The Year in Music for Kids

A brilliant, multilayered concept album of stories and songs heavily influenced by '60s rock. If Brian Wilson had written for kids, he would have created "The Pool," a song of yearning for time to pass while waiting to jump back in the water after lunch. (from Wonderstuff)

A nice rhythmic mix of original and classic songs, performed by punk-rock moms with candy-bar names. These women avoid cloying sweetness by sounding like real moms. (from Calling All Kids)

A beautiful collection of lullabies based on a Greg Brown song, this book/CD package combines songwriters (Brown, Tom Waits, Billy Joel, Nanci Griffith) with folksingers (John Gorka, Lucy Kaplansky, Guy Davis, Eliza Gilkyson) in a match made in heaven. (from Various Artists, Down at the Sea Hotel: Singer-Songwriter Lullabies)

A varied mix of musical styles ranging from hard-rock screaming ("Mommy Says No!") to jazz ("Everybody Loves My Baby") to twang. As an added bonus, this CD includes one of the most disgusting songs ever ("Boogers"). (from Mommy Says No!)

Bird-themed cowboy twang from the leading proponent of cowboy music for kids. The friendly clarity of Grammy-nominated Howdy's voice reaches young voices with humor that never gets too silly.

For the Kids III is the third in a series that features independent artists playing a unique take on music for kids. This one includes Dar Williams, The Sippy Cups, Moby and Over the Rhine, whose song offers useful instructions on where poop goes. (Hint: It goes in the potty.) (from For the Kids III)

An outstanding collection of kid-friendly music with rock leanings from the Grammy-nominated Peter Himmelman. Any album that includes the word "schmendrick" (in "My Feet") is worth finding. "My Father Is an Accountant" teaches that heroes can be found in every profession. (from My Green Kite)

These women perform inspiring vocal miracles. Experience...101 is aimed at a middle-school-aged audience, honoring the elders while looking toward the future. (from Experience...101)

The freshman production by this collection of rockers offers a hint of greatness. The band sounds more tart than sweet as it laments the habit of "Jumping to Conclusions." Meanwhile, "Bike" mixes a classical melody with two-wheeled joy. (from The Dream Jam Band)

A solo recording by Dan Zanes' cohort, this island-influenced collection of rhythmic tunes gets silly and profound at the same time. It's a Bam Bam Diddly smartly responds to kids' natural appreciation of reggae rhythms. (from It's a Bam Bam Diddly)