When I was pregnant with my first child, I received a gift set of Sandra Boynton books. After going through them, I found her style wasn’t quite my thing. However, a few years later, I heard rave reviews from another mom about Boynton’s books set to music. She convinced me to give the Philadelphia Chickens book and CD set a try. To my surprise, not only did my toddler enjoy it, but I found myself loving it as well. In fact, these CDs were the only ones my husband could tolerate—and even enjoy!
One of the things I appreciate about these sets is the combination of the book and CD. The book allows your child to follow along with the songs, which helps encourage reading—a win in my eyes! I still remember my kids sitting down with the book, following the lyrics, and enjoying the charming illustrations as they listened to the music.
Our top pick has to be Blue Moo. It has a fun, nostalgic feel with a sound reminiscent of 1950s jukebox music.
While Philadelphia Chickens used to be our go-to, Blue Moo eventually stole the top spot. Still, Philadelphia Chickens is an excellent set—so much so that I’d say they’re tied for first place in our household!
I wasn’t sure I’d enjoy Rhinoceros Tap at first since it has a jazzy, tap-dance vibe, but it turned out to be a lot of fun. It’s catchy and entertaining, even if it’s not a style I would typically go for.
Lastly, there’s Dog Train, which is probably my least favorite, though still enjoyable. It has more of a classic rock feel, with influences from the 70s, 80s, and 90s. Even if it’s not my preferred genre, it’s hard to deny the fun factor, especially with appearances from well-known artists like Hootie, Kate Winslet, and Blues Traveler.
If you’re exploring more of Boynton’s work, there are a few new sets worth noting. Though I don’t own them, they’re highly rated.
- If you’re a country music fan, Frog Trouble: . . . And Eleven Other Pretty Serious Songs might be perfect for you.
- For something completely different, there’s Grunt: Pigorian Chant from Snouto Domoinko de Silo, a playful take on Gregorian chant.
- And for a fun visual experience, Boynton has even released a DVD, One Shoe Blues, which features singing sock puppets!
Sandra Boynton’s music books are a great way to entertain and engage children, blending catchy tunes with playful, clever stories. Whether you’re into rock, jazz, or country, there’s likely something in her collection for you to enjoy with your little ones.
Have you ever heard of or owned one of these Sandra Boynton CD Book Sets? I’d love to hear what you think about them!