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Get All Happy!

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PreS-Gr 3—Veteran performer Peter McCory really hits his stride in his third CD for children. McCory, a one-man band, performs 18 original songs with clever lyrics that touch on topics familiar to children such as a trip to the library, riding a bicycle, cowboys, dads, and donuts. Each number delightfully tells a story, whether it's a tune about Puxatawny Phil or a caterpillar turning into a butterfly. McCory's songs have infectious melodies that make listeners want to tap their toes and clap their hands. Younger children will have a blast dancing and moving to the title song, while older listeners will enjoy the whimsy of "Once Upon a Time" as they attempt to identify the various folk and fairy tales mentioned. McCory is joined on the chorus of several songs by a well-executed children's chorus. Excellent musicianship combined with top-notch lyrics and music makes this a welcome addition to story times.—Veronica Schwartz De Fazio, Plainfield Public Library, IL
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 , Dec 01, 2010

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