Editorial Review:

Amazon.com:
The jewel in the crown in the Music for Little People catalog, Gift of the Tortoise is stunning in its beauty and uncompromising in its delivery of excellence. Expressed from the viewpoint of a very wise tortoise, the lush harmonies of Ladysmith Black Mambazo are supported by renowned guitarist Johnny Clegg and storyteller Gcina Mhlophe, creating a captivating blend of Zulu lore, South African history, and that country's brave optimism in the post-Apartheid era. As the drama unfolds, the listener is drawn into the spell cast by this marvelous group of players as they carry out the chant of ancestral names on 'Two Shelleni,' the folk legend of the 'Boy Who Turned into a Cat,' and the classic 'Mbube (the Lion Sleeps Tonight).' --Paige La Grone









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Disc 1:

1. Introduction - Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Shabalala, Joseph
2. Kanje Kanje - Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Traditional
3. Rain Chant - Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Traditional
4. There Come Our Mothers - Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Traditional
5. Nomyekelo - Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Traditional
6. Finger Dance - Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Traditional
7. Thekwane - Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Traditional
8. Vulani Ringi Ring - Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Mcgina, Sophie
9. Boy Who Turned into a Cat - Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Traditional
10. Paparam Vingo - Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Shabalala, Joseph
11. Shabalala - Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Shabalala, Joseph
12. Two Shelleni - Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Shabalala, Joseph
13. Mbube (Wimoweh) (The Lion Sleeps Tonight) - Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Linda, Solomon
14. Peace Be With You - Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Shabalala, Joseph

Rating: - Excellent children's music with lessons of simple joy and family love
My 4 year old son listens to this CD everynight before going to bed. He has memorized all the songs, including the ones in Zulu. It got him interested in the world map, in Africa, and in various animals like cheetahs and lions. He took note of the boy who turned into a 5-legged cat for picking on and laughing at other people.

He listens intently and sympathetically to the story/song about children who only see their fathers once a year. My son dances with joy, just as one would imagine the children in the stories, would do so upon a happy reunion, or upon receiving a precious dress or some treats that are hard to come by. It has helped introduce my son, at an early age, to be grateful for his situation, and also to admire children around the world who can do with so little.

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Rating: - Excellent and Unique CD
My 5, 3, and 1 year old really enjoyed this CD. We homeschool and did a unit study on Africa and this was a perfect addition!
I have bought and listened to 100's of CD's and this is one of our favorites. It gives African culture, described by the Tortoise (the narrator), in a fun and interesting way. There is an African game on the CD that we just added to our routine of games. It is so cute and is a nice change to ring around the rosie.
I highly recommend this to anyone.

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Rating: - My daughter loves this CD!
My 15 month old daughter listens to this cd each night while in her crib waiting to fall asleep. In the mornings when we are getting her ready for her day she hums/sings the songs and laughs when we sing along. This is a beautiful cd about South Africa and I am thrilled that she enjoys learning about such a meaningful place.

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Rating: - Best of the best
For anyone wishing quality for their children I've yet to find anything better. This is a magical CD. When it was stolen from the car, my son(now 18)requested I reorder it. The voice of the storyteller transports us to places and feelings we've rarely experienced and yet share a common human experience of joy and hope.If I could only purchase one CD for my child - this would be it...and I would be listening.

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Rating: - We Love It!!
I put this on my 19month old daughter's Wish List for Christmas and we just listened to it today. She loved the animal sounds in the beginning and danced to some of the music. It's not something she'll sit down and just listen to as a storytime yet, but I think it will be a timeless addition to our CD collection. As an adult, I enjoyed listening to the stories and the music. A good buy for younger and older children as the music is very rythymic, but not too loud (I think my daughter would have liked it as an infant).