As an organization, the Parents’ Choice Foundation has created a reputation based on bringing quality products to parents around the world. Every year they go through there huge list of items and award those which standout in their respective categories.
This year, Mike Whitla’s “Dinostory“, was a recipient of the 2011 Parents’ Choice Recommended Award in the Audio category.
Enjoy the great review by Parents’ Choice contributor and judge, Lahri Bond:
“Admittedly, I have a soft spot for children’s albums about dinosaurs, and Dinostory: The Ultimate Dinosaur Rock Opera is one of the best, this dino-savvy listener has heard. Vocalist, guitarist, multi instrumentalist Mike Whitla creates a musical journey back to the Cretaceous period of 100 million years ago, when, yes, dinosaurs ruled the earth!
The story is centered around Terri the triceratops, who was separated from her siblings when she was only an egg. We follow Little Terri’s challenges of finding food and drink, and her surprisingly touching search for a community and a place she can call home. Some of the best musical moments occur as she meet other dinosaurs along her journey. Among others, she encounters plant-eaters who help her out, the wonderful “Jenny the Ankylosaurus,” and a “Stegosaurus,” whose tale is told in one of the album’s most beautiful, tabla driven melodies. The late cretaceous period also had its share of dangers, including the flesh eating T-Rex, whose musical voice bears more than a passing resemblance to Tom Waits. The music is fun, rich and dynamic, with highlights including the rocking “Brachiosaurus,” and the reggae flavored “Plod, Plod, Plod Goes Diplodocus,” (which also includes the proper pronunciation of this perpetually phonetically misunderstood dinosaur).
The songs are well written and accurately researched, and are also slyly educational. That, and they still provide provide a narrative story with some great tunes. The “rock opera” aspect of the album reminds one of a kid friendly version of the bombastic sounds of 70s rocker Meatloaf. The CD comes with a richly illustrated booklet, including all lyrics and a dino-identification chart.”
To check out the review on the Parents’ Choice website, check it out here.
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