Tiny Treasury

By Sandra Boynton

Energetic, moody, and unpredictable new songs written and illustrated by the energetic, moody, and unpredictable Sandra Boynton. And performed by the most unusual mix of legendary musicians imaginable.

 Full of attitude, full of fun, all lit up with star power, and boasting a variety of Top 40 styles—rock and roll, blues, hip-hop, and power pop—Dog Train is the third book-and-CD production by Sandra Boynton. 

Blues Traveler, replete with John Popper wailing on his harmonica, rides the rails for the driving title track about, yes, dogs on board a midnight train where “Kittycats are not allowed/ …/ their ears in the breeze/ …/ Their cold, wet, happy,/ quiv’ring noises outside.”

Mark Lanegan takes the octave down a few notches with his deep and bluesy rendition of “Sneakers” about the favorite footwear that’s both comfy and quiet.

The 1960s British invasion star Billy J. Kramer sounds every bit up-to-date as he blasts off on the spaceship song “Cow Planet.”

And who would’ve thunk that actress Kate Winslet and novelty performer “Weird Al” Yankovic could pull off a sunny and theatrically emotive duet on “I Need a Nap?”

There are no clunkers here; other highlights include numbers by Alison Krauss, Spin Doctors, Hootie and the Blowfish and Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme (hilariously singing the “Boring Song”). A knockout listen, in all the best ways, for the whole family. Like the songs, Boynton’s book showcases her signature zippy sense of humor and loveable critters. It also includes complete lyrics and music for each number and brief profiles of all the performers. 

Track List: 

1. Spin Doctors throw a Tantrum 
2. The O.K. Chorale presents Thus Quacked Zarathustra 
3. Blues Traveler rocks the Dog Train 
4. Mark Lanegan sings Sneakers 
5. Billy J. Kramer narrates and sings Cow Planet (3 episodes!) 
6. Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme croon Boring Song 
7. The Bacon Brothers and Mickey Hart clang Pots & Pans 
8. Kate Winslet and “Weird Al” Yankovic sing I Need a Nap 
9. Alison Krauss sings Evermore 
10. John Ondrasik of Five For Fighting sings Penguin Lament 
11. The Phenomenauts rock out (Don’t Give Me That) Broccoli 
12. Rob Hyman and Eric Bazilian perform Dragonfire 
13. Doshie Luther sings Wave Bye-Bye 
14. Hootie & The Blowfish rock and rock Rock to Sleep 54 

Great performances, great music, great illustrations–now arriving on Tracks 1 through 17.

All Abooooooooard!