A Cappella for Kids

Yes, there is more to music for kids than annoying purple dinosaurs! Some of it the songs are fun, other tunes are educational. Some of the albums have music that is heartwarming, others have music from around the globe, and still others have the lullabies to put your very littlest ones to sleep. It’s music for them to grow up with, covering all ages from toddler to the pre-boy-band age group, and if you’ve dreamed of forming that family a cappella group, this is a way to indoctrinate them into the love of a cappella from a very young age.

Go Fish: Snooze

Snooze Catch A Falling Star The All Day Song SkinnMarinkyDinkyDink Little Buckaroo You're My Little Girl You Are Mine Awake Sail Away Welcome To The World

Since they have all married and some have become fathers, the members of one of our favorite Contemporary Christian groups, all-male a cappella trio Go Fish, have released some excellent material directed at their own and other children. "Splash," "Superstar" and the new DVD, "Showtime" are all winners, and "Snooze" is no exception. We were especially impressed with originals by group member Jamie Statema, who wrote the sweet title tune, "Little Buckaroo," "You Are Mine," "You're My Little Girl" and "Awake." We also liked the traditional "SkinnaMarinkyDinkyDink" and a pair of originals by Billy Sprague, "Sail Away" and "Welcome to the World." You can see the love here in the faces of the 3 dads, feel it in their voices as they sing these touching songs, and hear it in the lyrics. "You Are Mine" is a powerful lullabye, letting a child know that they are unconditionally loved and protected as they go to sleep—a big improvement on the fairly scary concept of "If I should die before I wake." Great stuff especially for parents and children from Go Fish!

Listen to "SkinnMarinkyDinkyDink" in RealAudio.

Coco's Lunch: Rat Trap Snap!

Rat Trap Snap Everybody Let's Dance Fire Little Miss Muffet An Alien At My Table Nip Baby In Her Belly Away I Sweep My Feet Oh When The Saints Nowhere Train Kookaburra Rain A Frog In My Throat

Australia's hottest and most innovative all-woman a cappella quintet Coco's Lunch are dedicated to composing and performing original and inspiring music, and they succeed with relish on "Rat Trap Snap!" These 14 group-written and composed songs are clever, jazzy, catchy and fun. Check out the faux horns on the bouncy "Let's Dance," tap your feet to the rhythmic, saucy salsa tune "Fire" and soaring "Away" ( both with non-vocal percussion), enjoy the silly, jazzy "Little Miss Muffet," the McFerrinesque "Nip," and the highly instructional "Baby in Her Belly." "I Sweep My Feet" enters the mind of a precocious child, "Nowhere Train" rolls on a vocal percussion track, and "Rain" and the title tune are surreal romps. "Snap" is a refreshing, surprising joy.

Listen to Rat Trap Snap in Real Audio

King's Singers with Dame Judi Dench: Kid's Stuff

Teddy Bear's Picnic Humpty Dumpty - Old King Cole - The Grand Old Duke Of York This Old Man Over The Hills And Far Away King John's Christmas The Riddle Song Walking In The Air Yellow Submarine The Owl And The Pussycat Here We Go Down The Line Lavender's Blue Wendell The Worm I Know an Old Woman Frog Went a-Courtin' - We All Stand Together

The King Singer1s and Dame Judi Dench tell the tales we all know and love. Embrace the charm of this rare treat made for children of all ages! The Teddy Bear1s Picnic and Humpty Dumpty sitting on a wall, The merry soul, Old King Cole and Duke of York, the Grandest of them all. This old man, a dog and a bone. "Over the Hills and Far Away" for days and days alone. Walking on air or submerged in a "Yellow Submarine", or with an owl and a pussycat on a ship of pea green. Boys and girls and blackbirds four and twenty, they all diddle diddle in lavender blue fields of plenty. Wendell, the sunburned worm, an old woman1s fate with a fly, the frog he went a-courtin while we all stand together, together you and I.

Listen to "Humpty Dumpty Medley" and "I Know An Old Woman" in Real Audio

The Reluctant Dragon Brother Heinrich's Christmas The Wind In The Willow

This is a delightful CD for children (and eavesdropping adults), gathering together three "musical fables" that John Rutter wrote for Christmas concerts given by the King¼s Singers and the COL Sinfonia; "The Reluctant Dragon" and "The Wind in the Willows" based on Kenneth Grahame stories, adapted by David Grant. "Brother Heinrich¼s Christmas" was written for a Christmas TV special from Salisbury Cathedral, with Rutter writing the story as well as the music. This is like the sound track to a musical, with Richard Baker narrating "Dragon" and "Willows," and Brian Kay narrating "Brother," and Anthony Holt, for instance, playing St. George in "Dragon" and Toad in "Willows." The King¼Singers and the Cambridge Singers give sweet and entertaining performances, and we can only say that we would have loved to have seen the concerts and the TV special!

6657 CD $15.98

Introduction Kanje Kanje Rain Chant There Come Our Mothers Nomyekelo Finger Dance Thekwane Vulani Ringi Ring Boy Who Turned Into a Cat Paparam Vingo Shabala Two Shellent Mbube (The Lion Sleeps Tonight) Peace Be With You

This release from Ladysmith takes the entire family on an enchanting musical journey trough the rich and wondrous land of the Zulu people. The combination of great music and lively introductions in English delights children and adults alike.

9100 CD $12.98

Another winner in the Rabbit Ears series, combining the finest musicians, in this case Ladysmith; with the powerful voices of star actors and actresses, in this case Danny Glover; to re-tell a classic children's story aimed at the whole family. In other words, they went for the highest quality on all fronts, and it shows. "How the Leopard," of course, takes place in Africa, and Ladysmith's music almost defines the sound of Africa. Glover's gravelly voice holds our attention on every word. A classic story, presented with some of the most powerful vocals on the planet (both sung and spoken)–it adds up to a winner. And the dozens of awards, from Grammys to Parent's Choice, only tell us what we already know!

Manhattan Transfer: Tubby The Tuba

Tubby The Tuba Tubby At The Circus Tubby Meets A Jazz Band The Further Adventures Of Tubby The Tuba

The relationship of Tubby The Tuba to a cappella music is peripheral at best. One of the great jazz singing groups of all time, Manhattan Transfer, provide all the voices, sound effects and occasional little snatches of song in this delightful recording. Tubby was created by Paul Tripp (who wrote the stories) and George Kleinsinger (who composed the music) in 1946. It is the most engaging way that children could possibly learn about the instruments in an orchestra. Tubby is a disgruntled tuba, tired of simply playing oom-pah, who embarks on four adventures to find something more interesting. Three of the adventures use a full orchestra, while in the other, Tubby takes his melody in a suitcase and travels to the big city. There he meets a Jazz band who play a clarinet, trumpet, trombone, piano and drums. The interpretation of instrument's songs by the the singers is wonderful! We recommend this recording highly, particularly, but not exclusively for children.

4209 CD $10.98

Gunner Madson: Ants In My Pants

Ants In My Pants Welcome To My Fog Don't Shake Hands With A One-Eyed Pirate Tuna Fish Old Baloney Like Two Coconuts And The Children Rolled Ballad Of The Lonesome Rider Lonely Dog Tango I Am Loved Are We There Yet? Mayonnaise and Pumpernickel Bread Home On The Range

Gunnar Madsen is of course one of the founders of the legendary Bobs, who celebrated their 20th anniversary by releasing the excellent CD "Coaster" on PAC Records. This is his 2nd children's CD on G-Spot Records, the first being the very well-received "Old Mr. Mackle Hackle." The kids are treated to 13 innovative and funny original songs, the titles of which tell the story: "Ants In My Pants" (sung by "Elvis"), "Welcome to my Fog", the rollicking "Don't Shake Hands With A One-Eyed Pirate," "Tuna Fish" ("My mom named me Tuna Fish..."), "Old Baloney," "Like Two Coconuts," the hilarious "And the Children Rolled," "Ballad of the Lonesome Rider," "Lonely Dog Tango," "I Am Loved," the eternal question, "Are We There Yet?," "Mayonnaise and Pumpernickel Bread," and "Home on the Range." This is silly, slightly irreverent give-kids-credit-for-being-intelligent-like-"Rocky and Bullwinkle"-did stuff that will score bigtime with them. Go, Gunnar!

2961 CD $14.98

Persuasions' Nursery Rhyme Medley Teddy Bears' Picnic Good Morning To You A Cappella Fellas My Daddy Do, Too On The Good Ship Lollipop I'm So Glad (I've Got Skin) Big Rock Candy Mountain How Much Is That Doggy In The Window? On Top Of Spaghetti Shoo Fly, Don't Bother Me Train Song Medley Swing Low, Sweet Chariot I Love You (There's No Doubt About It)

One doesn't have to be under four feet tall to be charmed by this CD. In fact, adult listeners will be transported on the good ship to Rock Candy Mountain with as much enthusiasm as their younger companions. Songs such as "How Much Is That Doggie In the Window" and "Teddy Bears' Picnic" are sung with such sweetness, who could resist? By the way, the Persuasions have never been in better form musically (in all their 37 years as a group!) and their cohorts, the "Lollypop Kids Chorus," chime in for several songs. It's all a cappella and a great way to introduce the inexperienced ear to harmony - the Persuasions themselves encourage one and all to sing along!

Hardrock, Coco & Joe Suzy Snowflake Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer Jingle Bell Rock Christmas Round White Christmas A Yule Tide Aire Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree All I Want For Christmas Doo Wop Yule Pop Little Drummer Boy/ Do You Hear What I Hear Little Red Shoes Jingle Bells Hey Santa Claus Lady Millennium

Stormy Weather: Doo Wop & Lollypops

The Bannana Boat Song Little Star Alley-Oop The Lion Sleeps Tonite ABC's (Of Love) Somewhere Over The Rainbow Street Corner Serenade Rendezvous On Euclid Avenue Rock-n-Roll Lullabye Morse Code Of Love IKO-IKO Hush-a-Bye Come Go With Me Peanut Butter Little Red Shoes

Pride of Gary/Hammond Indiana, 4-man, one woman Doo-Woppers Stormy Weather has impressed us with five excellent CDS prior to "LolliPops," "15 Rhapsodies from the Roots of Rock-n-Roll" directed at ages "2 to 10 and Beyond." "The Banana Boat Song," "Little Star," the silly "Alley Oop," based on a comic strip that actually died with its cartoonist, the sweet, soaring "Lion Sleeps Tonight," "Rock-n-Roll Lullabye" (lightly accompanied), "Morse Code of Love," "Iko Iko" (some non-vocal percussion), "Come Go with Me," "Peanut Butter" and "Little Red Shoes"—these are songs that are big fun to harmonize and listen to, on a street corner, concert stage or recording studio, which is one of the main things we love about Doo Wop. So we applaud SW's intention to turn kids on to Doo Wop and thoroughly enjoyed every cut on "LolliPops" (it's probably our inner child, harmonizing on our inner street corner!).

So Glad I'm Here Cumbayah Down in the Valley Two by Two The Little Shekere The Little Red Caboose All For Freedom Juba Everybody Ought to Know Calypso Freedom Amen Ise Oluwa Meeting at the Building Johanna and Rhody Make New Friends Horse and Buggy Silvie Alunde and the Story of Ono

Bernice Johnson Reagon, the founder of Sweet Honey, is a scholar of African-American children's lore from the South, including songs, dances, games and stories. Two other members, Aisha Kahlil and Nitanju Bolade Casel, together conduct workshops and performances for youngsters. It's no surprise that these talanted singers produced this recording specifically for children. The songs include a one from the Georgia Sea Island Singers, one written by Leadbelly, a Yoruba song from Nigeria, traditional African-American songs and originals by the group. Each song is introduced with enough information to give a child an idea of what it's about. This is a grand way to introduce young people to other cultures. As in all of Sweet Honey's music, freedom for you, me and everyone is the most obvious message carried by song straight to the heart. The final track is a musically accompanied fantasy story, "Alunde And The Story Of Ono" in which the song "Alunde"(which means 'happy new day') is the most prized possession of the people of Ono. Thank you, Sweet Honey In The Rock! Songlist

8511 CD $14.98

I Got Shoes African Numbers 20 Tama Tama Tamali Little David Play on Your Harp African Numbers 12 Freedom Now Run Molly Run Young and Positive African Numbers 8 Deep Blue Sea Shoo Fly, Don't Bother Me African Numbers 10 Somagwaza Freedom Train African Numbers 16 Down the Road I Be Going Look! Look! The Sun Woke Up! Spirit Lullaby

This is a great recording for children to be introduced to music of African cultures, gospel, both traditional and original African-American children's songs and supportive songs for growing youngsters. "I Got Shoes" could well be considered for very young children. A series of five "African Numbers" has vocal backgrounds of African texture on top of which are counted numbers in English (1-20), Japanese (1-12), Swahili (1-8), French (1-10) and Spanish (1-16). There is a rap song featuring a refrain by the Sweet Honey In The Rock Children's Chorus which deals with ethics on a young persons level. It is entitled "Young and Positive" and tells kids that they are the future and how to keep their sights set high. There is the archetypical Sweet Honey message in "Freedom Train." The whole recording is like a composition that ends with one of the most beautiful songs they have ever sung, "Spirit Lullaby." Sweet Honey is extraordinary!

8509 CD $12.98

Let's Go Dreamin' Jesus Loves Me Children's Prayer Rocking Song Resting In Jesus Close Your Eyes Don't Fear The Storm Don't Cry Lover Of A Sleeping Child Sleep Tight

The liner notes just include the words to these sweet Christian lullabies, and don¼t even mention the talented singers. Acappella Company has previously brought us "Classics Long Play," "Wedding Long Play" and "Word of God Long Play," all excellent, popular Contemporary Christian CDs. There are 10 songs here, filled with love, feeling and beautiful harmonies: "Let¼s Go Dreamin¼," "Jesus Loves Me," "Children¼s Prayer," "Rocking Song," "Resting In Jesus," "Close Your Eyes," "Don¼t Fear The Storm," "Don¼t Cry," "Lover of a Sleeping Child" and "Sleep Tight." Nighty-night!

3220 CD $12.98

You-you-zha (Man) Clear Moon, Quiet Winds (Northeastern China) Hammock Hanging Beween Betel Trees (Guangdong) Puyuma Lullaby (Taiwan) Tu-jia Lullaby (Hunan) A-ni-qie-er (Hani tribe, Yunnan) Kitty, Stop Meowing (Anhul) Li Lullaby (Hainan) Lullaby of the Fisherman's Family (Guangxi) Tibetan Lullaby (Western Tibet) My Brother, Pu-ru-lai (Inner Mongolian) A-lai, Ba-lang-mu (Ulger)

The Beijing Angelic Choir, composed of the best voices from several local choirs in Beijing, is distinguished by their sweet, superbly trained voices and musical training. Included are 12 songs: "You-you-zha," "Clear Moon, Quiet Winds," "Hammock Hanging Between Betel Trees," "Puyama Lullaby," "Tu-jia Lullaby," "A-ni-qie-er," "Kitty, Stop Meowing," "Li Lullaby," "Lullaby of the Fisherman's Family," "Tibetan Lullaby," "My Brother, Pu-ru-lai" and "A-lai, Ba-lang-mu." These songs are lightly accompanied, with emphasis, of course, on the singing of the children. The sound is dreamlike, sweet and soaring, almost other-worldly. We'd love to learn more about the beautiful, haunting lullabies, but most of the liner notes are in Chinese and we can only use our imagination. "Lullabies" was a finalist for the 1996 NAIRD award for the Best Children's Music, and is stunningly lovely CD! Songlist

Various Artists: Lullaby: A Collection

Swedish Lullaby Courtyard Lullaby A La Nanita Nana Be Still My Child Sakura/ Owayare All The Pretty Horses Lullaby Down By The Salley Gardens Sleep, Little One, Sleep Sweet Lullaby Spirit Lullaby Common Thread

This CD is a fabulous mix of a cappella and accompanied lullabies. With songs from Bobby McFerrin, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Sweet Honey in the Rock, and Take 6, this is sure to be a bedtime favorite.

9311 CD $12.98

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