MANCHESTER, VT ñ A Vermont author has come up with a new way to captivate the inquisitive minds of children, taking them on a magical, musical journey in sight and sound. Two creative, read-along, sing-along book/CD sets by Kathryn Mademann Vaughan are receiving rave reviews for their charming, intriguing illustrations and big, beautiful soundtracks with original, composed music and masterful sound effects.

My Day at the Zoo, a rollicking, multicultural romp through a world of zoo animals featuring indigenous music from their native countries, will delight toddlers, early readers and older children alike. Little One...Good Night, a musical lullaby for babies and toddlers, is the sweet story of a motherís bedtime ritual with her Morgan foal (Vermontís state horse).

"Weíve taken the picture book to a whole new genre," said Kathryn Vaughan, author of My Day at the Zoo and Little One...Good Night. "It opens a new door for childrenís learning and imagination." Both book/CD sets are available through independent publisher Chaser Media of Vermont and Baker & Taylor Distributors. "Larger publishers really havenít tapped into the burgeoning market of childrenís musical learning. With an independent publisher, having quality control and creative control of book and CD is so gratifying, and the final product shows that."

My Day at the Zooís original soundtrack was composed and arranged by Joseph Roda, president of the Palm Beach Orchestra. Vermont artist Donald Martin created playful illustrations in colored pencil ñ capturing the peek-a-boo fun of zoo animals and visitors. The North American black bear is introduced with the mystical sound of the wooden flute, and the drumming and chants of a Native American ceremony. A toucan elicits the beat of the steel pan drum mingled with the sound effects of an oncoming storm in the rain forest.

Vaughanís success with Little One...Good Night ñ a lullaby from Vermont, sparked her interest in creating more book/CDs for the young childrenís market. Little One features a soothing soundtrack and gentle, pastoral scenes of a Vermont farm in winter by acclaimed artist Anhared Edson. Little One has been called a "colorful joy for the eyes" and "a treasure of a book" by Equestrian Magazine.

Parents and educators were as captivated as the kids, offering that "the soundtrack is really powerful, very Disney-like" and "a wonderful and creative idea!" And what do kids have to say? "Itís fun to find the different instruments and animals" and "The penguin is my favorite!"

"Both books speak to a childís creative, inquiring mind through musical learning," said Vaughan. "Children today benefit from exposure to other cultures, languages, music and countries." My Day at the Zoo and Little OneÖGood Night are available as picture book/CD set with a high quality soundtrack CD, retailing for $19.95 each. For more information, call Chaser Media at (802) 362-2992 or visit www.chasermedia.com.