Animated Short Tells of the Secret Life of Fred the Cat

Video

Famous Fred. Sony Wonder, Doors of Wonder Series. 30 minutes. $13. For children and adults. https://www.sonywonder.com/.

“Our cat Freddy’s dead. He died of cat flu.” A little girl’s observation--both mournful and fascinated--launches the beautifully animated, hugely entertaining story of the hidden life of Fred the Cat, who, as his young owners soon learn, was a singing sensation, the Elvis of the cat world. His human owners learn the truth when they attend Fred’s memorial service with feline fans from far and wide and hear the eulogy, delivered by Fred’s canny manager and costume designer, Kenneth the guinea pig.

Based on the book by Posy Simmonds, this 1997 Academy Award nominee’s observations of human and animal behavior--and of ‘70s fashions--are both enchanting and wickedly on target.

Audio

African Lullaby. Ellipsis Arts. CD: $16. Cassette: $10. 53 minutes. All ages. https://www.ellipsisarts.com/.

Ladysmith Black Mambaza’s velvet a cappella harmonies are the first thing you hear in this loving caress of an album featuring top traditional and Afropop artists singing songs of family, parental reassurance and folklore. English translations are supplied for the reading, but these songs, sung in many languages and accompanied by bamboo flutes, talking drums and other evocative instruments, need no translation to enfold listeners in their gentle warmth.