He sings, too?

As you may recall, I've got a bit of a crush on author Neil Gaiman. Today I’ve been obsessively listening to “Nighty Night” by 8in8, the self-described “world’s least super supergroup" (comprised of lyricist Gaiman with musicians Amanda Palmer, Ben Folds, and Damian Kulash). The album was written, recorded, released for download, and performed live—all in about 24 breakneck hours for Berklee College of Music’s Rethink Music conference. It is actually pretty super, with six fabulously quirky songs on such varied topics as origami, Nikola Tesla, and squirrel suicide. Neil Himself sings the final track, “The Problem with Saints,” in which a resurrected Joan of Arc causes a ruckus in the park. Proceeds benefit Berklee City Music Network; set your own price/donation to download here.

In other Neil news: the deadline for submissions to win a part in HarperCollins's full-cast audio recording of American Gods is Monday, May 2. Learn more, enter, and vote for your favorite contestant here.

—Katie Bircher

Squeak by growl

I have to say I laughed when the audiobook edition of Jerry Pinkney's famously wordless The Lion and the Mouse came into the office. But the production is from Weston Woods and I should have known better. While faithfully and realistically reproducing the sound effects that constitute the only printed text in the book, the CD is also awash with atmospheric African vocal music (by Sazi Dlamini, although more info about the music would have been welcome) and unobtrusive background noises that bring the sounds of the Serengeti to a viewing of the book. The CD includes both a version with page turn signals and one without, and I am still trying to wrap my head around just how you might proceed with that second one. An additional track features Jerry Pinkney talking about his life and work.

--Roger Sutton

Newbery shocker!

What?? Glee: The Beginning isn't even an honor book? I know! Shocking. And I wouldn't have even brought it up (mostly because a novel based on a TV show that's successful due to the fabulous musical numbers doesn't have much to offer -- even if it does include a "Gleetastic Poster Inside"), but when we received ALA's spring 2011 graphics catalog in the office, and I saw this:

I remembered that I'd promised Katie I'd write something about the damn book. The trouble is, as much as I love the show (or loved the show -- I think it's lost its way) and the characters, I can't get past the first few pages of the novel. Exhibit A:

"Rachel Berry paused outside the door to Principal Figgin's office just long enough to straighten her kneesocks and smooth down the sides of her corduroy skirt. Her bright white button-down and pink-and-green argyle sweater-vest seemed to scream overachiever..."

I rest my case.

-- Kitty Flynn

Merry Christmakwanzukkah!

I have to admit, my initial response to Mark Binder's CD A Holiday Present! Christmas, Kwanzaa, Chanukah, Ramadan, Diwali, Solstice, New Year's (Light Publications) was unenthusiastic. The carefully non-denominational cover illustration and the tagline "Warm, joyful, and fun adventures celebrating giving and family" had me bracing for some seriously touchy-feely PC crap. Includes "We Wish You a Merry Multicultural End of Year Holiday Season" hit single? Gimme a break.

I was relieved to discover that this collection of family-oriented holiday stories ranges from silly to thoughtful, with just a hint of subversion. Binder explains his inspiration for the song "We Wish You..." with the story "The Little Drummer Boy Medley," in which he and his Christmas-abstaining family suffer through a seemingly never-ending Xmas muzak medley -- on the day after Thanksgiving. "And they didn't even do the David Bowie and Bing Crosby version!" Some tales (like "The Gold Coins") have a traditional feel about them; others (e.g., "The Boy Who Hated Potato Latkes") are clearly Binder originals. Plenty of wacky voices and places to chime in will engage little listeners. Just as importantly, adults can listen with kids without being hit over the head by morals or contracting deadly Raffi-itis.

Binder says, "One of the things that we do around the holidays is -- in order to keep warm -- we tell stories, because stories fill our minds and spirits." Having grown up in a family whose Thanksgiving celebration always includes Arlo Guthrie's "Alice's Restaurant", it feels like a good combination to me. But even if you don't normally make storytelling a part of your Festivus festivities, A Holiday Present! does make a nice break from "The Little Drummer Boy."

-- Katie Bircher