Music Reviews are Back at School Library Journal!!

Librarians, Parents, Teachers, Uncategorized

After a two and a half year hiatus, it is my great pleasure to announce that music reviews are back at School Library Journal (SLJ)! For those of you new to children’s music, you may not be aware that for two decades, SLJ was one of the premier publications for children’s music reviews. Artists would send their CDs to SLJ’s New York office where the music would then be distributed to unpaid volunteer reviewers who were working, or had experience in working, in public or school libraries. These reviews were essential to libraries across the country in selecting quality music to add to their collections and a starred review could make a real difference in album sales.

When I first started reviewing music for SLJ, around the early 2000s, music reviews were included in each monthly publication. Over the years, the music reviews went from appearing monthly, to every-other month, to quarterly, and eventually ceased all together. As a librarian, this was a big disappointment because I know the important role that music plays in early childhood literacy and without SLJ, one of the main sources for new music information disappeared. For artists, this meant that yet another major source to promote their music, in an already shrinking pool of options, was gone.

I didn’t know it at the time, but what became the final round of music reviews was published online in January 2024. Until now. In January 2026, I was contacted by SLJ and they asked if I would be willing to review up to 15 albums. The reviews would be due in March and would appear in the May 2026 print issue. Of course I said yes. With a tight timeline and winter not being a booming time for new albums, as well as frequent comments from librarians about not knowing where to look for information about children’s music, I opted to focus on albums from 2025 that featured music that librarians and teachers could use in their programs and classrooms. Reviews for all 15 albums can be found by clicking on this link.

Now, I’m excited to announce that SLJ plans to publish another round of children’s music reviews this fall! If you have an album coming out that you would like to have considered for possible review in SLJ, please email a listening link and one-pager (any information you think I should know about you and your music) to me by July 18. Please send submissions to info@kidsrhythmandrock.com. Please note: while all submissions will be considered, space in SLJ is limited to 15 reviews.

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Summer Reading Has Arrived!

Librarians, Parents, Teachers, Uncategorized

To quote A Tale of Two Cities, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” For librarians and performers alike, summer reading is the time of year that is filled with excitement and non-stop busyness. It’s also filled with stress, the need to be high energy for hours on end, and non-stop busyness. For librarians, it’s the time of year that we both look forward to and dread. We can’t wait to unveil all that we have in store for our communities, but we also can’t wait for it to be over. It’s a double-edged sword, but we wouldn’t have it any other way!

For libraries across the country, putting together a summer reading program begins months in advance and designing the themes can take years. Most libraries either use the theme from iREAD , the theme from the Collaborative Summer Library Program, or they design their own. As we prepare to kick things off, I wanted to share songs that celebrate each of this year’s themes.

If you’re using the 2026 iREAD theme, “Plant a Seed, Read,” consider adding the rocking “Plant a Seed” from Wendy & DB’s 2018 album Home Earth to your summer playlist.

 

If you’re using a different theme, try the beautiful “Unearthing a Story” from Kim Noller, or  check out one of my favorites that perfectly matches the summertime vibe, “Loud in the Library!” from Mr. Jeff. (One of these days, Mr. Jeff, I’m going to get you to Central Illinois to be LOUD in my library!)

Personally, I’m really looking forward to this Saturday, May 30. It’s my Library’s summer reading kick-off and we are celebrating with a concert overlooking the Illinois River featuring the amazing Justin Roberts. No matter where you live, make sure to get out this summer, take in some live music, grab a book/magazine/graphic novel/audiobook/ebook (whew!) and sign up for summer reading because in the end, it really is the best of times!

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2025 Children’s Music Roundup

Librarians, Parents, Teachers, Uncategorized

Welcome to Kids Rhythm and Rock’s annual Children’s Music Roundup! 2025 got away from me a little bit so this is coming to you a tad later than usual. Luckily, it’s never too late to celebrate great children’s music!

At the end of each year, rather than doing a “Top 10” or a “Best of” list, I compile a list of albums that have come to my attention during the last 12 months and separate them into fun categories. While the total number of albums that are included varies from year-to-year, the richness and depth that is family music just keeps growing and this past year was no different.

Let’s kickoff 2026 by taking a look back at the “year that was” in children’s music. Don’t see your favorites? Please add them in the comments.

Introducing…

Debut albums you should know

Hang Out with Raven from City Birds

I Like the Sounds You Make from Eeme and Shan

Tunezies Vol. 1 from Jesse Palter

Alphabops from Bug Friend

Be Mindful, Be Kind

Empathy, inclusion, and loving one another (as kids and parents) are at the heart of these albums.

Together from Heather Feather

I Am Enough from Hopscotch Songs

Change is Inevitable from Mama Nous

Fun Machine Dream Vol. One from You & Us

Oh to Be Young

Music with the littles in mind. Many of the songs would be great for storytime.

My Voice from Andy Z

Imagine Shine Play from Miss Jessica

Family Friendly Songs, Vol. 5 from Tom Foote

Go Go Stop: Music and Movement for Kids from Shawny

Super Duper Awesome Day from Ashley Mills Monaghan

Warm Fuzzies from Katie Dwyer Music

Funky Fun

Silly, thoughtful fun for everyone!

Big Kid Stuff from Mr. Jeff

The Color Weasel from Todd ‘n’ Tina

Jesse Jukebox Sells Out from Jesse Jukebox

Slippery When Peeled from Go Banana Go and Flula Borg

Sweet Home Chicago

These artists all call Chicago home.

Get Your Sunny Side Up from Wendy and DB

After We Roam from Little Miss Ann

Brain Freeze from Justin Roberts

Keeping It Real

These albums all feature stories and experiences from real people.

Dandelion Songs: Inspired by Military Kids and Families from Greg Lato

The Story of U.S. Vol. 1 from Griot B

Herstory from Flor Bromley

Arise & Shine: Piano Music by Black Composers for Kids

Naturally

These albums celebrate the Earth, the animals, and the plants, and how we all fit together on this planet we call home.

Belong from Musiquita (bilingual)

Tree Sounds from Marko Polo

Pop Jams

The title says it all!

Wonder FULL from Dana

M.Y. F.A.M.I.L.Y. from Scott & Mark Hoying

Oopsie Daisy from Teacher Peter (bilingual)

Carry On! from Princess Backpack and Benjamin

Our Friends to the South

Just a sampling of the vibrant children’s music scene in New Zealand

Little Wild Singable Songs: Play, Help, Wonder from Claudia Robin Gunn

The Prose and Cons from Captain Festus McBoyle

BeetBite vol. 3 and 4 from BeetBite

Unstoppable Beats

Glam pop, hip hop, space folk and more!

Micro Party from Electric Blue Yonder

On the Stoop from Rolie Polie Guacamole

Buddy’s Magic Tree House from Mega Ran

A Non Fiction Fairytale from Twinkle Time

We Are Family

This year’s top duets were provided by two children’s music artists and their young daughters.

Ageless: 100 Years Young from Joanie Leeds & Joya

Harmony from Fyütch & Aura V

Potpourri

As in my favorite Jeopardy category, not the dried flowers.

Arise Together: Songs to Inspire from various artists

Sunny Side Up from Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could

Dinosaur Spaghetti from City Love

Try Try Again from Mike Bryden

Hooray for the World! from Red Grammer

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Gift performed by Katie T.

Librarians, Parents, Teachers, Uncategorized

This is the time of year when almost everywhere you go, Christmas music is playing. Whether it’s the grocery store, the gas station, or the laundromat, there’s a good chance that at any given time, at least one of them has Michael Bublé singing about the fact that it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Now, don’t get me wrong. I absolutely love Christmas music. From the loud and silly to the divine, I listen to it all. But not everyone celebrates Christmas and sometimes a song that celebrates the themes of the season without talking about the holiday itself is just what folks are looking for. And that is why I would like to introduce you to the newest song from Katie T.

“Gift,” written and performed by Katie and featuring Matt Pace of Hopscotch Songs is a beautiful tune that makes you feel like you are being wrapped in a hug. Rather than celebrating the toys and games and physical items that children often get for the holidays or for other occasions throughout the year, “Gift” focuses on something that doesn’t cost a thing – the gift of heartfelt compliments. Based on a conversation that Katie had with one of her students, the lyrics of the song focus on the phrase, “I have a gift to say to you.” Accompanied by a single guitar, the words of “Gift” flow over you, while Katie and Matt’s vocals help to sooth your soul. Adding to the gentle tone of the track, toward the middle there is a break where parents and children from Katie’s school provide a wide array of compliments that will touch your heart. “Gift” is the perfect song to use in classrooms, library programs, or as a family to practice giving one another compliments. Whether it’s during the holiday season, or any other time of the year, as Katie T. reminds us, “Sometimes the best gift you can give is the one you say.”

Looking for other songs to play this month that aren’t celebrating a particular holiday? Give these songs a spin.

Shake Your Snowglobe performed by Jaden Michaels – great for storytime!

Happy Happy Holidays! performed by Shawny

Happy Holidays performed by Itty Bitty Beats

 

 

 

 

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If you like Justin Roberts, you’ll love…Shawny!

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Shawny Go Go StopIn the follow-up to his debut album, It’s So Sunny (2023), Montreal native Shawny once again proves that he knows the secret to making music that engages and entertains children. A former elementary school music teacher, Shawny showcases his solo voice and songwriting talents on his second album for children and families, Go Go Stop: A Music and Movement Album for Kids. Are you looking for songs to freshen up your storytimes? Try the upbeat “Hi Hello,” the slower “Goodbye Goodbye” and movement songs such as the title song freeze dance “Go Go Stop” and the swashbuckling movement song “Pirate Life.” Counting is an element in several of the songs including “Winter Clothes” which lists the items one needs to wear to go outside and play, while tracks such as “So Different” and “Rainbow Parade” (feat. Strawbitty Yops) celebrate our differences and the importance of inclusivity. The majority of the songs in this collection, such as “In My Airplane” and the lullaby “The Snoring Song,” have a pop-sound to them, calling to mind early Justin Roberts albums. Much like Roberts, many of Shawny’s songs are just a man and a guitar telling tales of every day life that children can easily relate to. Also like Roberts, Shawny’s Go Go Stop is music that families will return to again and again.

Cover for Justin Roberts Brain Freeze albumAnd speaking of Justin Roberts, the Chicago-based entertainer returns with Brain Freeze, his 17th album for children and families. The first third of the new collection is classic Justin, featuring upbeat tempos and songs told from a child’s perspective, including the title track about a visit to the ice cream truck. From there he plays with other genres such as the 1960s pop sounds of “Better Than a Saturday” and the rockabilly feel of “Backyard Baby,” as well as switching narratives from that of a child to that of a father on tracks like the beautiful, “Long Walk Home.” Now the dad to a six year old, Justin’s music continues to evolve, capturing all of the love that exists between a dad and his son. Fans of Justin Roberts will love this latest outing while those new to his music will be glad they found it.

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Tis the Season!

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It’s the most wonderful time of the year – Halloween! The leaves are changing, the days are getting shorter, and giant skeletons have popped up all around the neighborhood. This year brings a whole assortment of new music to celebrate the season. Here is just a sampling of the creepy, silly, haunted new treats just waiting to jump out at you. Have a song or video for Halloween that you would like to share? Pop it into the comments.

Let the Halloween hijinks begin with a jazzy number from New Zealand’s own Itty Bitty Beats, brought to life in this wonderfully witchy lyric video.

The ghoulishly good times continue with The Halloween EP from Patrick Adams. This collection of four songs includes one original fiendishly fun tune and three magical, mystical songs that answer the question, who are you going to call when somebody’s watching you??

What’s one activity that everyone looks forward to doing leading up to Halloween? Why, carving jack o’lanterns, of course. But what happens when you’re walking through the woods on Halloween night and you see “Jumping Jack-O’-Lanterns” and other startling sights? Listen to this slightly scary cumulative song from Esther Crow to find out.

Are your kids still trying to figure out what to be for Halloween? Check out Esther’s video from a couple of years ago for homemade costume inspiration.

Still looking for fall-themed songs to add to your storytimes or family listening playlists? Try out Little Miss Ann‘s version of the classic “Five Little Pumpkins” and the new video for Laurie Berkner‘s call and response song “Hayride.”

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Albums that Uplift and Inspire

Librarians, Parents, Teachers, Uncategorized

I am so excited by the three albums featured here. Each album is written and performed by a dynamic female artist, sharing messages that will encourage and empower listeners of all ages. In a world that can often feel very heavy, all of the music below will bring a smile to your face and put a spring in your step.

Together performed by Heather Feather

It’s not often that I get to be in the room when a song is born, but that is exactly what happened at the 2024 Children’s Music Network conference when Heather Feather and friends took the stage and performed the beginning seeds of what would become, “Party,” the opening track on Together, Heather’s second album for families. Filled with energy, great beats, and a message about inclusion, “Party” is the perfect song to kick things off. Based in Montreal, Heather is a bilingual performer whose experience as an educator and performer (she has just started a new endeavor as a teaching artist for Prologue Arts) is evident in the social emotional concepts skillfully woven throughout the ten songs in this collection. Each song tells its own story while employing a variety of musical genres. Heather touches on messages of kindness, sharing, caring, and acceptance while emphasizing the ways to deal with different emotions as in “Fill Your Bucket,” about finding happiness, and “The Angry Song” which explores ways to deal with anger. Additional themes include it’s ok to not be a winner as long as you tried your best, the importance of encouraging those around you, as well as the fact that everyone needs to feel important and included. Holding a PhD in music theory, Heather is a gifted songwriter who artfully creates music that engages, while also allowing her beautiful soprano voice to shine. A perfect example of this is the final song on the album, “A Fishy Tale,” a jazzy cumulative tune that would be a fantastic addition to storytimes. Never didactic and always entertaining, Together is an album to be enjoyed by the whole family.

Wonder FULL performed by Dana

Dana is the personification of sunshine. She fills every room she enters with love and joy and does the same thing with her music. Her latest album, Wonder FULL is no exception. Inspired by the seemingly never ending questions that children come up with, each track tackles a different question word (who, what, when, how) and gives some answers. First up is “WHY WHAT WHERE WHO? (30th Anniversary Version)” proving the evergreen nature of the inquisitive minds of the young. From there, Dana channels her inner rock goddess for the electric guitar and drum driven “WHICH (One Will I Choose)” about the struggle to select green vegetables at the grocery store before switching gears and flowing into the flute laden, “WHO (Are My People),” a celebration of family and the ones we love. Also included are songs about having to wait, helping the environment, and the seasons. After asking all the questions, the album concludes with the song, “ANSWERS (Will Come)” a beautiful tune that reassures listeners that they don’t have to have all the answers now, and that learning and discovering is an ongoing part of life. Dana’s versatile voice conveys lyrics that young listeners can relate to while a cadre of talented musicians elevate the sophisticated melodies into songs that adults will want to turn up the volume and jam to.

Herstory performed by Flor Bromley

Known for her bilingual music for families, Flor Bromley takes a different approach to her latest collection, Herstory, a concept album that celebrates women from every continent. The title track anthem sets the tone with a chorus of female voices of all ages proclaiming, “Herstory, herstory, I want to hear her story/Herstory herstory, I want to hear our story.” From there, listeners are treated to songs about brave, talented, smart, incredible women; some who are well known and some that they might be meeting for the first time. Included in the collection are astronaut Emily Calandrelli (North America), author Isabel Allende (South America), Olympic marathon champion Fatuma Roba (Africa), singer Gloria Estefan (Central America), environmental activist Greta Thunberg (Europe), inventor Sahithi Pingali (Asia), explorers Clare Ballantyne, Mairi Hilton, Natalie Corbett and Lucy Bruzzone (Antarctica -penguins!), and politician Louisa Wall (Oceania). The beauty of the album isn’t just in the variety of women that are highlighted, but in the fact that Bromley chose musical genres and styles for each song that matched not just the woman, but the land that she is from. Space pop, salsa, punk rock, African drums, soaring cello, it’s all here, allowing the music to flow from one track to the next connected by the common theme of empowerment. The closing song, “Trailblazing” perfectly bookends the album, leaving listeners with a gentle call to action, imploring them that it is “time to create your story.” Herstory is our story and needs to be shared in the classroom, in the car, at home, and with family and friends.

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Video Spotlight: New Songs of the Summer

Librarians, Parents, Teachers, Uncategorized

2025 is shaping up to be a phenomenal year for new children’s music. Not only have a couple dozen new albums been released in the past few months, but many of your favorite artists have also released singles for you to enjoy. Some of the new songs are standalones, some are teasers for upcoming albums, and others feature special collaborations. No matter their origin, all are fantastic and fun. Below is just a sampling of some of the incredible music coming your way. Looking for more children’s music? Be on the lookout for playlists on Spotify or you favorite streaming service. When looking for new playlists, try looking for those curated by children’s music artists such as this one from Kath Bee or this list from Claudia Robin Gunn. There is so much more to children’s music than just movie and television soundtracks so take some time and explore all that is out there. And in the meantime, enjoy these new sounds of the summer.

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Let’s Have Some Fun!

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School’s out. The sun is out. Summer is in full swing. You know that means – it’s time to have some fun! The three albums highlighted today bring the fun and so much more. Take a listen, have a laugh, do some dancing, then take a nap because that’s what summers are made for!

Let’s get the fun started with Jesse Jukebox Sells Out, the fifth album from Jesse Jukebox (aka Jesse Friedberg). Jesse kicks things off with “Hey Little Rockstar,”  then carries the rock ‘n’ roll vibe through songs about being knowledgeable about a lot of things, making friends, and the empowering “Afraid But Brave,” a fantastic song with the important message, “Being scared doesn’t mean I’m out,” when it comes to things like learning to ride a bike or being the new kid at school. The tempo and tone slows and quiets with “Not at Your Best,”  a tune that emphasizes we still love and are loved even when we’re having a bad moment or day, and the entertaining, “Farted on the Bus.” With a topic that kids love, everyone can relate to, and a chorus that listeners will have a hard time getting out of their heads, this track will be a hit. Sprinkled throughout the album are “ads” for a wide range of silly products from Squeens Beans to toothpaste that tastes like orange juice, to the newest musical sensation The Bland Boys to a very horrifying type of smellovision. With this album, Jesse sells out in the best way, creating songs with themes that will appeal to kids while crafting music and a flow to the album that will keep the whole family listening from beginning to end!

 

Next up is a duo that are known for always having a good time and Todd ‘n’ Tina do not disappoint with their newest album, The Color Weasel. There is so much fun packed into the ten tracks in this collection. If you need to tire some kiddoes out, the frenetic “Chicken Pot Pie” will have them running in circles and jumping around while “Freeze” would be a great addition to outdoor storytimes or summer camp activities. The joyful “Popsicle Party” adds to the summer vibe as does “Travelin’ Man” about the freedom that comes with riding around on your bike. Creating songs that entertain while also being filled with heart is a staple of the music from Todd ‘n’ Tina and that is on full display in the title track, “The Color Weasel” about a weasel who only sees things in black in white until he learns that different points of view are important to “a world of technicolor and to break down barriers.” 

 

 

 

Last, but certainly not least, is the silliest, funniest, laugh-out-loudiest album of them all – Slippery When Peeled from Go Banana Go! and Flula Borg. The result of this latest collaboration from comedy music performers Jim Roach and Brian Wecht and German actor/comedian Flula Borg is 10 ridiculous, often absurd tracks that will keep listeners young and old giggling from beginning to end as the story in each song unfolds. The album opens with “Hot Coco!,”  a spot-on parody of Chappell Roan’s “HOT TO GO!” before tackling additional dance songs covering topics like “Eggs”, and a “Party Goat.” Also included is “I’m Gonna Clean My Room,” which has a musical theater feel and devolves into the main character singing only to annoy his sister, and the lounge singer, jazzy tune “That’s Breakfast,” as well as “Sleep Meditation” which quickly takes an unexpected turn. As with all of Go Banana Go!’s outings, this album is filled with clever lyrics that are paired with instrumentations that perfectly match the tone of each song. No matter your age, if you need a little pick me up, take a listen to any of the songs on Slippery When Peeled!

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Dandelion performed by Greg Lato

Librarians, Parents, Teachers, Uncategorized

Greg Lato Dandelion album coverOn the surface, Greg Lato‘s latest album, Dandelion: Songs Inspired by Military Kids and Families is a concept album. Created following conversations Lato (himself a Navy veteran) had with military families, each song is written with the experiences of military kids in mind. However, once you start listening, you realize that calling Dandelion a concept album doesn’t even begin to do it justice. Dandelion is in fact a love letter. A love letter to the families, and especially the kids, who give up everything in support of their loved ones and our country. 

With the 13 tracks on Dandelion, Lato balances songs that speak directly to the military experience with those that will have universal appeal. Throughout the collection, he partners with those who can relate to these experiences. Lato is joined on the title track by the kids choir from CAMMO (Center for American Military Music Opportunities) to sing about what it’s like to be a “dandelion,” a term I didn’t know stood for a military kid. As listeners learn from the song, children of service members are called dandelions because just like the flower, they are strong and resilient and grow wherever they are planted. To learn more about the experience from a former military kid’s perspective, read the blog post “Dandelion Children” by Spc. Gabriella Sullivan.

Additional songs that speak to the military life of kids include “Home” that emphasizes that home is family and “it’s not a place, it’s a feeling,” “Brats” which highlights the fact that being a military brat is actually a good thing (and on which Lato is joined by the Portsmouth Rhode Island School Military Kids), and “Helping Out,” where Lato gets an assist from fellow children’s music artist and Iraq War veteran Mr. Pete’s Playhouse, in describing all the ways that military kids have to step up and help out when a parent is deployed. 

Songs with more universal appeal include the opening track, “Hi! I’m New Here,” a duet with 14-year-old military kid Kaleyana Ludwig about being the new kid in school and “Dippin’ Chicken” and “Gotta Eat a Pizza” which take listeners on a walk on the silly side of life. Lato also incorporates a beautiful song just for parents called, “Before I Had Kids,” and closes out the album with a song every child and adult should listen to, “To Be a Veteran,” which provides the rarely illustrated point of view of a new veteran, just returning to civilian life. 

Dandelion will touch your heart, make you smile and laugh, and leave you with a better understanding of the lives of the thousands of military children around the world. Thank you for your service Greg and thank you for giving us this music!

Here’s a look at a song from Dandelion that many of us can relate to, “Old School, New School.”

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