Based on Dini Petty’s The Queen, the Bear, and the Bumblebee
poem, this performance combines a warm narrative delivered by the author herself
with a wonderfully rich soundtrack consisting of original songs and classical
orchestration.
This is Canadian television celebrity Dini Petty’s first foray into children’s
entertainment, and it is an exciting one. The story was conceived when Petty
was faced with the challenge of entertaining at Toronto’s Hospital for Sick
Children. In collaboration with Juno Award-winning composer/producer Mark Goldman
and noted composer and orchestrator Andrew Homzy, an original musical composition
was created to interpret Petty’s poem. The result is a stirring and inspiring
recording that will appeal to both children and parents alike. Perfect for rainy
afternoons or a long car ride, this recording will quickly become a family favorite.
This musical story is "buzzing" with exciting adventures and intriguing characters.
When three friends -- a Queen, bear, and bumblebee -- are granted wishes, they
experiment with changing their identities. In the end, they learn an important
lesson about self-acceptance. The Queen, the Bear, and the Bumblebee celebrates
uniqueness and individuality. When the bumblebee wrestles with the temptation
to change his color, size, and shape, he experiences moments of confusion before
he has an important revelation that prompts him to belt out a triumphant song
entitled "I Am Me". He realizes that if he were to change any of these basic
characteristics, there would be someone who would say, "I don’t like your wings"
– and, in his words, "So I think I’ll stay me with all that I’ve got; I don’t
want to turn into something I’m not." Before this epiphany, the story is filled
with exciting and sometimes amusing moments, including the Bear’s overconfident
performance of "I Am the Man" when he misguidedly becomes wrapped up in his
brand new "grand" appearance.
Most of the recording’s 40 minutes is devoted to the story’s musical performance.
Later, the story is retold without music, and kids are encouraged to follow
the story in their book (sold separately) either by reading along or enjoying
the illustrations, depending on a child’s ability.
The CD retails for $13 Cdn, and a cassette version is also available.
