The kids and I have been listening to XM Kids almost exclusively for weeks now, so when Mothertalk offered the chance to review a new CD and DVD geared towards kids ages 0-5 “and the grownups that love them” I jumped at the chance.

The first time I listened to the CD I put it in while the kids and I worked to clean the oldest boy’s room in preparation for his little brother to move in last weekend. The kids asked what kind of music it was and I told them it was for kids and they went on about their business. There was no dancing or singing but they didn’t ask for it to be turned off either, and believe me, my kids would if it irritated them.

The music was okay. Nothing offensive but nothing terribly catchy either. I suppose it wasn’t quite what I was expecting, given its billing as appealing to grownups too. I guess my tastes in music haven’t matured all that much.

It’s actually very soothing. Nothing cutting edge to write home about, though. But keep in mind, this is music for the toddler and preschool set, it probably shouldn’t be edgy.

Later that night the kids had a “sleep over” in the now clean room and we put the DVD with the videos that accompanied the music CD in to play as a special one time treat. The kids never get to watch TV while going to sleep. Ever.

Like the CD, the DVD is very soothing with lots of video of children frolicking, spinning, and graphics swirling. (I recognized quite a few design and graphic elements from istock.)

The kids quickly fell asleep, they were down for the count.

The music includes covers of some great artists like Fleetwood Mac, Paul Simon, Joni Mitchell, Natalie Merchant, The Beatles, The Pretenders, and Neil Diamond. The music is accoustic, and has been dialed down, softened to appeal to preschoolers, toddlers, and babies.

Today I asked the kids if they enjoyed listening to the CD and watching the videos and they all agreed that they liked the music (although opinions were waffling back and forth regarding the puppets in one song).

I’ll definitely keep the CD and DVD on hand for a quick calming fix as it seemed to sooth the kids into a trance like state—and that’s saying something when it can calm my three year old that much—but it’s not something I expect to listen to or watch every day.

If soothing is something you are into in kids music this is definitely the music for you. Visit That Baby DVD and enter the coupon code “MotherTalk” when purchasing and save 20% on your entire order!

Also, from now until May 18th, all orders using the coupon code “MotherTalk” will be entered in a drawing to win a new iPod nano. And who doesn’t want to win a free iPod?

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