New Zealand Music Month is back again!
May is New Zealand Music Month, which celebrates music from New Zealand, and the people who make it.
So we thought we would share some music, (and picture books) by Kiwi musicians from the children’s collection!
For more information, on events and ideas on how to celebrate, visit the following websites:
NZ Music Month official website.
New Zealand Curriculum Online – New Zealand Music Month.
NZ History – New Zealand Music Month.
Enjoy!… and Happy New Zealand Music Month!
Songs for Bubbas by Anika Moa.
Move over, The Wiggles! There’s a new (solo) performer, cheeky and beautiful Kiwi songwriter, Anika Moa returns with her albums for children: Songs for Bubbas One and Two. Filled with songs about love, laughter and… animal noises that will keep children… and parents entertained for hours on end!
The albums are half Te Reo Maori, half English. These songs will be enjoyed in every primary school and kindy around the country for years to come.
A collection of songs from the NZ Children’s Music Awards performed by various Kiwi musicians.
Homegrown and performed by Wellington City Libraries’ finest, Baby Rock and Rhyme’s CD contains 33 classic songs and rhymes that babies and parents will enjoy!…
Babies, toddlers and parents can also come, and sign along to these songs during the weekly interactive sessions of Baby Rock and Rhyme. Available at the following branches:
| Miramar Library | Tuesday, 10.15am |
| Island Bay Library | Tuesday, 9.30am |
| Johnsonville Library | Wednesday & Thursday, 9.30am |
| Cummings Park (Ngaio) Library | Tuesday, 10.30am |
| Karori Library | Thursday & Friday, 10.30am |
| Ruth Gotlieb (Kilbirnie) Library | Friday, 10.15am |
| Mervyn Kemp (Tawa) Library | Friday, 9.30am |
Topp Twins Series
Kiwi performers, and sisters, The Topp twins have published picture story books for children featuring the illustrated text, and CD of classic children’s song, which includes:
“The traditional song ‘Do Your Ears Hang Low?’, performed by the Topp Twins, featuring a number of animals with differently shaped ears, which includes a hound dog, a mouse, lop-eared rabbit, llama, pig, etc”.
Henry’s bucket has a hole and as Liza gives the instructions on how to fix it, he in turn gives her all the reasons why he can’t.
“”Skip, skip, skip to the loo, Skip, skip, skip to the loo, Skip, skip, skip to the loo, Skip to the loo, my darlin’!” There’s a hullaballoo down on the farm. Animals are here, there and everywhere—even in the loo. Sing along to this song with Topp Twins Lynda and Jools. The barn animal mayhem includes sheep, cows, chickens, dog, tractor, horse – and a possum!”–Publisher information.
“Old MacDonald had a farm, E-I-E-I-O, and on that farm he had some fun and games and DRAMAS with those rascally, rowdy farm animals! Cluck, moo, woof and hum along to this all-time favourite song by the Topp Twins”–Publisher information.
Other NZ picture books, with music CDs:
Jungle bells / sung by Anika Moa ; illustrated by Stephanie Thatcher.”
Based on the traditional Christmas song Jingle Bells but rewritten (to same tune) as a jungle holiday animal Christmas. Featuring a cast of jungle characters including elephants, hippos, monkeys and even a dung beetle. Recording sung by Anika Moa”–Publisher information.
“New Zealand animals all come together to dance to the Kiwi Hokey Tokey. Sheep, Tuataras, Kiwis, you name it!”–From publisher.
You also might like Row, kiwi, row your boat.
An oldie, but a goodie! Winner of the 2010 New Zealand Post Children’s Choice Awards, New Zealand Post Children’s Choice Award, Picture Book Category winner and APRA Children’s Song of the Year, 2008, this very funny, cumulative song, each page tells us something new about the donkey until we end up with a spunky, hanky-panky, cranky, stinky, dinky, lanky, honky-tonky, winky, wonky donkey which will have children in fits of laughter!
You also might like Willbee the Bumblebee. 
Willbee’s yellow and black stripy jumper catches on a thorn and unravels completely, he’s too embarrassed to move. How will he make it home? Suggested level: junior.
An illustrated picture book and CD audio recording of the song ‘Row, row, row your waka. “New Zealand friends Pūkeko, Kiwi and Hōiho go on a journey. Join them in their waka, perform actions and sing along while you row, row, row. “–Back cover.
Non Kiwi Music, (and books) you might enjoy!
Music CDs:
Hits for Kids 2017 features 20 of the hottest hits of the year from some of the biggest names in pop music.
Disney Pixar All time favourites.
Walt Disney Records presents the All Time Favorite songs and scores from favorite Disney-Pixar films in one CD. The album includes music from Toy Story 1, 2, and 3, Cars 1 & 2, Brave, Finding Nemo, and more!
Disney Icon Volume 1,2 3 and 4.
These CDs are part of a series of releases that includes some of Disney’s biggest and best titles from their top animated films.
Picture Books… with CDs:
“Grammy Award winner Pharrell Williams brings his beloved hit song to the youngest of readers in a blend of illustrations and photos of children celebrating what it means to be happy.”–Book jacket front flap.
Footloose / music & lyrics by Kenny Loggins & Dean Pitchford.
In this version of the pop rock song “Footloose,” zookeeper Jack joins the zoo animals in an all-night dance party.
