Sunny Day

PreS-Gr 3—Elizabeth Mitchell, her husband Daniel Littleton, her daughter Storey Littleton, and guest performers Dan Zanes, Levon Helm, Jon Langford (Mekons), and the Children of Agape Choir of South Africa (from the Agape orphanage) present 19 songs in folk, rock, reggae, country, and bluegrass musical styles. Several songs are traditional, including two from Japan and one from Korea. Three songs were written by Daniel and Storey ("Sunny Day," "Elephants All Over the World," and "David's Mandolin"), and several are covers of original songs written by others. Acclaimed by Time magazine as one of the "Stars of Kindie Rock," Mitchell uses her lovely, mellow voice in singing what she calls "handmade music," which invites listeners to join in. The instrumentalists give excellent performances on guitar, banjo, harmonica, harmonium, ukulin, viola, violin, fiddle, flute, clarinet, xylophone, percussion, and drums. Sound effects include train whistles in "Mystery Train," and the soothing singing of frogs in "Tsuki (Moon)." Some songs remind listeners of joyful, peaceful days with family, friends, and nature, such as "Shoo Lie Loo," "Mr. Rabbit," "Ooki Na Kuri No Ki No Shita De (Under the Big Chestnut Tree)," "Lovely Day," "Reggae in the Fields," "Ong Tal Sam (Little Spring)," "School Days," and several others. This outstanding album should be in every children's music collection.—Beverly Wrigglesworth, San Antonio Public Library, TX