Do you know what a Wisconsin Poncho is?

I wonder how I had never heard of Gustafer Yellowgold before?  He’s such an interesting little guy, having flown to earth (Minnesota, to be precise) in his sunpod and exploring a far more interesting version of that state than I have personally experienced.

Gustafer Yellowgold is the brainchild of songwriter, musician and artist, Morgan Taylor.  And if you are looking for something much different than the usual mainstream insanity that our kids get smothered with, Gustafer is a very welcome distraction.  One quote I often see used to describe this series of adventures is Dr. Seuss meets Yellow Submarine.  Absolutely.  But it's so much more than that. Yes, the quirkiness and the stories are along those lines but the music itself, which is always so very important to me, is reminiscent of some musicians I really enjoy, like Ben Folds, The Rheostatics, Jellyfish (Bellybutton album), maybe a little Sufjan Stevens and…well, lots of different artists, I suppose.  Don't get me wrong - Morgan has his own style and it has definitely charmed this family. 

I was curious at first to see if my Star Wars-addicted, Harry Potter-obsessed, Pee-Wee Herman-loving kids would be able to sit through this, the fourth (I believe?) DVD in the Gustafer Yellowgold series, Gustafer Yellowgold’s Infinity Sock, done in musical moving book format.  It’s not high-speed.  It’s not high-tech. It’s totally endearing and smart and quirky.  

They made me proud.  They loved it.  They request it regularly. 

There are so many things I love about this, the story of Gustafer's search to find the end of a seemingly endless sock.  For one thing, the lyrics are written on the screen as the songs are sung so the kids can sing along.  They have latched on to so many songs and love the individual tale each song tells.  Suvi adores Snake Proms, about spying on snakes that are enjoying – you guessed it – their prom.  Who knew?  We all love Beehive, where I have to admit I was thoroughly impressed that the bees playing instruments were actually moving their little bee ‘hands’ on the right beats.  And we giggle at Wisconsin Poncho.  Morgan, how did you come up with a store where everything is made of cheese?  We love your brain.  The kids think the mac & cheese helmet is awesome.  I, personally, think the Colby chaps are funky.  I want a pair of my own.  {ahem}  

And the songs are all so infectious.  We keep on singing them long after the DVD goes off.  I can see why Slim Gets In ‘Em is hitting the top of the kids charts on Sirius Radio these days.   And I have discovered a number of the kids’ stuffies having been snuggled into socks around the house since this disc arrived.  Silly muffins…

The bonus features are also hilarious.  They all crack up to Proof or Foof, when analysis is done to establish whether Gustafer-related remnants are real or “foof”.  The kids just love to say the word “foof” in general now.  It has, unfortunately, taken on new definitions as it has worked its way into the kids’ vernacular… 

I have something extra special to share with one lucky reader, too.  Morgan has graciously offered to give me a limited edition, signed, numbered, screen-printed Gustafer Yellowgold's Infinity Sock poster for one of you!  I mean, I totally want it for myself...but I will give it up for one of you special people.  All you have to do is comment below and tell me what your favourite cheese is.  Giveaway ends Thursday, March 24th at 11:59 EST.  **Update - it's open worldwide!  Anyone can enter!

And you should absolutely check out Gustafer and his adventures.  He’s a cuddly package of yellow goodness that shouldn’t be missed.