Catfish Hodge and his cast of bayou critters, who make Adventures At Catfish Pond an educational treat for kids. With music provided by the Endangered Species Orchestra ("They go to bat for the habitat!"), Catfish and friends dispense advice on how to treat each other, how to find good in all things and even how to count to 10.
Some of it may be a bit PC for some parents: In "Bowl of Fruit," offered as an anthem for budding vegetarians, Hodge advises:"First thing in the morning, fill yourself a bowl of fruit. ... I'm not talkin' scaloppini ... no green eggs and ham." Funny stuff, but maybe Junior likes his gritts and pigs-in-a-blanket every so often! Another gastronomic number, "Pancake Man," is a Cajun-driven ode to a man who could flip flapjacks like no one else in the bayou. Banjo and mandolin licks fuel an excellent intro to bluegrass music. "Down Where the Bluegrass Grows," which helps kids learn about the important traditional sounds of mountain folk music. The last tune, a lullaby sweetly titled "Dreamy Time Time," is a perfect bedtime song for parents and children to sing together: WArm images of restful sleep and dreamy flight make yawning irresistable. Another A-plus for executive producer Lieb Ostrow, who is responsible for this fine release.
In this boob-tube jungle of goofy green dinosaurs, karate-kicking space rangers and demonic evil-doers, this release is truly a breath of fresh air for parents finding it harder to provide entertainment that they can feel good about for their children. ED IVEY