Book Nook: Smart Kidz Christmas Titles

I recently had a chance to review some new Christmas titles from Smart Kidz, freshly redesigned with improved sound quality! This children's series now uses ClearSound XL Sound Chip Technology, so you get crystal-clear music – along with darling illustrations – in the following sing-along books:

• O Little Town of Bethlehem celebrates the birth of Jesus through the joy of a beloved Christmas carol. As you listen to the carol, you can read the ancient story of the first visitors who traveled to Bethlehem to worship the Christ Child. Inspired by this traditional carol, "O Little Town of Bethlehem" features new rhyming verses that give meaning to the wonderful traditions of Christmas.
• The song, "Silent Night," was composed in 1818 in Austria by Mohr and Gruber. It remains one of the most popular Christmas carols of all time. Silent Night commemorates the birth of the Christ child in humble surroundings. Inspired by the traditional carol of the same name, the lyrics in this version of "Silent Night" feature new rhyming verses that give contemporary meaning to the wonderful traditions of Christmas.
• "Jingle Bells," composed by James Pierpoint in 1857, is one of the most popular Christmas songs of all time. During the winter in pre-automobile days, a horse-drawn sleigh was the typical way to get around town. To avoid collisions at blind intersections, it was common to adorn horses' harnesses with straps that had bells attached. Inspired by this popular Christmas song, Jingle Bells will engage children's imaginations as they take a magical sleigh ride in the snow at Christmastime. 
• Inspired by the classic Christmas carol, Joy to the World features a sound chip and light that play when the book is opened. Joy to the World celebrates the birth of Jesus and introduces little ones to His universal message of loving, giving, and caring. This interactive book features a glow light and an instrumental rendition of the carol, which makes it easy for you and your child to sing along. 

I was very impressed with the sound from the books I saw. It's not the tinny, canned noise that sound books used to have when I was growing up. The new verses were well-done - some people may not appreciate the new words, if they're used to the old ones, but it provides a fresh interpretation on old Christmas carols, and I think it enhances their beauty (although I'll probably stick to singing what I know when I'm not looking at the book).