Wednesday Words

Word Weaver, Sandra Boynton

August 24, 2011
Sandra Boynton with her chickens

If you’ve never heard of Sandra Boynton, you are missing out.  Most parents have either seen Boynton’s children books or heard her CDs.  She has also designed numerous greeting cards.  What I love most, though, are her songs.  Here’s a woman who has beautifully combined her eclectic taste in music with a love of language and a big dose of good ole fashioned silliness.   

I hereby nominate Ms. Boynton for my own Word Weaver Award (in the category of lyrics): 

Word Weaver Award

When Ms. Boynton came out with her acclaimed book and music CD, The Philadelphia Chickens, I bought it at the recommendation of a friend.  After which I had to go back and purchase Rhinoceros Tap and next Dog Train.  I haven’t acquired her latest music CD, Blue Moo, although I’m assured it’s a must-have. 

Ms. Boynton teamed up with Michael Ford on these CDs to produce high quality, fun music with great lyrics sung by a wide range of entertainers – including The Bacon Brothers, Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gormé, Laura Linney, Patti LuPone, Scott Bakula, Meryl Streep, The Spin Doctors, Alison Krauss, John Ondrasik of Five for Fighting, Hootie & the Blowish, Neil Sedaka, and Brian Wilson. 

One of my personal favorites is Kevin Kline singing Busy, Busy, Busy.  What do you think? (Okay, wanting to scream. Link doesn’t work because Franklin Covey Planners bought the rights to the video to demonstrate something about time management to corporate people. Ugh. My kids loved that video.)

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_TSf3TuECw&feature=player_embedded&w=500]

I contend that lovers of language of all ages – from child to geezer – can enjoy the lyrics and music woven by Boynton and sung by a slew of the talented performers. 

Here are a few more: 

Davy Jones of the Monkees singing Your Personal Penguin

[youtube=http://youtu.be/h-sGDe-yMKs&w=500]

 B.B. King singing One Shoe Blues

[youtube=http://youtu.be/J8rLuk2PoMA&w=500]

Adam Bryant singing The Shortest Song in the Universe

[youtube=http://youtu.be/8r523meU_lw&w=500]

If you’re looking for some language and music fun for your kids (or just you), I highly recommend Sandra Boynton’s CD’s.  Of course, her books and cards are fun too. 

Do you have any favorites of hers?  What other singers or composers have music aimed at children that even adults will love?  Who would you nominate as a brilliant Word Weaver?