Linda Yapp brings important social values and the legacy of Fred Rogers together in this album that aims to enchant and empower.
With many social events that have shaken up the planet this past year, the place is once again divided and searching for someone to look up to who can not only inspire them and show them where to go, but also provide words of reassurance, encourage, and hope, and be like a person that you can turn to when the world has you down and someone you can share your hopes and dreams with. That person, without a doubt, has to be Linda Yapp.
Having been released in March of this year, at the onset of the Russo-Ukrainian conflict and in the midst of political turmoil in the United States and the deaths of influential leaders, this is perhaps the most relevant and inspiring children's music album to ever come out. The reasons are very clear once you give it a very close listen.
Centered around themes of social, racial, and environmental justice, as well as embracing diversity and individuality, Linda takes listeners back to the good old days when Mister Rogers was a friend that many children across generations, providing love, care, and reassurance. In fact the entirety of this rather splendiferous album is full of songs that I'm certain Fred Rogers himself would be very proud of, as Linda wholeheartedly crafted a selection of lullabies that reassure and inspire children of all ages and their families to have a big caring heart, embrace people's inner talents, and work together to create a peaceful loving world.
Every single song in this album and every single detail in it, from titles right down to the lyrics have been created from a very loving heart and is very thoughtfully crafted to ensure that families can not only listen, but also learn and embody the values seen in this album. Even the cover art was a labor of love, and is very reminiscent of some well-loved children's storybooks from the likes of E. B. White and Beatrix Potter, and just like a well-loved fairy tale, it beckons you to explore the wonderful world contained in this album and imagine a world where all are one.
This really has to be the year's best and most touching children's music album, for all the many reasons that I have listed it and more.
