It’s no secret that children’s music can make a lengthy trip in the car a lot easier to bear. Pop a CD in, get the whole family to sing along and before they can ask “are we there yet,” you’re there. Of course you can use any CD for kids--it doesn’t need to be specifically designed for travelling, but ABC Music’s new Travelling Tunes is cutely themed and a good gift to give a child before a long journey. The CD contains 21 songs on a travelling theme, with many well known favourites such as “Little Red Wagon,” “Froggy Went a Courtin’,” "Row, Row, Row Your Boat,” “She’ll Be Coming Round the Mountain,” or “The Wheels on the Bus,” all of which should have children (and parents) singing along instantly.

Others may be less familiar, like “Travelling,“ or doctored versions of familiar songs like “On a Bicycle” or “Twinkle Twinkle Motor Car, ” which actually had my children laughing at the “broom broom chugga chuggas.“ The songs are bouncy and energetic, with driving beats and sweetly sung lyrics which will ensure that children are well aware that these are songs for them. The voices of the singers are pleasant enough to appeal to parents, and everything is light and catchy--perfect for keeping the mood positive during lengthy trips. It is all styled for the very young, and although older children and adults can join in, this is definitely a CD targeted at preschool aged children and younger, particularly children who love trains, cars, boats, bicycles, and automobiles. Even hobby horses and rockets get a mention.

You don’t need to be travelling to enjoy the music either. This is good for transportation themed birthday parties, or just for listening to, dancing, or singing along. Some of the songs can get a little irritating to parents with their repetitive electronic beats (especially Twinkle, but I have to admit that Twinkle can be irritating anyway, especially if your child is learning music by Suzuki method), but this won’t bother your children, and it is definitely less irritating than the sound of children fighting. Occasional irritating back beat aside, this is a nice, well rounded collection which will have the whole family singing together in the car. Travelling Tunes is available from all ABC shops or online via www.abcshop.com.au

Travelling Tunes
ABC Music
Produced by John Kane
February 2005, CD $A14.95srp, Cassette, $A9.95

This review first appeared at Preschoolentertainment.com. It appears here with permission.