There is no doubting that kids like both animals and music. So, an album full of songs about animals is sure to appeal to the preschool age group. Farmyard Favourites is just that, with songs about cows, sheep, kangaroos, birds and more.

The songs are performed by ABC for Kids personalities - the Hooley Dooleys, the stars of Play School, the Bananas in Pyjamas, Don Spencer and others - and come from albums previously released by each of these groups.

With a farmyard theme, there is also an Australian feel to the album with the inclusion of songs such as Bob the Kelpie, Kookaburra Sits in the Old Gum Tree and Click Go the Shears. There are also traditional nursery rhymes including Little Bo Beep and Baa Baa Black Sheep and plenty of humour with songs like Redback on the Toilet Seat.

This collection is fun for kids and won't grate on adult listeners (with, perhaps, the one esception being a slightly annoying rendition of the Birdie Dance), who may well find themselves singing along. The cover is cute and eye catching, although those who are Wiggles fans may be a little bit confused. The farmer on the cover illustration is speaking through a megaphone, with the words Calling All Cows prominent in larger font than the CD's title. The Wiggles have a song entitled Calling All Cows, which would fit into the theme of this album but is not included, despite the cover instantly bringing that song to mind.

This is only a small thing and doesn't really detract from the album, which is a lively, enjoyable offering.

Farmyard Favourites, ABC Music, 2005