The Coloring Book is the New App

fun_book.gifThere are the high tech family music accoutrements (iPhone apps, videos) and then there are the low tech ones. Coloring books -- clearly the latter. Justin Roberts isn't the first to put together a coloring book -- I'm partial to John Upchurch and Mark Greenberg's coloring pages -- but he's released some fun pages. My tendency would be to ask a child to use yellow for the Yellow Bus, but I know that's not right. Download the coloring book here.

Announcing PlayMapped

JG_(CS07)-1.jpgBecause it gets so hot here in the Phoenix area during the summer when the kids are out of school, one of our major decision points in deciding where to go on vacation (if we take one), is, are there playgrounds there? Well, there are playgrounds lots of places. But really good ones -- with interesting play structures for the kids and shade and seating for the adults -- those are harder to find. Even on the internet, where the reviews and rankings can be brief (or with little detail for visitors). Even, dare I say it, for where I live. So I decided to start PlayMapped, a website devoted (mostly) to reviews of playgrounds from all around the country. That's right -- not only are there Phoenix playground reviews, but you can find reviews of, say, Seattle playgrounds or San Diego playgrounds. The website is young, so there aren't many reviews, though I'm working on adding some more. But as I have no intentions on giving up on Zooglobble (more music reviews this week!), and I haven't figured out how to get by on 3 hours of sleep, I need your help. I know there are lots of readers here scattered all across the country (and world) who like, value, and have opinions on playgrounds just like I do. If you're able to write even one review on a local (or distant) playground, I -- and other parents -- would be very grateful. Details on what I'm looking for are here -- it shouldn't take up much of your time, and you'll get a couple links back on PlayMapped for your time. So there it is. Hope you enjoy PlayMapped, hope you'll come back, and hope you'll add to the discussion. (And if you need more inspiration, just check out my list of songs for playgrounds.)

Yo Gabba Gabba Goes Back To School

Yo Gabba Gabba posted a couple sweet videos from their upcoming "School"-themed episode. (Note to YGG-wise -- we started school a month ago 'round here, but anyway...) My favorite of the two is definitely the retro-sounding "What Story Do You Want To Hear?" from Dr. Dog (of course), featuring a total Schoolhouse Rock video tribute. It's a great song and video. Dr. Dog - "What Story Do You Want To Hear?" [YouTube] One more from The Faint after the jump

Share: "Down in the Backpack" - Bill Harley

DownInTheBackpack.jpgMost Bill Harley material is good stuff, so even a random free track from him would have a good chance of getting mentioned here. But "Down in the Backpack"? One of Harley's most well-known songs? Almost guaranteed to get a grin out of your 7-year-old? (And probably you, too?) Just go here, where "Down in the Backpack," the title track from Harley's 2001 album, is free 'til the end of the month.

Songs For Playgrounds

IMG_3543.jpgI know that with Labor Day coming up and schools back in session, many areas of the country may see a decrease their use of playgrounds, but in the desert climates of Arizona, Labor Day means that the first month of school is in the books and it's possible to use playgrounds after 9:30 in the morning. So playground usage actually goes up 'round here. In honor of this fact, and celebrating playgrounds generally, here's a list of playground and play-inspired songs. Or songs from play-inspired albums. Or songs from albums with "playground" in the name (excluding Putumayo Kids). And while you're at it, why don't you visit my playground blog? Humungous Tree - Barenaked Ladies (Snack Time!) Multiplication Treehouse - Duplex (Ablum) Jungle Gym - Jack Johnson Feat. G. Love (Sing-A-Longs & Lullabies For The Film Curious George) Sign My Cast - Justin Roberts (Jungle Gym) Hopping And Sliding - Music Together (Bells) Water Balloon - The Okee Dokee Brothers (Take It Outside) My Trampoline - Peter Himmelman (My Trampoline) How Fast Can You Run? - The Quiet Two (Make Some Noise) Playground - Ralph Covert (The Amazing Adventures Of Kid Astro) Treehouse Orchestra - Ralph Covert (The Amazing Adventures Of Kid Astro) The Great Outdoors - Ralph's World (All Around Ralph's World) Swingset - Ralph's World (Green Gorilla, Monster & Me) Ice Pack - Recess Monkey (Field Trip) The Sandbox Song - Recess Monkey (Tabby Road) Playground - Rocknoceros (Pink!) Playground!!! - Roy Handy & the Moonshot ((I'm Gonna Be) Your Best Friend) Little Sally Walker - Suni Paz (Songs For The Playground) Playground - The Terrible Twos (Jerzy The Giant) Ooh La! Ooh La! - They Might Be Giants (Here Come the 123s!) The Bare Necessities - Tony Bennett (The Playground)