Critter Songs

Offering a pair of critter-friendly music videos, Critter Songs combines live action nature shots and children's artwork with some, at times, very fuzzy wuzzy lyrics. In the opening tune, "Critter Song," kids are encouraged to become various animals, but reminded to learn to be themselves. Apparently, the reminder is aimed at those kids who are in imminent danger of passing into permanent deer, bird, or fish personality. The second song, "All God's Critters Got a Place in the Choir," teaches viewers that all animals have individual voices and each is valuable in the overall scheme of things. Both songs are cute, but the production looks homegrown, and though it might sound rather cold, there's just not enough bang for the buck here. Good intentions aren't enough, especially in a field (well-meaning children's music videos) where commercial companies are offering longer, better, and less expensive choices. An optional purchase. The box lists the audience for Critter Songs as ages 3-12, but we'd revise that to ages 3-8. [Note: this is being sold to individuals at $19.95.] (R. Pitman)