Katherine Dines gets wacky in her wordiness on Hunk-Ta-Bunk-Ta Gnu, an album full of wordplay and plain old Sesame Street-style fun. The title of the first track "Am Is Are Was Were" gives a glimpse of what is likely to ensue. The second cut, "Trey Tres ClichÈ" is as witty a children's song can be. Here Dines manages to craft a track chock full of clichÈs. This is an interesting message for the youth. Perhaps the artist is attempting to tell the young about individuality. This is a pleasant departure from the status-quo in children's music. In order to keep it lighthearted, she has cleverly masked the intent in cozy rhythms. An album of wordplay would not be complete without "Tongue Twisters!" Dines is joined by her audience for this short track; an impressive display of her own ability to negotiate tongue twisting word arrangements. "The Very Scary Hair Bear" is straight folk music for kids; complete with role playing and audience interaction. Dines drops a little rock-n-roll meets hip hop on "Let's Punctuate." The artist takes a genre that relies heavily on phrasing and spoken-word, and uses it to teach about the values in proper punctuation. Hunk-Ta-Bunk-Ta Gnu is both valuable and fun, and can aid in the education of any toddler. MM