Bring Your Baby to Hawaii

Posted on June 27, 2008 by Dr. Dolly Garnecki

Through rhythmic sounds from the islands, of course! Putumayo World Music doesn’t just create cool, eclectic java house sounds for adults, but their Putumayo Kids division has compiled a number of international themed albums perfect to expand your child’s musical appreciation of other cultures and to challenge his rhythmic awareness.

I recently reviewed Hawaiian Playground and I was transported to tropical beaches with turquoise-blue waters and swaying palms–complete with ukeleles, slack keys, and hula dancers. It was obvious that the 50’s rock ‘n roll made a huge impression on the local artists who contributed to this fun and contagious album. Rock, reggae, and folk masterfully weave their way into a lively island jam experience. You’ll find yourself daydreaming along with Joe McDermott’s “Come to Hawaii”.

Don’t be surprised if you find yourself shaking your hips and dancing with your baby as only moms can unabashedly do. I found Calvin was actually more playful and alert during his awake/play times while this album was on. That alertness has nothing to do with the fact that I was dancing the hula while he was smiling at me. Absolutely nothing.

**WIN IT**

Putumayo Kids is offering a copy of Hawaiian Playground to one reader of Traveling with Baby. To enter, visit Putumayo World Music’s Putumayo Kids site and browse their collection of world music albums for little ears. Then, come back to this post and leave a comment relevant to this post. Tell me which Putumayo Kids album you’d like to try and why. Or, tell me about your trip to Hawaii. Whatever you like. Just make it relevant. There are definite brownie points for creativity.

Contest entries are open until 11:59PM on Thursday, 3 July. A winner and two alternates will be selected via random.org and announced on Independence Day on this post and on PrizeyFetch. If you choose to provide your e-mail address, I will contact you via e-mail. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, then the first alternate to e-mail me with shipping information will be selected.

**UPDATE**

Happy Independence Day! Congratulations to the winner:

JenO, on June 30th, 2008 at 1:24 pm Said: “I’d love the African Dreamland (altho any of the dreamland ones would be cool!) Ru doesn’t sleep well without some sort of noise, so it might as well be something I enjoy, too! (and if the lyrics are in english, I have a hard time sleeping)”

Alternates:

Denise, on July 2nd, 2008 at 10:09 am Said: “Aloha! The Hawaiian Playground would be a lot of fun for my daughter.”

katie, on June 28th, 2008 at 9:56 am Said: “I WOULD LOVE THE ANIMAL PLAYGROUND. WE LOVE LISTENING TO MUSIC TOGETHER!”