DadTalk

DVD Reviews Reading and Singing Get Dad’s Attention

This holiday season, I have been asked to help sell more products/music/services than any other. Perhaps it’s the state of the economy. Perhaps it’s because I’ve reviewed a few things on this website.

Whatever, the requests have been coming in hot and steady. The majority seem quite worthy. So I apologize to all those hardworking (if not desperate) publicists out there putting their hearts and souls into selling products. I simply do not have the time or energy to respond to all your emails, much less write about them. You’re not doing anything wrong, so don’t beat yourselves (or me for that matter) up.

Every now and then, though, something catches my eye. In this case, I liked a San Francisco publicist’s SHORT and sweet email. (Long ones cause my eyes to glaze over.) Check out this simple opening pitch:

I’m a publicist representing a number of nationally recognized, award-winning children’s musicians.

When it comes to music and DVDs, award-winning generally means better. Not always (it depends on the awards of course) but often.

The publicist asked if she could send me some CDs and DVDs. Since I liked what I saw on her website, I said sure. She’s already sent me two DVDs:

The first is Readeez: Volume One, in which a cartoon version of a dad and daughter chat onscreen and sing songs. Every word spoken is printed in large easy-to-see text on the screen, which is intended to help kids learn to read. You can see samples on the website. My 6-year-old son, who already is reading at a level beyond half the adults in this nation, loves it anyway. Hopefully, my daughter will pick how to read.

The second DVD is Princess Katie and Racer Steve Live. Cartoon figures also play a role in this concert video, but they play a much lesser role. While I suspect the concert might have been a bit too loud for kids AT the concert, it’s great at home because parents control the volume. Princess Katie’s voice is reminiscent of Natalie Merchant of 10,000 Maniacs fame, by the way.

The concert includes puppets, silly outfits, happy horn players and a lot of energy. While watching, we had both kids dancing on the floor of our play room. Seriously, the music is a lot of fun.

So, if you’re still trying to figure out what to get your kids for the holidays, you now have two ideas worth considering.

Tom Chapin Video Slams No Child Left Behind

My wife is currently exploring the idea of becoming an urban public school teacher, which I firmly support. But I can’t help wonder why anyone ever goes to the hassle:

• Low pay that starts around $32,000 and never grows much beyond $50,000 except in elite school districts.
• Tough certification rules.
• The cost and time of obtaining a masters.
• Inadequate buildings and learning supplies.

Perhaps the worst thing a teacher must face is No Child Left Behind, which I’ve been calling No Child Gets an Education. It seems to me that teaching elementary school students to a “test” would be the final straw for those men and women who already put up with so many career negatives.

But forget anything I write. Watch this Tom Chapin video, which I discovered via Thingamababy, a great blog on parenting. And here’s Chapin’s website against NCLB.

Additional
A review of a Tom Chapin album.

Life Needs a Few Laughs

One  year ago, I knew very little about editing video. My new job has changed that somewhat – I know enough to be dangerous.

After all, I built a 7.5-hour long trading course that is now for sale. My brother was so relieved at the end of one taping, that he let it all, um, hang out in this video.

Humor is still the best way to get through life’s rough patches.

My Kids Love Play Dates

This little video was put together by a parent of one of Seth’s friends from school. Seth is obvious; Lael is the girl in the fuzzy blue vest.