What constitutes a good kids' album? It should elicit a reaction, whether it makes listeners jump around like maniacs or hunker down on the couch for a snuggle. A truly great kids' album is one that parents will forget to turn off after they drop off carpool or put the kids down for a nap. Here are ten of our favorites of the year, in no particular order:
• Little Nut Tree - Dan Zanes - We have been Dan Zanes fans for a long time, but when he joins forces with Sharon Jones for "In The Basement" he gets the puffy hearts.
• Music Is Awesome 3 - Yo Gabba Gabba - Even if your kids don't watch the show there is plenty on this record to enjoy. My three year old typically asks to skip the character songs in favor of original tracks by The Killers, Devo, The Flaming Lips and The Postmarks.
• Sing Along! - Caspar Babypants- This is Chris Ballew from The Presidents Of The United States Of America, and this album really does get kids and their parents to sing along. Mission accomplished, Caspar Babypants.
• A Life Of Song - Ella Jenkins - When I was a little thing my parents took me to see Ella Jenkins. Decades later I'm happy to take my kids to her concerts. Kids go bananas for Ella Jenkins year after year. This album features Ella's beautiful take on African American standards.
• Flying! - Recess Monkey - Thanks to Recess Monkey for providing the soundtrack to our family's superhero fantasies.
• Mind Of My Own - Frances England - This San Fransisco based folk singer has a spot-on understanding a kid's point of view plus guitars and pretty voice that reminds us a little of Tegan and Sara.
• Strange Dees, Indeed - The Deedle Deedle Dees - This is a totally awesome and weird record that teaches kids about history and rocking out with tracks about Marie Curie and Sacagawea, among many others. It needs to be heard to be believed.
• Outside My Door - Lori Henriques - We love Lori's original songs, beautiful piano playing and pretty voice. Check out the awesome album art by her brother, Joel of Made By Joel.
• Tag, You're It! - The Not-Its - This one really rocks. We especially love "Mathematics," which sings the praises of favorite school subjects.
• The Green Album - Various Artists - We wrote this one up a few months ago and it is still in heavy rotation. Enjoy Muppets classics revisited by Weezer, OK Go, Rachel Yamagata and others.
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Yay! Thx for expanding my daughter's Spotify playlist, I'll be looking all of these up.
Don't forget "oldies but goodies" Free to Be You and Me by Marlo Thomas and friends (my kids range in age from 2 to 14, and they all still request, or in the case of my 14 year old son, don't cringe when listening to, this album. It's funny, it brings up all sorts of things kids deal with, and it isn't super high pitched and irritating. Also anything Pete Seeger or Woody Guthrie but Birds, Beasts, Bugs and little Fishes by Pete Seeger and Nursery Days or Songs to Grow on by Woody Guthrie have stood the test of time in our house.
I learned about this CD and my train-obsessed son (and I) fell in love. Really fun songs, and Dick Van Dyke rapping...? Need I say more?
Also need to bring this one up for Spanish-learning kids. Really enjoyable CD of traditional Latin American songs for kids.
Our favorite this year: Wee Sing Halloween. My kids *adore* this album.
Wow. Laura Vier's Tumble Bee not come to mind?
We love Putomayo's Reggae Playground- and it's not annoying to listen to :)
Wow. I am blown away by Caspar Babypants and the Not It's and Recess Monkey- totally music I WOULD listen too and can enjoy in the car... thank you for bringing this to my attention!!!
Absolutely looove Dan Zanes!
Jim Gill has a new album out this year. His music is THE BEST for the preschool/school-age crowd!
We love all the Putamayo albums. My daughter falls asleep to either Acoustic Dreamland or African Dreamland every night. By day, we boogie to the Playground albums featuring popular musicians from around the world. A Jazz and Blues Christmas has been on repeat for a week, or so, on the car stereo. It's all very kid and more importantly parent friendly music.
Where are The Okee Dokee Brothers on this list???
Wow! Lots of Seattle bands on that list! The Not-Its, Caspar Babypants, Recess Monkey . . .
Recess Monkey is GREAT!! We have that on constant play in our house, intermixed with our "adult" tunes.
Our family favorite is anything by Justin Roberts.
You really should check out Laura Veirs' album Tumble Bee. It is amazingly sweet and delightful. My kids can not get enough of it and it's enjoyable for parents too.
We love Caspar Babypants in our house! It's great to get some more suggestions!