May 5, 2009

Songs from the Garden of Eden

Songs from the Garden of Eden is an awe-inspiring book and CD collection of beautiful mixed-media illustrations, accompanied by nursery rhymes and lullabies spanning the Judaic music tradition.  It will be available in stores throughout North America on Tuesday, May 5. The songs on the 50-minute CD are performed in Hebrew, Yiddish, Arabic and Judeo-Spanish and have marked the cycle of life throughout history.  

Each page of the accompanying picture book, illustrated by Beatrice Alemagna, includes the lyrics to its corresponding song, in the native language (native characters), English transliteration and modern English. Additional notes on each song also make up the 52-page hardcover book.

The 28 songs collected by Nathalie Soussana are interpreted by both children and adults who sing of marriage and childbearing, of the cycle of life and the passing of time. Producers Jean-Christophe Hoarau and Paul Mindy have truly succeeded in embellishing the most melodious accents, highlighting the musicality of the tones. While all the songs belong to the same musical tradition, each has a uniqueness that is particular to its origins. A truly remarkable production !

The Secret Mountain's books and music have touched the hearts of parents and children for years. With multiple awards from Parents’ Choice, NAPPA and Juno Awards, the Montreal-based publishing house has made great children’s entertainment (that parents also love) its stock in trade.

Songs from the Garden of Eden is the latest in a series of music and storybook releases from The Secret Mountain, which also include My Name is Chicken Joe (songs by Trout Fishing in America), Down at the Sea Hotel (lullabies), the Dream Songs, Night Songs world lullaby series and A Duck In New York City (Connie Kaldor).