List Price: $15.98
Official URL: putumayokids.com
Rating:

What’s is really so amazing is how Sesame Street, which we all think of as “ours” and all so American, could translate so well into so many other cultures. And since most of us, and parents abroad we would think too, prefer exposing their children to things they are most comfortable with themselves, it seems a testament to just how universal Seasame Street can be.

As you listen to track after track, there is an interesting mix of the familiar and strange at the same time. There are elements of the Sesame Street that we have known for decades that seep through into most if not all of the foreign versions. But those familiar elements are weaved into a pattern of music that is very different than we are used to. For example, we may have a voice that sounds familiar, like Grover for example, but he is speaking FRENCH! Or even more jarringly, a language we are so unfamiliar with we can’t even identify!

This mix is really fascinating and, we think, a wonderful experience for the children who can hopefully grow up feeling more conected to the rest of the world than many have in the past. This is a situation that has traditionally been more true of America than many other parts of the world. And something that this disk, in its own very little way, can help remedy one small child at a time.

The music itself is charming and thoroughly enjoyable–but what were you expecting, huh? It’s Sesame Street. The oddest (and most cool) part of it all comes after you have listened to it a little while and your ear and brain become accustomed to the foreign language renditions. Then all of a sudden an English version comes on and out of nowhere and suddenly that is the version that jars usthe most! This proves we adapt, and so do our wonderful kids. They will love this.

We particularly loved the Track “Sing (a song)” that starts out in all english, but then begins to integrate other languages. This should have been the opening song.

BONUS DVD

The Bonus DVD holds five music videos that take the child to other countries such as Russia, South Africa and Mexico. Subtitles are offered in many different languages, and these videos feature different Sesame Street Characters.

PACKAGING

This CD and DVD are packaged in a brightly colored two-pocket cardboard CD case that features Sesame Street characters. The liner notes are done in multiple different languages. The song lyrics can be downloaded from the Putumayo Kids website.

BOTTOM LINE

It took a little while for us to like this CD, as the different languages start off feeling slightly jarring, but as our ears became accustomed to it, we started to realize exactly how interesting this CD must be to children. It has a strong message of diversity, and shared experience, and it truly gets across one thing. Music is universal.