Heather K.
mysticbutterfly37 at yahoo.com
I encourage my children to enjoy music because it’s good for the soul. It’s also a great mood changer or enhancer.
I tweeted. (8/30)
http://twitter.com/matthewsmommy/statuses/22558101313
Heather K.
mysticbutterfly37 at yahoo.com
subscribed to email
follow LB on twitter 9ziggy
follow karenlisa on twitter 9ziggy
music is important in development (learning rhythm, etc.) and having a well-rounded child
to encourage music it so encourage creativity
I tweeted! (8/29)
http://twitter.com/matthewsmommy/statuses/22465958987
Heather K.
mysticbutterfly37 at yahoo.com
We love “We are the dinosaurs” and Pig on my Head! tracietrump@yahoo.com
I tweeted! (8/28)
http://twitter.com/matthewsmommy/statuses/22367546417
Heather K.
mysticbutterfly37 at yahoo.com
2nd tweet! (8/27)
http://twitter.com/matthewsmommy/statuses/22317116111
Heather K.
mysticbutterfly37 at yahoo.com
Tweeted. (8/27)
http://twitter.com/matthewsmommy/statuses/22289684779
Heather K.
mysticbutterfly37 at yahoo.com
I follow @laurieberkner on Twitter.
@skaketgirl
I follow you on Twitter.
@skaketgirl
I like your blog on Facebook.
Katie E.
I follow you on GFC.
I’ve heard great things about Laurie Berkner but have never actually heard her music. I think it’s important to encourage music in my kids’ lives because it encourages a sense of fun, opens them up to a different art form, helps them [if they play music] with math and other skills, and links them into something that all people can understand.
I tweeted! (8/26)
http://twitter.com/matthewsmommy/statuses/22185046896
Heather K.
mysticbutterfly37 at yahoo.com
2nd tweet of the day! (8/25)
http://twitter.com/matthewsmommy/statuses/22116825257
Heather K.
mysticbutterfly37 at yahoo.com
Music is important because it is a joyful expression.
I tweeted! (8/25)
http://twitter.com/matthewsmommy/statuses/22100013869
Heather K.
mysticbutterfly37 at yahoo.com
victor vito- because it is my little guy’s favorite, lol
thanks!
kangabunnie@gmail.com
samantha´s last [type] … Sebastian Professional Volume Collection Review
I tweeted!
http://twitter.com/matthewsmommy/statuses/22005179647
Heather K.
mysticbutterfly37 at yahoo.com
I tweeted. (8/23)
http://twitter.com/matthewsmommy/statuses/21926002611
Heather K.
mysticbutterfly37 at yahoo.com
I tweeted. (8/22)
http://twitter.com/matthewsmommy/statuses/21834191545
Heather K.
mysticbutterfly37 at yahoo.com
I tweeted!
http://twitter.com/matthewsmommy/statuses/21793671037
Heather K.
mysticbutterfly37 at yahoo.com
I tweeted!
http://twitter.com/matthewsmommy/statuses/21755299427
Heather K.
mysticbutterfly37 @ at yahoo.com
I LIKE you on Facebook.
My daughter and I love Under a Shady Tree. It reminds me of our relationship before her brother was born. She was still little and sweet and needed much more than now. My son loves this song now.
I subscribed via email
elkmeese at yahoo dot com
I’m a gfc follower as Lindsie
elkmeese at yahoo dot com
I’m not sure of the name of the song….it goes “I don’t wanna go slow I go fast” then “I don’t wanna go fast I go slow”. Now I will be singing that all day!
elkmeese at yahoo dot com
Our household favorite is Victor Vito. My 2.5 year old sings it and my almost 5 month old smiles when I sing it to calm him down when he’s fussing. Would LOVE to win a copy!!
We love all of her songs that are on Nick Jr.
Rita´s last [type] … Creating a Gravatar
I love “Pig on Her Head”
We’ve borrowed one of her DVDs from the library, my two year old thinks I’ve Gonna Catch you is hilarious, because he loves to see people chasing each other.
I tweeted.
http://twitter.com/matthewsmommy/statuses/21587129615
http://twitter.com/matthewsmommy/statuses/21587018901
Heather K.
mysticbutterfly37 at yahoo.com
I am now subscribeing to Bright Autumn Sun via email.
Heather K.
mysticbutterfly37 at yahoo.com
I am now following LaurieBerkner on Twitter.
http://twitter.com/matthewsmommy
Heather K.
mysticbutterfly37 at yahoo.com
I am now following karenlisa on Twitter.
http://twitter.com/matthewsmommy
Heather K.
mysticbutterfly37 at yahoo.com
I am now following Bright Autumn Sun on Facebook.
http://www.facebook.com/mysticbutterfly37
Heather K.
mysticbutterfly37 at yahoo.com
I am now following Bright Autumn Sun with Google Friend Connect.
Heather K.
mysticbutterfly37 at yahoo.com
We really love the Dinosaur song, it has really come in handy when trying to get our almost 3 year old son to pick up his legs and walk to the car, etc.
Heather K.
mysticbuttrfly37 at yahoo.com
She is such a fun singer! Safe and fun music! Thanks so much for the chance to win! Our favorite song is “Victor Vito”…. ~ Take Care
Tracy´s last [type] … Daddy Cooked
following Laurie Berkner on Twitter too! (annaandessie)
Laura´s last [type] … Life is Fun!
I follow on Twitter (annaandessie)
Laura´s last [type] … Life is Fun!
Hey I’m from MBC and saw your giveaway. I like, “I’m sitting here I’m one day old, I’m sitting here I’m two days old” I don’t know the actual name. We sang that all the time when Essie, my youngest, was born. My Anna LOVES music. It makes her face light up and she dances. We love Laurie!
I have a giveaway going too BTW: I’m giving away a $15 Amazon Gift Card! http://www.annaandessie.com/2010/08/win-it-wednesday-15-amazon-gift.html open to anyone and ends 8/24
Laura´s last [type] … Life is Fun!
followed you on gfc
Scarlet´s last [type] … Bamboobino Eco-friendly-Luxurious Crib and Bassinet Sheets Giveaway
followed LB on twitter @MWYT
Scarlet´s last [type] … Bamboobino Eco-friendly-Luxurious Crib and Bassinet Sheets Giveaway
followed you on twitter @MWYT
Scarlet´s last [type] … Bamboobino Eco-friendly-Luxurious Crib and Bassinet Sheets Giveaway
We are the dinosaurs was one of my kids favorites for a really long time. We love marching around to it.
Scarlet´s last [type] … Bamboobino Eco-friendly-Luxurious Crib and Bassinet Sheets Giveaway
I tweeted:
http://twitter.com/FabFindFoodie/status/21556131591
I follow @LaurieBerkner on Twitter (@FabFindFoodie)
I follow @karenlisa on Twitter (@FabFindFoodie)
I follow you on Facebook (Angela W)
I follow on GFC! (FabFindFoodie)
My favorite is Google Head because my two girls have these cute alien-looking hats from Michaels and everytime that song comes on NickJR they run and grab those hats!
I love her song Candy Cane Jane
I think kids need music because it gives them inspiration and creativity, as well as reminders of wonderful family memories every time they hear those songs again.
Thanks for the chance to win!
–Liza
ejm6x (at) yahoo (dot) com
I follow Bright Autumn Sun on Facebook
I Follow @karenlisa on Twitter
.
I follow Follow @LaurieBerkner on Twitter.
I love her version of Fly Me to the Moon.
email subscriber
lifesandcastle is following laurie berkner of twitter
lifesandcastle is following you on twitter
http://twitter.com/lifesandcastle/status/21410795304
Jennifer´s last [type] … Delivery Questions
jenn mccullar is a facebook fan
Jennifer´s last [type] … Delivery Questions
My son loves Running down the Hill & Rocketship Run.
I think exposing children to music enhances their imaginations.
Madeline´s last [type] … Weekend Loves
[...] Best of Laurie Berkner CD Giveaway ends August 31, 2010 [...]
music is a super special part of our son’s life. His favorite thing to do is dance and listen to music. I think it is important to encourage his love of music because it is important to him. It is also really fun! Music expresses what the heart dreams.
Is Laurie the one that sings the Family (F-A-M-I-L-Y) song on TV? My kids LOVE that song and we are constantly singing it – in the car, at dinner! ;) Music is a BIG part of our lives. I play Clarinet and piano, my daugher is learning the guitar and my son is constantly setting up “drums” out of cans and other containers. And my 1 YO is a dancing fiend!
I’m a facebook fan of yours
I follow you on GFC
I love Five Days Old. It’s a super catchy song plus the video has a little girl with Down syndrome in it and I love that
Music enhances brain development and it’s a fun way for kids to learn and move!
Music allows children to express themselves.
Tweeted!! @marvelouslyms
MessyMissy´s last [type] … Kiddo Craft-os- Shaving Cream
Following Laurie on twitter. @marvelouslyms
MessyMissy´s last [type] … Kiddo Craft-os- Shaving Cream
following @karenlisa on twitter (@marvelouslyms)
MessyMissy´s last [type] … Kiddo Craft-os- Shaving Cream
Music is so essential in our lives and especially our children’s….it enhances emotional development and encourages expressional movement!!
I tweeted.
Manda´s last [type] … Deweys Showcase- Leap frog Phonics
I follow LBB on twitter
Manda´s last [type] … Deweys Showcase- Leap frog Phonics
I follow you on twitter
Out of all the reasons that music is important in a child’s life- the number one to me is that it is FUN.
Cujo (HMB99) is a google friend
Music is important in a child’s life as it is a great art form, promotes higher learning dancing and just sounds great.
Tweet http://twitter.com/crissy/status/21091828647
Like you on FB
Follow Laurie Berkner now too on twitter
I follow on Twitter @crissy
I follow GFC
I’ve read that teaching children is often most effective when lessons are incorporated into music!
Each night, if it’s not a rerun, our little one loves watching the Backyardigans, and there is usually a song by Laurie Berkner and her band played before and/or after the show. Our daughter jumps up and dances (her favorite is the ‘when you’re in my heart, you’re in my family song :)).
I follow you on fb
Jennifer´s last [type] … The Winner of ATG Stores Giveaway
I think it’s important to have music in my girls life because I think it helps develop personality.
music fills the heart and soul, music creates connections, music fosters IQ and EQ and music is forever
tvollowitz at aol dot com
I tweeted about the giveaway
https://twitter.com/houseofhege/status/21025081234
Too Much Good´s last [type] … breakfast at tiffanys
Following @LaurieBerkner on Twitter (@houseofhege)
Too Much Good´s last [type] … breakfast at tiffanys
Following @karenlisa on Twitter (@houseofhege)
Too Much Good´s last [type] … breakfast at tiffanys
I “liked” Bright Autumn Sun on Facebook!
Too Much Good´s last [type] … breakfast at tiffanys
Following Bright Autumn Sun with Google Friend Connect!
Too Much Good´s last [type] … breakfast at tiffanys
I have never heard of Laurie Berkner so I would love to win the CD to find more music for my daughter Lila. Music teaches kids to let ideas and thoughts into their hearts and minds. I still remember songs about having a cheerful heart and sharing from my childhood. I want those same values, as well as a love for music to resonate in Lila’s life.
Too Much Good´s last [type] … breakfast at tiffanys