Fascinating Creatures

Not too long ago, I got one of those Amazon.com recommendations that tells me, "you bought this, so you'll probably like this." I typically delete these emails, since most of my Amazon.com purchases have been gifts for others and many of their recommended titles miss the mark for me (another World War II memoir? Season four of South Park? Hmmm...). But the All-Knowing Amazon did manage to allure me to buy Frances England's Fascinating Creatures, and thank goodness it did. My heart goes out to any parent who has not yet discovered this lovely, talented artist.

Ms. England, whose earthy, indie-folk style makes me sometimes forget I'm listening to a children's album, bills her CDs as "music for the whole family." She and I have never met, but I think she really means music for MY family since each track seems to be a song about my child. In fact, her lyrics are so universally kidpossible that I doubt a mom or dad could listen to them and NOT find a bit of their own little "fascinating creature" within the lyrics. The album, created as a fundraiser for her son's preschool, includes a song about a kid who loves diggin' in the dirt, an anthem praising a child's beloved books, and a busy bee who would rather not bother with bedtime, thank you very much. My personal favorite, Daddy-O, makes me wish brides everywhere would ditch the terrible "Butterfly Kisses" song at their wedding receptions and give this one a twirl.

If her Amazon.com reviews are any indication, Ms. England is living up to her motto - kids are gobbling up her music and parents are unabashedly adding her to their own iPods. And why not? She's that good. And for kids and parents to have a bond like that because of music...well, to me, that's fascinating!