Between Book Week and Love Your Bookshop Day, I was deep into the wonderful world of children’s books this month. Not to waste a good theme, I had the idea that, surely, someone must have done an album about children’s books. Enter the lovely Emily Arrow, who has not one, but two albums all about and based on children’s books, Storytime Singalong, Volumes 1 and 2.
Arrow is a sweet songstress with a voice that brings Amy Grant to mind, and a trusty ukulele called Bow. Storytime Singalong Volume 1 opens with “Books! Books!,” a short introduction where Arrow tells listeners, “I’ll read to you, you’ll sing to me.” From here, most of the songs on both volumes are based on picture books.
I know songs based on books might sound like a risky proposition. I went in wondering if these songs would be a little too cutesy or if they’d make little sense if we didn’t know the book. But, it turns out, by and large, these songs are beautiful, lively tunes that stand on their own, and capture all that’s special about children’s literature – themes of imagination, friendship, kindness, creativity, love, and being yourself.
The first book song on Volume 1, “The Dot,” based on Peter H. Reynold’s the dot, perfectly encapsulates everything the Arrow seems to stand for and love in children’s books. Not a retelling of the book, she focuses on the central theme of making your own art by starting with one little dot – “make a mark, all you’ve got to do is start.” And once you’ve mastered your dot, she encourages her listeners to help someone else do the same.
Art and creation is an primary theme in this collection. “Louise Loves Art,” (book by Kelly Light) is about an art loving girl and her scissor-wielding brother. The gorgeous “Curious Garden” (book by Peter Brown) tells of a boy who lovingly tends a garden in a city with no trees, and “One Day, The End Song” is about being an author. The most requested Emily Arrow song from my Miss 5 has been “Poem in Your Pocket,” a super catchy ditty where Arrow tells us that she always has a poem in her pocket, so that she’s ready whenever she needs a rhyme with “book,” “page,” “fun,” and so on.
I’m also charmed by a couple of the more meditative songs. “I am Yoga” (book by Susan Verde) offers yoga as a means to calm and center when you “feel small in a world so big.” And, “I Wish You More” (book by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld) is a big-hearted love song that I think most parents will feel deeply.
I really love Volume 1, and for my money, if I had to choose just one, I’d start with this one. But, if you like what you hear, go ahead and spring for Volume 2, like we did.
Creativity and imagination recurs with the intro stong, “Anything Can Be a Song” and the inspiring “Don’t Hide Your Magic” (based on the illustrations of Brad Montague).
The main theme in Volume 2 is friendship and love. The second track, “Explorers of the Wild,” based on the book by Cale Atkinson is a serious sing along about the unexpected friendship between a nature-loving boy and bear. “Hannah and Sugar,” (book by Kate Berube) is about a dog-afraid girl who conquers her fears and makes a new pal. “I Love You Already Song,” based on I Love You Already by Jory John and Benji Davies is a cute story of bear who wants a little peace and the duck who loves him a lot. “Be a Friend” (book by Salina Yoon) is one of my favourites, with its catchy “jazz hands!” refrain.
Emily Arrow’s songs are gentle and inviting. They are musically sophisticated and varied enough that grown ups will not at all mind having them on repeat (if my experience applies!), and the themes are 100% kid-friendly. If you love the gifts that beautiful picture books bring to your family, you’ll appreciate the spirit of these collections.
Read more about Emily Arrow and find her music on her website.
This review is self-funded and independent.
Read the rest of our Listening Ears reviews!
Littlefolk by Angie Who
Little Steps, Big Adventures by Tiptoe Giants
Hey Hey, Let’s Play by Nay Nay
Helpful Songs for Little People by the Teeny Tiny Stevies
Beyond the Little Star by Benny Time
Season One by The Vegetable Plot
Here Comes Science! by They Might Be Giants