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CM . . . .
Volume V Number 1 . . . . September 4, 1998
The Canada Is For Kids package includes a music book with lyrics, charts for piano, voice and guitar, and commentaries by the author for each of the fourteen songs on his recording. This booklet should prove a very useful guide for teachers who wish to incorporate the material into their curriculum. A bi-lingual colouring book featuring very simple drawings of our Canadian heritage is also part of Mitchell's package.
Ordering information on Canada Is For Kids, and four other recordings by Michael Mitchell is available from: Highly recommended.
Valerie Nielsen is teacher librarian at Bairdmore School in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.
Copyright © 1998 the Manitoba Library Association.
Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice
is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without
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TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THIS ISSUE - SEPTEMBER 4, 1998.
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Michael Mitchell's realization that there was very little opportunity for young people to listen to and sing the songs of our country was the impetus for his recording Canada Is For Kids. What a wonderful mix of Canadian tunes, including favourite folk songs such as "I'se the B'y," "Farewell Nova
Scotia," "V'la l'Bon Vent," and "This Land is My Land," this talented singer/songwriter/storyteller has put together! Two of Mitchell's original songs, "Little Trees" (written for Sesame Street) and "Canada in My Pocket," are interspersed with a dozen traditional tunes on the album. The collection ends with a rollicking rendition of the unabashedly patriotic "Canada is..." leaving the listener with little doubt that this performer considers Canada "Something to Sing About." Michael Mitchell's voice, reminiscent of a young Pete Seeger with overtones of Stan Rogers, is very pleasant to listen to. Tasteful instrumentation (mostly piano, guitar and violin) is simple but effective and never overwhelms the song or the singer. It is just a little disappointing that there are no Manitoba or Saskatchewan songs included in this set, but hopefully a prairie number will turn up in his next recording.