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Big Blue Sky

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PreS-Gr 2—New England-based Fran Friedman adds to a growing body of work with her fifth recording for young listeners. These 16 catchy tunes have repetitive lyrics and/or structure, making them easy to learn. Largely ballads ("All the Way Around the World," "On the Day You Were Born," "I've Been Waiting for You") or soft rock songs ("Thanks," "If I Could Have a Hurpalops"), several upbeat tunes add interest to the mix. These include covers of songs by Tom Paxton ("We're on Our Way to Washington" and "Sleeping in the Back Seat") and the Carter Family ("In My Family's House"). Opening with her own "Big Blue Sky" (an activity-filled song), Friedman includes counting songs ("Whale and the Fish," "I Love You Two," and "Zoom Zoom Zoom"), a new arrangement of "Eensy-Weensy Spider," and closes with "Good Night," a lullaby. Her rich alto is reminiscent of Karen Carpenter, with a country twist. She uses a small, well-rehearsed group of musicians to accompany her throughout; a chorus of children's voices joins in the occasional refrain. This recording features some wonderful story time material.—Stephanie Bange, Wright State University, Dayton, OH
In this beautiful, heartrending, yet horrifying film, North Koreans tell their stories of imprisonment, sexual slavery, torture, murder, and escape to China or South Korea during the nearly 50-year regime of Kim Il Sung (1912—94). The interviews are illustrated through the interspersion of dance sequences, archival news footage, and drawings. Particularly interesting are the North Korean propaganda films celebrating Kim Il Sung as God and showing in the face of mass starvation happy workers, elaborate military displays, and the creation of a new flower in 1988 in honor of the 46th birthday of Kim's son and successor, Kim Jong Il. A valuable time line traces 20th-century events in Korea. Bonus features include previously unreleased footage of camp refugees. This mesmerizing film displays excellent production values and is highly recommended for Asia collections.—Kitty Chen Dean, formerly with Nassau Community Coll., Garden City, NY
Reviewed by Kitty Chen Dean , Sep 01, 2010

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