Real Simple: "If 'The Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round' is making your head spin, pop in this collection of upbeat songs from around the world, like "Ice Cream," by Trinidad's Asheba."
Scholastic Parent & Child: Fun Finds for October 20009. "Tunes cover the culinary corners of the earth. Healthy-eating tips such as "Eat Like a Rainbow" are included on the menu."
Aldenteblog.com on Picnic Playground "With the holidays now around the corner, this CD will make a great gift for foodies and their young proteges."
Midwest Book Review: "Drawing from Australia, Cuba, Denmark, France, German, Canada, Trinidad, South Africa, and the USA, "Picnic Playground" offers a toe-tapping internationally oriented entertainment that will engage the attention and appreciation of children... Unique, original, thoroughly 'kid friendly', and enthusiastically recommended..."
Traveling With Baby: "Putumayo Kids produces yet another must-have collection of world music hits that is enjoyed by the entire family."
The Opinionated Parent: "We love every CD from Putumayo that we've ever heard, whether for kids or not, but the kids Playground series is extra super awesome for children."
Root and Sprout: "For lack of a better word, it's FANTASTIC! Having listened to and really enjoyed Putumayo Kids Presents: European Playground, I was fairly certain I would at least like Picnic Playground, but I wasn't prepared for just how much I'd like it."
Knoxville News: " 'Picnic Playground' is packed with so much engaging entertainment that kids might get educated without knowing it… 'Picnic Playground' will get kids coming back for seconds. And thirds."
Chef Mom: "A fun way to teach your family about ethnic cuisine is to combine new foods with music from that particular culture. Putumayo World Music has made this an easy, melodic and edible endeavor."
People Magazine previews European Playground:
“If your passport isn’t getting much of a workout these days (overseas travel with little ones? ha!), this CD offers a teeny-tiny taste of Europe. 3 Stars.”
"Go check this one out, and don’t be surprised if your mood doesn’t change as if you’d just stumbled across a $100 bill." - Dadnabbit.com
From Babble.com: "No worries if your kids aren't as well-traveled as Suri or Maddox: the fifteen songs on this album represent sixteen countries and range from Scottish folk to Scandinavian pop to Belgian quasi-rap."
Mom Most Traveled: "European Playground is a light-hearted, effortless way to introduce your children to other countries and cultures!"
One Bored Mommy: New CDs You Must Check Out
Coolbabykid loves Putumayo Kids and European Playground: “Giving kids exposure to other cultures… and having great fun in the process is what makes Putumayo Kids a Cool Baby Kid top pick and our #1 favorite right now.”
Southern Mamas on European Playground: "My son and I spend the indoor afternoons dancing, galloping, jumping and kicking to these lively and engaging tunes by contemporary artists."
“Sesame Street Playground has been chosen as a Teacher’s Pick by Scholastic’s Instructor Magazine- Jan/Feb 2009 issue.”
"Putumayo’s Playground series has always been more fun than it looks, and the latest installment, Sesame Street Playground, is no exception. Here are 13 audio tracks plus five music videos that deliver families to a variety of exotic destinations in a genuinely innovative way.”- Amazon.com
Amazon named Sesame Street Playground “Best Children’s Music of 2008!"
Read a Newsvine Interview With Sesame Street Executive Ginger Brown About Putumayo's Sesame Street Playground CD/DVD
NPR's Weekend Edition recently ran a feature with Putumayo CEO Dan Storper along with Big Bird and Zikwe about Sesame Street Playground. Listen here.
Listen to more recent interviews with Mona Kayhan about Putumayo Kids and Sesame Street Playground on the Travelingirls Podcast and The Muppetcast.
Elmo recently appeared on The Bonnie Hunt Show to talk about the new release Sesame Street Playground. Watch the clip!
Photo courtesy of The Bonnie Hunt Show.
People.com’s Celebrity Baby Blog recently interviewed Dan Storper (Putumayo), Gary Knell (Sesame Workshop) and Elmo! Read what they had to say about Sesame Street Playground
Time Out New York Kids: "Sesame Street Playground works on so many levels, it’s the kind of cultural lesson that doesn’t feel like one.”
Kiwi Magazine “This is a lively playlist with a nod to everyone’s favorite classic children’s show. Although this CD is fun and danceable, it also exposes kids to other languages through the comfortable medium of music.
All Music Guide “Barack Obama was right on the money when he said that in a global economy, one of the best things American parents can do is make sure their kids don't grow up monolingual … and CDs like Sesame Street Playground can be a great way to get kids used to hearing foreign languages at an early age.”
- Alex Henderson
National Geographic Traveler “'What could be a better way to help children become global citizens than to introduce them to other countries through their favorite Sesame Street characters?' says Putumayo founder Dan Storper. I have to wholeheartedly agree.”
About.com "A splendid way of introducing young children to world music and diverse cultures. Five stars!"
Conde Naste Traveler “If only Putumayo Kids' Sesame Street Playground compilation had been around when I was a tyke… The brand new album comes with a five-video DVD set showing versions of the famous children's show from around the world. Sesame Street isn't kid-exclusive, though: The DVD is a hoot for adults, too.”
Family Man Online “Sesame Workshop (the non-profit company that produces the landmark TV show) and Putumayo World Music (which donates a portion of their CD sales to non-profits) present a marvelous collection of songs that represent a dozen homelands. Classic Street personalities and locally created characters populate the songs that celebrate childhood and society at large.”
Family Fun named Sesame Street Playground a Family Favorite in their November issue:
“The ticket to a global adventure for my family.”
African Dreamland has just been awarded Parents Choice Gold!
“A tranquil respite from the day's rush and fuss awaits listeners of any age in this beautifully considered collection of African lullabies and gentle love songs.”
- Parents Choice Foundation
People Magazine “A complication of soothing songs by African Musicians, this album features rhythms that will please young lion king fans. It’s perfect for naptime, bedtime, or any time your kids- and their mommy- need a breather.”
The L.A. Times calls African Dreamland a "blissful quiet-time treat for any age"
“Hawaiian Playground named a 2009 Notable Children’s Recording by the American Library Asscoiation”
Entertainment Weekly gives Hawaiian Playground an A!
Read Newsvine Music interview with Putumayo Kids Director Mona Kayhan about Hawaiian Playground
“What better way to drift off than to the soothing, lilting voices from across the pond?”
- Entertainment Weekly “Best of the Year 2007”
“Putumayo Kids gets it right again with this collection of gentle songs. Flutes, harp and the fusion of Gaelic and English lyrics will lull you and your child into quiet relaxation. - Scholastic Parent & Child
“In the bounce and sway of samba, bossa nova and fizzy dance rhythms, the songs culled from regions across Brazil and played using traditional instruments are beautifully rendered by skilled vocalists and musicians.” – Los Angeles Times
“As the music snakes its way along like a Carnaval parade, children will get caught up in this celebration of the group pleasures of singing, marching, chanting and drumming.” – Time Out NY Kids
“The ninth CD in the Playground Series has fun tunes from Brazil's most innovative musicians. It also comes with a map of Brazil and photos of breathtaking scenery”- Scholastic Best of 2007
THE BEST! Time Out New York Kids names Putumayo Kids a standout in their new classics list. “Since 1999, Putumayo has introduced children to exceptional music from far-flung corners, language barriers be damned.”
USA Today raves about Putumayo Kids in their kid’s music round up.
AOL Canada loves Putumayo Kids! Read more
Babble.com features an interview with Mona Kayhan, director of Putumayo Kids
