Dog Train: A Wild Ride on the Rock-and-Roll Side (Book & CD)

My son (age 3) got this for Christmas from his Aunt. The first time I listened to it, I hated it and put it away. I couldn't believe my sister got it for him. After a few months we took it out and gave it a second shot. We actually listened to the whole thing this time and discovered some really good songs on it. I was a little turned off because the first song is about someone who cries No, No, No and has some kind of tantrum throughout the whole song. There is also a song about someone who doesn't want to eat broccoli and says he won't try it throughout the whole song. My son is a very picky eater and I surely didn't want him listening to this song. At the end, the person tries the broccoli and likes it, but it is at the very, very end of the song. I had to make sure to point this "positive" side of the song out to my little guy or he would have missed it. When you finally get to song #3 "Dog Train" you see why the CD is such a hit. This song is actually very good. My son is a huge train fan so this song was an immediate hit with him. It is very upbeat and the words are very cute and funny. So are the next two songs, "Sneakers" and "Cow Planet". Sneakers is probably my favorite. It's about a bear who will only wear his favorite pair of sneakers or go "bare foot". My son now goes to sleep listening to this and makes sure he takes it with him to listen to on every car ride. My 1 year old actually yells until I put it on in the car now also. I can see his little head moving back and forth once the music starts. It is starting to get a little tired to listen to over and over again for me but it definitely beats his other silly song CDs. I've given this book/CD as a gift also to a 5 year old and it was a huge hit for her as well. If you want something on the rock and rollish side of music (not Jazz or Broadway) and are tired of the same old kids silly songs, I would definitely give this CD a shot.

My husband, daughter and I LOVE LOVE LOVE Philadelphia Chickens so we figured we should try another one of these CD's. Well, sadly this was a big let down. I thought it would be more rock and roll and it was more like alternative rock and roll or something else entirely. It was weird.
There were a few songs worth listening to, but overall we don't like it and will probably never listen to it again. I am going to try Rhino Tap next. I hope it's better than this was.

We were introduced to this book by some friends whose children were singing the songs with LOTS of heart at a party! Now my son does the same thing. He loves the songs in this book and so do mom & dad. It is quite amuzing and has provided many hours of entertainment. Be careful, because you just might find yourself humming a little tune from this book. My 3 1/2 year old son sings out loud and puts on a performance singing and dancing to the music. This is a great book!

After being a huge fan of Philadelphia Chickens for a long time (we've had it for years and it is still my 3 kids #1 request when it's time to dance) I am amazed they love Dog Train just as much. We've owned it for only 2 weeks, and already it has been downloaded to their MP3 players (a gift to the 8- and 6-year-olds from Santa) and is a must-have in the family van for long trips. Their favorites are the Star Wars trilogy (Cow Planet #1, #2, #3), Tantrum, and the title track, Dog Train, which my oldest son sings the refrain to when he thinks that nobody is listening. Sandra Boynton is a extremely clever and humorous lyrics writer and the variety of artists makes this a very fun CD to listen to. The only track my kids have never taken to, and which we skip every time, is the Steve Lawrence/Edye Gorme song aptly titled "The Boring Song."

My kids (ages 4, 8, and 11) and I love this CD! The older kids understand and enjoy the lyrics in songs such as "I Need a Nap." "Boring Song" is a hit with my 5th grade girl scouts. The "Penguin Lament" is my favorite and I find myself enjoying it when I'm alone in the car even. "Wave Bye-Bye" is very catchy. We skip the slow songs, but they would be great for baby lullabyes... we're just past that stage. Songs such as "Dog Train" and "Penguin Lament" could be any pop tune of the day, but the silly lyrics give them away as kiddie music. Fun for the whole family!!
For the reviewer who didn't like it and had a 17 month-old baby... just wait till the kid's about 4 or 5 and then it will be fun!