Joanie Leeds and the Nightlights -What A Zoo Children's CD Review

Joanie Leeds and her band the Nightlights brings to us a new, animal-filled CD in the form of "What a Zoo!", set for release on April 12.  It contains 14 tracks with a runtime of 37 minutes jam packed with fun critters, creatures and lyrics for kids aged 2-9. Each song is filled with boundless energy and elicits your imagination.

Joanie has won various awards for her childrens' music such as the Parents' Choice Gold Award, NAPPA Honors Award, 3 TELLY Awards for City Kid Live DVD, John Lennon Songwriting Contest Finalist and USA Songwriting Competition Finalist. Joanie started her music career as a child, when she belted out "Tomorrow" after grabbing the party performer's microphone! This was the modest beginnings of a girl that is now known by Time Out NY Kids as "one of the best at-home sing-along entertainers for kids".

I'd have to agree with that last line. I found a little insert with the song lyrics so that children can sing along and even learn. What better way to learn how many legs various animals have than through the song All the Animals? Tofurky!? I never even knew those existed! Or what about Big Blue Whales? Did you know they were the bigger than 25 elephants? or 3 school busses? Filled with amusing information and inspiration to belt out the lyrics at the top of your lungs, "What a Zoo" is so justly named! I simply love it, even at my age...I can't imagine my nephews not enjoying it either!


See Joanie on tour:
April 3  -Dave & Mary Alper JCC -Miami, FL
April 10 -JCC Manhattan      CD RELEASE SHOW! -New York, NY
April 16  -Brooklyn Children’s Museum   CD RELEASE SHOW!  -Brooklyn, NY
April 19 -Children’s Museum of Manhattan  -New York, NY
April 23 -Off Broadway -St. Louis, MO
May 15 -92Y Tribeca  -New York, NY

Visit Joanie.


Buy It: What a Zoo can be purchased for $15 from Amazon.com, CDbaby.com, and citykidmusic.com and specialty toy and bookstores April 12, 2011.

Disclaimer: The product/s mentioned above have been provided free of charge from the manufacturer or PR firm for the purposes of this review. Opinions expressed belong to Whirlwind of Surprises and are NOT influenced in any way. Please view my full disclosure.

Until next time,

Like what you see? Follow me on GFC and twitter (@CinnyBBS) to get the latest updates. Like us on facebook or join us through Network Blogs. Leave me a comment if you'd like me to follow back on any of these.

Billy Kelly -The Family Garden Children's CD Review

Billy Kelly is a singer/songwriter/performer/animator/illustrator/entertainer/guy from Pennsylvania...well, that was a mouthful! All you really need to know is that he has come out with numerous children's music CD's including "Thank you for Joining the Happy Club" (2009) and "Is this some kind of Joke" (2010) that have landed in the Best of 2009 lists and Top 10 albums of 2010 on the children's review music blog Zoogobble.

Set for release on April 5 is Billy's newest album "The Family Garden", a CD featuring 16 tracks with a runtime of 37 minutes recommended for children ages 2 and up. His band The Blahblahblahs (love the name, by the way), his children and him recorded this CD live in the music studio with minimal overdubs and would you take a listen at the fun and goofy songs that resulted?! It may be crazy, it may be confusing at times, but in the end, its just a lot of fun and craziness! I think my favorite song on the whole album was Scootdootdoodlydoo...hehe, even the song name is full of spunk!


Not to mention, I think I spent more time admiring all the artwork on the cover and insides of the album than the time needed to listen to the whole disc! Love the cartoons and reading all the little blurps and I think kids beginning to read may enjoy it just as much!


See Billy and The Blahblahblahs on tour:
February 19 – Symphony Space, NYC
February 20 – Café Nola, Frederick, MD
March 5 – Pittsburgh Children’s Museum, Pittsburgh, PA
March 26 – Coolidge Corner Theatre, Brookline, MA
May 14 – World Café Live, Philadelphia, PA
May 22 – 92YTribeca, NYC


Visit Billy.


Buy It: The Family Garden can be purchased for $12 from Amazon.com, CDbaby.com, and thebillykellyshow.com April 05, 2011.

Disclaimer: The product/s mentioned above have been provided free of charge from the manufacturer or PR firm for the purposes of this review. Opinions expressed belong to Whirlwind of Surprises and are NOT influenced in any way. Please view my full disclosure.

Until next time,

Like what you see? Follow me on GFC and twitter (@CinnyBBS) to get the latest updates. Like us on facebook or join us through Network Blogs. Leave me a comment if you'd like me to follow back on any of these.

Giveaways Ending Soon...02/16

Hi guys,

Last couple days for entering 4 time Emmy winning Jamie Broza's Children's CD giveaway. Good luck! Take advantage of the LOW entries! Its not too late to enter! You never know... :)

Educational and fun music for your kids? Enter:

4-time Emmy Winning Jamie Broza's "I Want a Dog!" Kids CD Giveaway (US/CAN) 02/19

Food and Prize Packs?! Don't miss out on these Progresso's Delicious Soup!

Progresso Soup Light Review and Souper You Giveaway (US) 02/16

Good luck!

Until next time,

Like what you see? Follow me on GFC and twitter (@CinnyBBS) to get the latest updates. Like us on facebook or join us through Network Blogs. Leave me a comment if you'd like me to follow back on any of these.

Shabbat Shaboom Children's Music Review

Have you heard of Mama Doni? She's a mom, music teacher, songwriter and lead singer in the Mama Doni Band. They've been performing over 250 shows since 2008 throughout the USA and they've been seen on on FOX-TV's Good Day New York, NBC's Weekend Today New York, Shalow TV and E Channel's The Soup.

Her music is a fusion of reggae, rock, disco, Latin, klezmer and "Jewgrass" that introduces Jewish music in a fun and interesting way to children of all backgrounds. This CD that I was sent to review is a "Challah Day" album titled "Shabbat Shaboom" and it is filled with fun and funky music that I've never experienced before. I'll admit this is the first Jewish music I've ever heard and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was all so funky and happy. I think its a great way to introduce children to the Jewish culture and the Yiddish language. I know it opened up my eyes!


Shabbat Shaboom is a CD for all ages, with a runtime of 42 minutes and 21 tracks, its sure to keep the kids singing and dancing!


Very impressive! If you'd like to see them live, check out heir schedule for the next few months below:
February 20                Congregation Emanu El                                               Houston, TX
March 5                       Congregation Beth Or                                                  Maple Glen, PA
March 6                       Young Limmud Philly/Gershman YMHA                 Philadelphia, PA
March 20                     Museum of Jewish Heritage                                        New York, NY
April 3                          Congregation Keneseth Israel                                    Elkins Park, PA
April 22                        Friedberg JCC/Mid-Island YJCC                                 Oceanside, NY
May 10                         Weinstein JCC                                                              Richmond, VA
May 11                         Simon JCC                                                                    Virginia Beach, VA


Visit Mama Doni.


Buy It: Shabbat Shaboom can be purchased for $15 from CDbaby.com, MamaDoni.com and Itunes March, 2011.


Disclaimer: The product/s mentioned above have been provided free of charge from the manufacturer or PR firm for the purposes of this review. Opinions expressed belong to Whirlwind of Surprises and are NOT influenced in any way. Please view my full disclosure.

Until next time,

Like what you see? Follow me on GFC and twitter (@CinnyBBS) to get the latest updates. Like us on facebook or join us through Network Blogs. Leave me a comment if you'd like me to follow back on any of these.

Honey Nut Chex Gluten Free Cereal Review

This is the first time I've heard about Gluten Free Cereals and I think its a great idea because Celiac Disease is fairly common and most people don't even know they have it as it may not always present with the typical gastrointestinal symptoms that the book says. Anyhow, before I get all technical, let's get to the review. General Mills has come out with 5 different great tasting varieties of this gluten free varieties so that everyone may enjoy their cereal. Those flavors include Honey Nut Chex, Chocolate Chex, Cinnamon Chex, Rice Chex and Corn Chex. Each box contains 12 essential vitamins and minerals, calcium and vitamin D and at least 8 grams of whole grain per serving. 


To be honest, I like my cereal now and then but with the busy week I've had, I needed brain food and this was what I was nibbling on as an alternative to unhealthy snacks. It tasted great and I couldn't get enough! I'm almost out already and they sent me a whole box! I'll tell you a secret though, I really wanted to try Cinnamon Chex...I love cinnamon!! But I wasn't disappointed either, I still enjoyed my Honey Nut Chex.


In short, I find that it was a great tasting cereal and suitable for everyone, whether for breakfast or for snacking. 

Grab a coupon here for 85 cents off!

Disclaimer: The product/s mentioned above have been provided free of charge from the manufacturer or PR firm for the purposes of this review. Opinions expressed belong to Whirlwind of Surprises and are NOT influenced in any way. Please view my full disclosure.

Until next time,

Like what you see? Follow me on GFC and twitter (@CinnyBBS) to get the latest updates. Like us on facebook or join us through Network Blogs. Leave me a comment if you'd like me to follow back on any of these.