Yes, there are positive alternatives to Disney-sponsored singers! Yancy (not Nancy, as her website name emphasizes) is an accomplished Christian singer, songwriter, worship leader, and speaker whose primary ministry focus is pre-teens and their families. The spiky haired Yancy, with a million-dollar smile and a sparkle in her eye, sports a cool and sassy style without being inappropriate or disrespectful. Her clear and powerful voice makes following and singing along with her songs fun for children and parents alike. Her music can be used at church, at home, or anywhere in between.

Rock-n-Happy Heart is a worship CD for pre-teens who enjoy the sound and rhythm of rock-n-roll. Yancy wrote all but two of the songs. The kick-off song of "Super Start" appears to have been written for CIY's Super Start program (www.ciy.com/superstart/). Our church has used this song as part of children's church, and the kids love the song. There are also worthy covers of Aaron Shust's "My Savior My God" and Beci and David Wakerley's "I'm Really Happy."

Little Praise Party (by Yancy and Friends) is aimed at preschoolers, and the proceeds from its sale go to missions. In a Go Fish-style, this 20-song CD will get little ones singing and bopping to favorites like "Father Abraham," "This Little Light of Mine," "The B-I-B-L-E," and many more.

Finally, in the 10-track Have a Fancy Yancy Christmas, Yancy covers classics like "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," Paul McCartney's "Wonderful Christmastime," and "O Come All Ye Faithful," as well as sharing two of her own original songs, "Merry Christmas, Happy Christmas" and "Christmastime." This CD would be a good choice for anyone who could use some Christmas cheer or who would appreciate celebrating the real reason for the season in praising God for His gift of Jesus.

Pros: I have played all three of these CDs over and over and over, and I am not tired of them! They make my kids, whose ages range from 7 to 13, and me smile, sing, and praise God! Yancy's website offers many more albums, devotionals (including one that goes along with Rock-n-Happy Heart CD), ministry resources, DVDs, and more. Yancy is the real deal, really devoted to glorifying God in all that she does. She is a positive role model for kids and adults.

Cons: I would enjoy these albums even more if the words were included on the CD covers. While I either knew or figured out most of them, I'd like to have the words in front of me just to be sure.

My husband and I are pretty involved in children's ministry at our church, and these CDs are a natural fit. I am looking forward to exploring even more of Yancy's CDs and other products both for church and home.

Product review by Krystin Corneilson, The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, LLC, November 2010