If you are looking for a sweet cd of multicultural lullabies and nursery rhymes, Songs from the Baobab: African Lullabies & Nursery Rhymes. Representing 11 languages from 10 countries in Central and West Africa, this is a musical collection the whole family can enjoy.

Paris-based musician and educator Chantal Grosléziat recorded these pieces with singers from each culture. Paul Mindy arranged each piece with traditional instruments, including the kora, balafon, kalimba and rain sticks. The lullabies and rhymes make frequent references to animals and the natural world. For example, the Central African Republic lullaby “Dunga” urges the newborn to “take your strength from nature.” Family relationships, and in particular the loss of a parent, are find a place in these songs from cultures where disease, famine and war are part of everyday life. A song from Mauritania tells the baby, “your mother has gone to search for jujubes,” and a piece from Guinea evokes the sad fate of orphans, saying “Sali Wonde, nothing is eternal.”

The artwork in this book is truly beautiful, and I am endeared to the songs. I enjoy them for pure sound without needing meaning, and they create a nice atmosphere in the home when playing as background music.

Unfortunately, I can’t find anything eco-friendly about this product.

Would I buy this product?  Yes.  It would make a nice gift.