In his latest recording, Hap Palmer delivers yet another warm collection of educational, activity-oriented songs. The tunes on One Little Sound aim to teach children essential pre-reading, phonics, and number skills through reassuring and fun music.
This recording is just as appropriate for home use as it is for preschool and Kindergarten environments. Key learning concepts are presented in fun ways. With the title song, for example, kids learn that by adding or subtracting "one little sound", words can take on all-new meanings. The musical story, D-O-G, Walkin' the Dog explores the effects on words when beginning consonants are changed. The op word family is similarly explored in Bop 'Til We Drop, and awareness of syllables is encouraged in Chickadee & Chipmunk, as kids count "how many chunks" they hear in different words.
Musical questions are posed in many of the songs, which are followed by appropriate pauses so that little listeners get a chance to call out (or think out) answers before children deliver the "answer" lyrics. Other lyrical prompts encourage movement and activity.
The second half of One Little Sound features instrumentals of the twelve songs. These instrumental versions include a soft piano melody line that helps children to sing along karaoke-style once they are familiar with the songs' lyrics.
Though the CD's songs may not be quite as infectious as some, they are solid and very likable. The liner notes not only includes lyrics, they present suggested activities that take advantage of, and extend, the song's educational opportunities. One particularly valuable suggestion is to support the songs' educational offerings with visual aids that reinforce letters, words, and numbers taught.
