The Kids Are All Id

PreS-Gr 4—Celebrating the craziness and fun of childhood, Randy Kaplan sings 11 original compositions, two traditional songs, and covers three more in his third album for children. "Whistle for Willie," "Dream Hat," and "I Like Cacti" are based on books by Ezra Jack Keats. The musical styles include rootsy music, Broadway tunes, and Delta blues, which are wonderfully performed. Some of the songs have a Woody Guthrie-esque style, mixing some narration with song. Kaplan has a comic, gravelly voice and can sing very low, or with a high falsetto. Many of the numbers are quirky and comic, such as "My Little Laugh" (in which a child's emotional responses are inappropriate); "The Hebrew-Speaking Bear" (with transliteration and translation of the Hebrew in the liner notes); "Little Bee" (about a queen bee); and "The Kid Is All Id" (explores child psychology). The traditional songs include "The Derby Ram" and "Don't Leave Me Here." Kaplan covers "The Money Song" (by Harold Rome), "I Got Plenty O' Nuthin'" (from Porgy and Bess), and "Forever Young" (by Bob Dylan). This excellent album, with its quirky selection of songs, will be a welcome addition to children's music collections.—Beverly Wrigglesworth, San Antonio Public Library, TX