2020 Children’s Music Roundup

Welcome to Kids Rhythm and Rock’s third annual Children’s Music Roundup! For those of you new to the blog, each year I compile a list of my favorite albums, then organize them by categories that change from year-to-year. Normally I would have had this list up by the middle of December, but 2020 being 2020, it threw a last minute curveball that delayed things a bit.

The past year was a time filled with incredible challenges for children’s music. The pandemic found performers having to completely redefine how they brought their music to the masses, racial and social justice came to the forefront, and the GRAMMY controversy spurred the children’s community to action. Through it all though, one constant remained – children’s music continued to grow in ways that left listeners enthralled, enriched, and entertained. So let’s say hello to 2021 by taking a look back at the year that was in Children’s music. Don’t see your favorites in the list below? Add them in the comments!

Note: There has been a lot of discussion in the past few weeks regarding albums by BIPOC performers. I have denoted those albums with an (**). 

Wide World of Music

Fiesta Global performed by Flor Bromley**

Live in LA performed by Aaron Nigel Smith & 1 World Chorus**

Songs Across the Pond performed by David Gibb and Brady Rymer

Unhurried Journey performed by Elena Moon Park**

¡Muévete! performed by José-Luis Orozco**

Let the Good Times Roll

Giggle and Burp Ballet performed by Randy & Dave

Kokowanda Bay performed by Ruth and Emilia

Cats Sit on You performed by The Story Pirates

Camping with Dads performed by Peter Alsop

For the Love of Dads

D.a.d performed by Pierce Freelon**

Wild Life performed by Wild Life

Songs with My Daughters performed by Elliott Park

With a Little Help from My Friends

Imagine That! The Sesame Street Music of Joe Raposo & Jeff Moss performed by Rena Strober and Friends

All The Ladies performed by Joanie Leeds (and friends)

Beautiful Beats

Hey Big World performed by Wendy & DB**

Night Life performed by Sara Lovell

It’s Never Too Early

Be the Change performed by SaulPaul**

Backyard Bop performed by Red Yarn

Be a Pain: An Album for Young (and Old) Leaders performed by Alastair Moock & Friends

Double Duty – Artists who were also authors in 2020

Una Idea Tengo Yo performed by 123 Andrés /Hello Friend, Hola Amigo by 123 Andrés**

Small But Mighty performed by Ginalina/The Mighty River by Ginalina**

Good Foot performed by Jazzy Ash/Viva Durant and the Secret of the Silver Buttons by Ashli St. Amant (Jazzy Ash)**

Rockin’ Rhythms

Hi-Ya! performed by Go Banana Go!

Avocado performed by Rolie Polie Guacamole

Never Mind the Blocks, Here’s Jumpin’ Jamie performed by Jumpin’ Jamie

I’m an Optimist performed by Dog on Fleas

The Short and the Long of It

Honey performed by Frances England (6 songs, 15 minutes)

Awesome! performed by Jesse Jukebox (6 songs, 16 minutes)

Songs for Singin’ performed by The Okee Dokee Brothers (27 songs, 70 minutes)

Invincible! Performed by Roger Day

Singer-songwriter Roger Day‘s latest album, Invincible!, arrived just in time for the new school year. Filled with songs that encourage children to embrace the super hero within them, this is just the collection of songs that students need in these most unusual of times. From beginning to end, these ten tunes urge children to use their imaginations, be curious, and find their own super powers.

The kindie rock album kicks off with the title tune, “Invincible!” whose chorus proclaims, “Nothing’s impossible. I’m unstoppable. Every puzzle is solvable. I can do anything at all…through the pages of a book.” Sung from the perspective of the child, each track builds upon the theme that you don’t have to be an ordinary super hero (someone fast and strong, who can fly) but instead do your best and be confident and you’ll be the best kind of super hero around. 

Along the way, listeners are prompted to look at all the clues to solve the problem and save the day and be a citizen scientist and take a step back to look at the bigger picture. Aspiring super heroes are also given the wise advice to “Get a Robot First” because they come in awfully handy when you’re in outer space, as well as taught a little about learning how to fly in “Me & My Jetpack.” Every family needs to listen to “The Everyday Hero Song” toward the end of the album. With school starting, this track celebrating bus drivers, school nurses, teachers, police officers and more, is the perfect song to begin conversations about who our everyday heroes are, which heroes we are still getting to see this school year, and if we’re learning remotely, which everyday heroes we are missing.

Invincible!’s empowering message will bolster a whole new generation of super heroes. Below is “Me & My Jetpack,” the newest video from the album. Watch it, make your own jetpack, and “fly” around your neighborhood showing off the super hero powers that are unique to you!