Working with several extraordinary day care centers, preschools, and the amazing staff members of these family-friendly “homes-away-from-home”, Lisa Monet gathered the material for this album, “Circle Time 2” and field-tested all the songs with the children and their grownups. At her concerts and programs, she selected the songs---including the ones she wrote---for their audience appeal and their inviting, join-a-long qualities. This collection for the very young features songs from several categories. Story songs: The Bear Went Over the Mountain, Tickles the Cat, Animal Fair; counting songs: Roll Over, Peter Hammers, Little Elephants; quiet time songs: I Love You –No matter what, Minnie and Winnie; movement songs: Shake Your Boompa, Baby, Jump Down!; and just-plain-silly songs: Pop Goes the Weasel, My Father is a Baker; plus many more. With fresh arrangements and engaging vocals and instrumentation, Lisa Monet’s style is appealing to both children and adults. Produced with her husband, Rick St. Charles, who is the recording engineer and accompanying musician on guitar, bass, percussion and sound effects, each of these albums is influenced by the couple’s two children plus many of the children they’ve worked with in schools and music programs. “It’s important to me that the songs I share are positive, life-affirming, and respectful of each individual and family. Coming from a position of caring and kindness, we can explore through music all the fun and the fantasy, the silly and the serious.” “Circle Time 2” has been digitally re-mastered and is now available for the first time as MP3s and digital downloads. Formerly titled “Jump Down”, this collection has received many glowing reviews like this one: “Another outstanding collection of original and traditional songs by Lisa Monet. Among the best recordings for children we have heard. The selection of songs, the lush harmonies and musical accompaniment are first-rate. Highly recommended!” KIDDYCART, Tampa, FL (former catalog company) Background notes and trivia from the engineer: The inspiration for “Circle Time” and “Circle Time 2” came from our son Matt, who was attending pre-school and would come home singing snatches of songs we couldn't identify. When we asked Merilee Owen, the school director, what he was singing, she laughed: "So many parents ask that, I wish someone would record an album of our circle time songs!" Our first recording studio was set up in our laundry room--the washer and dryer provided a wonderfully natural reverb. Matt would wander in and out while we were recording, pause to listen, and occasionally laugh or comment on the songs. We liked these spontaneous interjections so much we decided to leave a few in. On ‘’Circle Time” on "This Old Man" you can hear him chirp, "Hey, Mommy!" at :28, then "That's nice!" at :36, followed by laughter at 1:02 and more comments. On "Two Little Blackbirds", you'll hear his laugh at :11. On “Circle Time 2” he announced that "Peter Hammers" is "Loud!" at :56, and "Too loud!" at 1:06. On “My Best Friend” Lisa's song "Wiggly-Ohs" was inspired by Matt. You can hear him laugh at the end of it. He performed officially on three selections on this CD: solos on"Misty Moisty Morning", and "I See the Moon"; and "Candy Man", which is an echo song with Lisa. A secret we've never revealed: Matt’s child voice—so sweet and pure, wasn’t quite up to a “scat” line at 1:55, so that's actually Lisa doing it.