David Schiller’s Christmas edition of his well-known Car-I-Oke series seems to touch on everything a family would need to make the trip over the river and through the woods.
Summary of the Kit
The kit comes with one main book that consists of 55 pages. The book contains carol lyrics, carol history, a fill-in-the-blank activity to write a unique “12 Days of Christmas,” car activity ideas, voice training advice, and interesting Christmas facts. The black and white illustrations, by Tim Robinson, are cute and add interest to each pageThe book contains enough entertainment for a decent-length trip.
The kit also comes with three lyric booklets that are slightly larger than a typical CD cover, making it easier for little hands to grasp. They are labeled “Backseat Edition,” “Way Back Edition,” and “Extra Edition.” The main 55-page book has lyrics as well, making a total of four books available. The four lyric books make one booklet available for each row of even the largest passenger vehicles.
The CD is included and has 19 songs:
1. We Wish You a Merry Christmas
2. Joy to the World
3. Angels We Have Heard on High
4. Deck the Halls
5. Must Be Santa
6. Good King Wenceslas
7. Go, Tell It On the Mountain
8. Jingle Bells
9. The Night Before Christmas Car-I-Oke
10. Bah, Humbug!
11. The Twelve Days of Christmas
12.-14. The Nutcracker
15. The “O” Medley
16. Silent Night
17. The Halelujah Chorus
18. Auld Lang Syne
19. O Little Town of Bethlehem
20. O Holy Night
21. O Come, All Ye Faithful
22. O Christmas Tree
The CD, while being easy to sing along with, is obviously synthesized on the computer. The sound quality leaves much to be desired and the instruments don’t sound much more advanced than a Finale music notation software file.
The background voices sound good enough to seem mismatched with the electronic-sounding accompaniment. The makers have not forgotten cute little touches of jingle bells and unique takes on favorite carols. Of particular note are the banjo country version of “Good King Wenceslass” and the rap “The Night Before Christmas.”
Entertainment for Everyone
Overall, the kit is well-made, anticipates what children want and need. The songs are varied enough that children could be entertained for long periods of time. The main book is educational by providing singing tips and carol history.
The kit sells for between $12 and $15.95 online, and the price seems to be worth it for a peaceful trip home for the holidays.
Christmas Sing-Along Car-I-Oke by David Schiller (Workman Publishing, New York: 2005, ISBN: 978-0-7611-3984-3)
Amy Schumaker - Amy is a young musician based out of Philadelphia. A native of northeast Ohio, she went to Capital University Conservatory of Music, where ...
