Reviewed by Lins Honeyman

Acting as a companion to best-selling American author and storyteller Bob Hartman's Rhyming Bible book, this kids' album sees UK musician Sam Hargreaves turn Hartman's words into song to offer up a varied collection of Bible-based numbers that will hopefully help young ones learn more about Scripture. Hargreaves and producer Paul Burton have employed a capable lot to realise this project with Doug Walker, Cathy Burton and Neil Wilson taking on vocal duties whilst the likes of the in demand Dan Wheeler features on guitar. As a result, this is a quality music affair that avoids the cringe factor pitfalls that many kiddies' releases fall into. For instance, some quality cod rock 'n' roll enriches the story of Zacchaeus in "Little Man Up In The Tree" whilst the dance-tinged "The Clip-Clop Beat" offers up a fresh spin on Palm Sunday. Thematically, things are kept fairly broad with big themes such as Moses' early life and Christmas getting coverage in the likes of "The Baby In The Basket" and "It Begins In Bethlehem" whilst the fall of man is tackled with humour in the genuinely chucklesome "A Snake In The Grass" which happens to feature Bob Hartman reading out his skilfully-executed prose.

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