Blue Moo: 17 Jukebox Hits From Way Back Never

by Sandra Boynton, Michael Ford (Composer)

The Baby Boomer Generation sings out loud, clear, and funny in this kid-friendly multimedia package. Author/illustrator Sandra Boynton and composer Michael Ford has enlisted a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame roster of performers to belt out such children's ditties as "Rabbit Tango," "One Shoe Blues," and "Speed Turtle," sung here by Beach Boy Brian Wilson. Also making appearances on the CD are Gerry and the Pacemakers, B. B. King, Davy Jones, Neil Sedaka, and Patti LuPone. Another Doo-Wop shop triumph for the authors of Rhinoceros Tap and Dog Train.

Genres: Music, Picture Books, Childrens, Humor, Audiobook, Fiction, Animals

64 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2007

About the author

Sandra Keith Boynton is an American humorist, songwriter, director, music producer, children's author, and illustrator. Boynton has written and illustrated over eighty-five books for children and seven general audience books, as well as over four thousand greeting cards, and seven music albums. She has also designed calendars, wallpaper, bedding, stationery, paper goods, clothing, jewelry, and plush toys for various companies.

Reviews

[Rod Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

The fourth Sandra Boynton and Michael Ford songbook (with musical CD) is probably my least favorite. It mostly harkens back to the music of the 1950s and '60s, playing around with doo-wop, rockabilly, blues, vocalists, and even marching band music, and features musical performances by the likes of Brian Willson, Neil Sedaka, Steve Lawrence, and Sha Na Na. My favorite tracks are "One Shoe Blues" by B. B. King, "Big Band Sound" by John Ondrasik, and "Rabbit Tango" by Patti LuPone. All the tracks are very listenable, but those are the three that I've rated highest so they come up regularly in my music mix. The Uninvited Loud Precision Band doesn't give us great music, but they create a running joke that pays off nicely in the end.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like silly books, and song books and Sandra Boynton books. Well, this book has all three. To be honest, I haven't really read the book, except to sing along with the enclosed CD, but the drawings are Sandra Boynton-charming and the words/lyrics are hysterical. What I really love about this book is the enclosed CD.

The CD contains the silly lyrics of a child's song with sophisticated tunes of really, really good music. And the recording artists -- well, B.B. King sings about a missing shoe, just to give you an idea of the quality of the recording artists on this CD. It's crazy. It's outstanding. I love listening to the CD. My son loves the music and loves the accompanying illustrations. Now if I could only get the Uninvited Parade by the Uninvited Loud Precision Band out of my head. Or maybe not. It is a great tune. Even if I don't know all the words. I just boom, boom, boom to the tune and my little boy is in giggles every time.

[Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Appropriate Grade Level: pre-k

Summary: This collection of songs creates a fun, exciting environment for children to be a part of. They will love singing along to each song played. The songs are up-beat, engaging pieces of music that will have children up and dancing to the beat.

Review: These songs can give children the confidence to sing and dance along. The up-beat nature of each song will show how fun music can make a classroom. Young children will love listening to these songs!

In Class Uses: sing aloud, dance activity

[Choyang · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Blue Moo' (board book plus CD) by Sandra Boynton

I keep waffling between rating this a 3.5 or a 4.00, (idk?)

Sandra Boynton is one of my fave creative talents, from cartoons to children's (& older) books, to music CDs & YouTube videos, she's extremely versatile and great at just about everything she lays her hands on!

And I loved another of her board book/music CDs collaboration, 'Frog Trouble' (my fave song on there!)

This collab was really fun & funny all-round, although there were several songs on this CD that just didn't grab and hold my attention; unlike some of her other projects.

In 'Blue Moo' my all-time favorite collab is between Sandy and blues great, B.B. King, called 'One Shoe Blues'. The video on YouTube is excellent! (in the video, keep an eye on where random single sneakers show up, and also the sock puppets, especially "Mom Sock" (lol)!

Also fun was 'Your Personal Penguin' a very catchy tune about a guy and a penguin who wants to go "everywhere with you"...um...isn't that a tad...stalker-ish? Someone else said that and it might be be true, except...the hippo who was being "stalked" was not complaining. I thought the whole song was pretty cute, including the YouTube video!

Let's not forget 'Singing in the Shower' a great throw-back song reminiscent of 50s & 60s doo-wop!

Oh, and the fabulous Patti LuPone singing the 'Rabbit Tango'; too funny!

So, I'm upping my rating to a 4.0, (from a 3.5); I didn't care for all that Big Brass Band ('The Uninvited Parade' stuff, nor 'The Gorilla Song', and a couple more. But generally a pretty good compilation of guest singers/musicians, and I think lots of kids will like it!

[Nicola · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hard for me to rate accurately as despite requesting several times from the library we always end up with a copy which is sadly lacking it's CD. Some books work fine as stories or poetry but I think this is one which is really dependent on having the songs sung. As a bonus for those musically inclined, there is sheet music at the back.

Miss 3 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.

[Erin Dunlavy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zoe loves this book. Her favorite song is Blue Moo '62. She loves Singing in the Shower and dancing to Speed Turtle. Her favorite song to dance to is Big Band Sound. Zoe is a huge fan of Ms. Sandra Boynton and loves all her creatures and creations.

[Jessica Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book as a kid, but it is really best enjoyed with the CD that accompanies the book. We also just enjoyed the CD alone. The book by itself isn't fantastic, but the illustrations are cute.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

the best songbook for kids!

[Marcia Van Camp]

Not helpful for children’s choir

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fifties style album along with Sandra Boynton's pictures and lyrics. I love the diner pictures and the silly words, the poodle skirts and juke boxes. So fun!

[Lindi Goins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great music for kids

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

We love Sandra Boynton! These songs are silly and entertaining. I appreciate all the different styles of music!

[Margaret Chind · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was the 1940s and 1950s that made the music that is most dear to my heart because as a child I grew up listening to the Oldies station and love every minute of it. Years ago, by my dad of all people I was introduced to Philadelphia Chickens from Sandra Boynton and it was my first look at her illustrated songbooks and music. Now in future years we have discovered all her board books and such and love it all!

This is my favorite by far of her songbooks and cds so far but I cannot wait for more to come in the future! So many songs emulating such classics and so many great singers even here with these new songs in the classic Boynton style. I'm just plain in love.

*Thanks to Workman for providing a copy for review.*

Originally posted: http://creativemadnessmama.com/blog/2...

[Shanna Gonzalez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Boynton and Ford collaborate in this swell collection of silly 1950's-style songs. The book accompanying the CD contains a two-page spread for each song, with titles like "Singing in the Shower," the "Uninvited Parade" which marches through the grocery store and your home, and the obsequious "Your Personal Penguin." All of the artists (fictional and real) are featured in bios at the end of the book, with fifties-style glam photos and a list of their musical achievements. For non-readers, the music is far more enjoyable than the book, but readers will enjoy following along with the lyrics. This is a boatload of silliness, cleverly conceived and executed, and a wonderful media option if you want to limit television.

[Barbara M · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delightful book with an accompanying CD of all the songs. The songs are performed by many well-known singers of the rock 'n' roll era. There's information about the singes in the back of the book with some pictures of them in their heyday. I'm not sure how much this will appeal to the kids or even the parents - it is more the grandparents era. Hence I quite enjoyed it. On the back of the book for the reading or age level it says "Really swell for ages 1 through 1962." I'm going to test this out on my grandsons (who love music) in a few weeks when they come to visit. I bought them a copy (mine was from the library) and, since I have two grandsons, got one of the others in the same style.

[Cara Hanson]

Awards: none:

Appropriate Grade Level: Pre-K to Grade 2

Summary: Blue Moo is a collection of 17 sing-along songs which are fun and easy to sing. It is accompanied by a CD and it also contains music for those who might want to play along! The songs pages are illustrated with colorful and silly illustrations.

Review: Blue Moo's lighthearted collection and humorous lyrics have appeal for young students. Some favorites are Speed Turtle, One Shoe Blues and When a Hippo Can Dance.

Classroom uses: Many of the songs in the Blue Moo collection utilize rhyme and can be used to practice onset and rime. They can also be used in phonological exercises, such as clapping to syllables within words .

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Great fun! Boynton's usual amusing animal characters illustrate a book that is set up like a 1950's jukebox. The first 2 songs, "Singing in the Shower" and "Gorilla Song" will make the quietest child and most staid adult burst into song. Second graders will laugh out loud at the image of teaching a hippo to dance, or doing the tango with a rabbit. Performers such as Neil Sedaka and B.B. King provide the authentic Doo Wop sound. Some of the songs could be used in preschool or schoolage programs but I see this as a family book and recording that will be great entertainment on family car trips.

[Marsha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best kids' songs ever! If you are tired of the silly, silly songs for kids, you should love this. These songs are either sung in the style of the artis or sung by the ortiginal artists themselves. Big favorites are "Singin in the Shower" like Frankie Vali, "Yor Nose" by Neil Sedaka, "I've got the One Shoe Blues" by B B King to name a few. This is a book with a CD of silly songs and great for the car. I highly recommend it for anyone who spends time in the car with kids. Granddaughters, 2 and 4 ask for it everytime we get in the car and know the word to every song, often fighting to hear their personal favorite first. You can preview the songs on U Tube.

[Karetchko]

I can't believe that nobody told me there's a new Sandra Boynton book and CD...particularly after I've given tons of people their own copies of Philadelphia Chickens. This new one is a lot of fun. I'm not wild about 50s-style music and will probably not listen to this one as much as the others, but there are some fun tracks. I particularly liked Davy Jones' penguin song and Neil Sedaka's "Your Nose." And, funnily enough, the first time we heard the banana song, we were stuffing our faces with freeze-dried banana chips from Trader Joe's.

[Heidi-Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

One can never go wrong with Boynton. Especially when does her humor and it is set to music. But not just any music in this book--oldies style! And as that was my favorite when I was a girl, I LOVED this book and CD. Barely listened to some of the CD and already found myself singing the songs later on.

P.S. I should have known the song my nieces and nephew sang at the family reunion was a Boynton song. It was fun to hear it again on this CD.

[Caterpickles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really a CD packaged inside a book of sheet music, Blue Moo is a medley of silly songs written and sung by well-respected artists like B.B. King, Neil Sedaka, and the Beach Boys’ Brian Wilson. Although the humor in the songs appealed immediately, I’m not a fan of 1950’s style music, so I had to listen to the CD once or twice before I liked it. Now I’m addicted to it, which is convenient, since it’s just about the only thing my daughter wants to listen to right now. Other than Elvis.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Philadelphia Chickens and Dog Train, and I just don't think Blue Moo is as good as either of those. I really enjoyed listening to it, and there are several very good songs that are sweet and/or funny. I've copied those several songs to a playlist, and I probably won't listen to the whole album very often. Dog Train, on the other hand, is addictive!

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know if this is more fun for adults or kids. The book comes with a CD of songs that correspond to pictures in the book. Famous artists like Sha Na Na and Brian Wilson sing the songs. My favorite is "One Shoe Blues" by B.B. King.

[Shala Howell · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Really a CD + sheet music). Had to listen to the CD once or twice before I liked it. Now am addicted to it, which is convenient, since it's just about the only thing my daughter wants to listen to right now.

[NECaruso · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you have kids? Yes? Good. Put this on your iPhone, go to a burger joint and try to stop yourself singing along to the Gorilla Song (or stop yourself ordering a banana split...)

The fact this book comes with the sheet music for playing along with the CD puts it over the top - full five stars!

[Amy Beebe · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love, LOVE, LOVE this CD! The book goes along with it, but the songs are GREAT! Good for little ones and adults alike. I sometimes listen to it for my own enjoyment -- even though my daughter is now a tween!

[Slither · Rating 5 out of 5]

More Boynton music! And songs! Yay!!!!!

[Barb in Maryland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ten stars at least. One of the best retro 60's rock albums out there. Boynton's music outings just get better and better.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious, silly and a favorite in our house. It comes with a CD of the songs in the book. It makes my 16 month old and I both laugh.

[Tricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

must for boynton fans. songs performed by famous artists in this jukebox style book with cd.