Open Your Heart America

It's refreshing to see a music video that doesn't openly advocate bondage, destruction of property, or murdering one's parents. On the contrary, Open Your Heart, America asks that we work towards becoming a kinder, gentler nation. The creation of Heartsong, a husband and wife singing/songwriting team featuring Gaia and Ed Tossing, the program is separated into two sections. Part 1 consists of the music video "Open Your Heart, America," in which Gaia Tossing sings and signs the song while collecting children and adults of various ethnic groups on her walk. Along the way, she stops and sings to an elderly homeless woman, and later the group plants trees. In Part II, viewers learn the American Sign Language signs that are used during the song. A lyric sheet and guide to the signs are included along with the $19.95 version of the videotape. The $49.95 package includes the video, an audiocassette featuring the musical accompaniment, sheet music, and worksheets (not seen). Young people will naturally be drawn to this colorful and buoyant video, and may well develop an interest in learning more about sign language. Recommended. (Available from: Heartsong, P.O. Box 2455, Glenview, IL 60025; (800) 648-0755, ext. #7.)