Really Rosie (1975 Television Special)
Carole King's 11 songs for the "Really Rosie" TV special (it originally aired in 1975) came from characters found in Maurice Sendak's booksThe Sign on Rosie's DoorandNutshell Library, but it can easily be argued that the characters never really lived until given voice by King. Ostensibly the story of Rosie--a little girl from Avenue P, who, dontcha know, is a star just waiting to be discovered--there are other delightful characters here, including Johnny ("who lived by himself and liked it like that!") and Pierre (who learns to care after being eaten by a lion). There are also a couple of straight-up educational songs: one an alphabet song (the wonderfully alliterative "Alligators All Around"), the other a calendar song ("Chicken Soup with Rice"). Great music that's delightful for children and parents alike, Really Rosie remains a family favorite for all the right reasons.--Randy Silver