French Playground

Yes! A very helpful feature with this CD is a fine set of liner notes, including English translations of the lyrics for each song. Nor are these songs like 'Frere Jacques' or 'Pont d'Avignon' (nursery rhyme music.) 'Les Coccinelles' turns out to be a poetic flight of imagination sparked by a ladybug! 'Je Voudrais Etre Extraordinaire' is (mis)translated and would better read as 'I would like to be extraordinary (when I grow up.)' The song is about wishing for great accomplishment in some field and several suggestions are offered. Another song is about a family road trip full of wonderful things to snap photos of. Ice skating provides the theme for another number...and so it goes.Eclectic and unusual themes of interest to young people are presented with 'adult-level' sophisticated musical accompaniments that grab and hold a listener's interest. I liked 'Monsieur Bibendum' because of its bouncy, jazzy vocal harmonies. The vocalists also mimic trombone-like effects as they evoke the roundy-cheerful Michelin tire icon of that name. The idea here is that people come in all shapes and sizes. Much of this is 'toe-tapping' stuff!If my French were better, I would LOVE this set!

My children are growing up tri-lingual (French comes from me)so my purpose was as much for education as for entertainment. I am very happy on both accounts - the music is very catchy, my young children (6 and 2) just dance along, and there are many opportunities to learn new words. Nothing inappropriate in the lyrics - although I think I savor them more than my children do.I do have to say that most traditional children French songs are just as catchy and lyrics usually tend towards the absurd or 'politically incorrect'(like the lark you pluck over and over again...) - which is what makes them so interesting and fun! Generations of French children have grown up quite soundly with those songs. Come to think of it, maybe the lady who was worried about the lyrics actually uncovered what's wrong with my countrymen - it is the songs we learn as kids that mess up our heads irreversibly! ;-)

This is a fantastic collection of cool songs that are entirely enjoyable for all age groups! The CD is currently on repeat in my stereo's CD changer because I happen to love it so much. My son is only 4 months old, but he appears to like the melodies and he enjoys my enthusiasm as I sing along, dance and make faces for him.To address the negative review, I think that's just a misunderstanding. Take "Mr. Bibendum" for example. It's a song about a guy who is big because he enjoys fine food (not McDonald's junk) and who has stopped letting society tell him how he should feel about his body- his wife likes him and that's all that matters! I found that to be a surprisingly positive message from a song coming out of France where, let's face it, anybody who's lived there can tell you they can be less than diplomatic about things like weight and appearance.As for "Wonderful," it's a song about a guy who doesn't want to melt into the background, who wants to make something of his life whether "in sports or business," and who wants to be extraordinary so that people will take notice of him. What's wrong with that? Again, I think this is a misunderstanding- especially since the English translation differs very subtly in feeling from the original French.Other songs have wonderful messages like environmental conservation, family togetherness, finding happiness in small things and appreciation of nature.This is a CD full of such cute songs- some playful, some touching, all very catchy. You will definitely find yourself singing along!

Increasingly, and delightfully, children's music is no longer stuck in the "cutesy" world of MIDI-accompanied nursery rhymes. Artists such as Ralph Covert, Milkshake, and Gwendolyn and the Good time Gang are giving us parents something we don't mind listening to in heavy rotation. The "Playground" series of CDs is a welcome addition to this library of intelligent kids' music. Varied selections, some very unconventional, all delightful. This French-themed release comprises some great songs, well played, and I admit I've borrowed it on occasion for my car!

It is definitely French music but the songs are too long and too fast for kids. Perhaps if it was for a primary french speaking kids...?

I am using this in my car to help me learn French. I like that there are several different voices to listen to. I just wish the French lyrics were included. I have had to look them up online. I like that they don’t really sound like kids songs and I can listen to it often without getting sick of it.

I hope little Lyla is listening and learning the language. She is half French, and her parents want to take her there when she is older. The music is fun and full of life. As I am learning the language, and will always be learning it, I listened to it first and read the liner notes with lyrics, bilingual. It passed my test as good enough pour une petite fille.

Very nice! I use this at some of my art shows. The crowd is attracted to the playfulness of the tracks. It is all in FRENCH. So just know this when you purchase it. There is no in no interpretation. This was the only thing plus the casing that made me give the product 1 less star it deserved. However, WE are very pleased with the musical part!

I can't fault this CD, it is fantastic. I have a 6 year old, a 4 year old and a 2 year old. This album was on repeat play for months and the kids have picked up and started singing along to the tunes, which are a lot of fun - very catchy and contemporary and original but very french in character. The songwords and translations are provided in a little booklet so you can learn about the songs and their meanings, and there is a little explanation about the artist. I have bought this several times over, and given it away as a gift to friends.Learning French in school or pre-school is all very well, but to really feel the french language, you can't beat a cracking singalong, and this is a sheer joy to singalong to :-) Learning languages comes easiest when it is fun, and on that level, this gets 5* all round.

Unexpectedly lively and amusing tunes backed by great music. The only problem is the songs are much too complex for children to learn the words.

This is a collection of French songs from around the world. Although it's designed for children, adults will enjoy them too. The lyrics come with the CD, which is great for picking out what's actually being sung. Learning to sing the songs properly will help the listener improve their French and kids will pick up words without really thinking about it - for example from just listening to the first song, you'll find out that "chatouiller" means "to tickle"... Well worth the money.

if you have kids, buy it!

quick delivery, good purhase