"My Name is Chicken Joe" is a storybook/music CD combo that is scheduled to be released on April 21st, 2009. We were lucky enough to receive an advanced copy to review. My 5yr old son was so excited because he is a great lover of new books.After reading through and listening to this children's storybook and music CD, I came to realize that the text in the book is the lyrics to all the songs on the CD. I was not sure what to expect from the book because this was my first experience with a children's book published by The Secret Mountain. Although I had never listened to music by the band Trout Fishing in America before, I did have high expectations for the music since they have been nominated four times at the Grammy Awards.
After experiencing this book and CD with my son, it was clear that his favorite parts of this book/CD combo were the illustrations and the folk/rock style of the music.
What I thought about the music by Trout Fishing in America:
1) Most of the 11 songs are what I consider to be "toe-tappers". They were catchy and had a nice rhythm.
2) My favorite song is "I Can Dance" because it really makes me want to move.
3) The CD can definitely stand alone without the book so you can take it with you in the car or wherever you like to listen to music.
4) This style of music is suitable for all ages. It is not cutesy and limited to younger children like more traditional children's songs sometimes are.
What I thought about the book My Name is Chicken Joe:1) The illustrations done by Stephane Jorisch are whimsical and definitely made my son smile.
2) I liked the format of the first story "Chicken Joe" because it was narrative and actually told a story even though it was the lyrics to a song.
3) I think the other pieces were lost on my son because they were more suitable for listening to as lyrics. Trying to read nonsensical poetry to a five year old was not a successful endeavor in our house.
4) My favorite poem was "Hard Ball". It tells a cute story, is somewhat easy to follow for a poem, and teaches children to take their parent's advice.
Watch this video for a sample of the music, text, and illustrations . . .
What you can win:
The prize for this contest is a copy of the book "My Name is Chicken Joe" complete with the accompanying music CD by Trout Fishing in America.
Limitations:
This giveaway is open to U.S. and Canadian addresses only. You do not need to be a blogger to enter, but you must have a valid email address. If you enter anonymously and do not include a valid email address in your comment entries, I will not be able to notify you should you win this random drawing.
How to Gain Entries:
Visit The Secret Mountain catalog and leave me a comment telling me the name of one book title you might like for a child in your life. You must do this to be eligible to win this contest.
Extra Entries:
1) Leave a separate comment telling me who would get to call this book & CD their own if you won this contest.
2) Add this blog to your Technorati Favorites. Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so and under what username. Add to Technorati Favorites
3) Blog about this giveaway linking back to this post AND to The Secret Mountain or TroutMusic.com . Then come back here and leave a separate comment with the link to your blog post.
4) Tweet about this giveaway linking back to this post. Then come back here and leave your link in a separate comment.
5) Subscribe to this blog's feed. Or you can follow me through Blogger or subscribe via email (widget is on sidebar). Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so.
6) Add my button or blog link to your blog's sidebar. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your blog.
(All entries will be verified prior to awarding this prize.)
Random Drawing:
This contest will be closed on Thursday, April 16th, 2009 at 11:59pm EST. A random number drawing will be held shortly after. The winner will be announced here and will be contact via email or through their blog. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new number will be drawn.
Good luck in the drawing!
