Albums That ROCK!
One of the aspects of modern children’s music that I absolutely love is that it encompasses all genres of music – hip hop, jazz, folk, country, pop, funk, blues, and even rock. And that’s the one that I want to focus on today. Three rock albums that rock so far in 2024 are from Steve Elci, Patrick Adams, and Mr. Evan V.
Let’s kick things off with Steve Elci and Friends‘ sixth album for families, All Together Now. Elci’s roots as a singer/songwriter and activist are skillfully combined with his Bob Dylan-esque vocals, if Dylan enunciated and set his lyrics to up tempo beats, in this collection of 13 original songs. Whether highlighting the beauty of nature on tracks about sunflowers, fireflies, and trees, or sharing messages of peace and love, each song’s lyrics speak directly to the listener, encouraging them and lifting them up to believe in themselves and the world around them. Check out the videos for “The Sound of Trees,“ “The Power of the Sunflower,” and the call to action “We Rise Above.”
Next up, Patrick Adams‘s latest album, Imagination Time with Patrick, his eighth album for kids and families, runs the gamut from synth and guitar heavy rock to disco-pop. This 15 track collection kicks off with driving electric guitar on the opening song, “Hairless Werewolf“ about a friendly werewolf who can’t grow hair, before taking listeners on a tour through Patrick’s imagination where zombie ballerinas, fluffy dinosaurs, space trains, and alien dance parties reside. The album closes out with “Imagination Station” which reminds children that everyone has an amazing imagination that provides space for creation (writing, art, music), without limitation.
Finally, nobody rocks quite like Mr. Evan V. Filled with electric guitars and drums, Let Us Rock jams from the first note to last in this 12-track debut collection. Songs to rock to include the opening title track, “Driving in My Racecar,” and “Fire Truck, Fire Truck.” Mr. Evan’s time leading music classes is evident in the number of songs on the album that would be perfect in storytimes. From “Blowing Bubbles,” to the shaker song “Shake Shake Shake” to the movement song, “French Fry, Pizza,” each of these songs would enhance any early childhood classes. The album also offers an interlude to the raucous fun with “Swimming in the Water,” which captures the lazy, hazy days of summer.
Are you ready to rock?? Take a listen to these three albums today!!
Almost two weeks ago, my family (my sister, her husband, our 84 year old dad, and I) embarked on a road trip to South Dakota. None of us had been to the western side of the state before so we were all very excited. We saw all the sights along the way – the world’s largest truck stop in Iowa, the Corn Palace, Wall Drug, Mount Rushmore, the Crazy Horse Monument, the Black Hills and the Badlands. We also made a brief stop in Deadwood and checked out two amazing sights, Bear Country, USA and Reptile Gardens which were tucked in amongst some kitschy places but were really incredible. From the time we set off on our trip, my dad said there was only one thing he wanted to buy while we were gone – an authentic cowboy hat. As you can see, his wish was granted on the second day of the trip and he definitely got his money’s worth out of it while we were gone.
We made the 14 hour trip to and from Rapid City, South Dakota over the course of two days each way, making 
My love of languages began when I was a child; probably around the time I was in grade school, and we learned “Are You Sleeping?” in English, French, and German. My interest in French only deepened when I found this book, Fun with French, at the public library. I checked it out so many times I’m surprised they didn’t gift it to me when I graduated. My dad spoke Spanish fluently, but I studied Latin and French in high school and when I went to college, ended up getting a degree in French. Even though many years have gone by, my interest in languages has never waned. I’ve taken conversational Spanish classes specific to work in the library, and quite a while ago, even took a Russian class at the community college, just for the fun of it. While my French and Spanish skills have greatly diminished due to lack of use, it is when I hear music in those languages that I seem to recall the most. Words and phrases come back to me, dancing through my mind along with whatever melody accompanies them.
The first album up is Au Zoo (At the Zoo) – French Learning Songs from 
Last, but certainly not least, on today’s playlist is the first full-length Spanish language album from 
To continue our Pride Month celebration, today I’m shining a spotlight on the brand new video from 
Happy Pride Month! I am very excited to kick-off this June with the newest album from the Philadelphia-based trio 
As New Zealand Music Month wraps up, I’d like to turn our attention to the southern hemisphere and the latest outing from Levity Beet. Levity Beet and the Aotearoa All Stars, the first album from Levity’s new label “Wildbeet Records,” is chock full of New Zealand notables and features collaborations with 12 different writers/performers/producers from New Zealand’s rich family music industry. Special guests include familiar names like Itty Bitty Beats, Music with Michal, and Claudia Robin Gunn as well as names that might be new to American audiences such as Suzy Cato, Craig Smith, fleaBITE, Kath Bee, Judy Cranston, Chris Sanders, Mr. Roberelli, MLO, and Loopy Tunes. 
It’s that time of year again. The countdown to the last day of school is on – for the students and the teachers. Parents are looking for goodbye gifts for their children to give to their favorite teachers (everyone needs another mug, right?) and kids are making special cards filled with precious sentiments. To celebrate the gift that is teachers, consider sharing this wonderful new song of gratitude from the dynamic duo 
The picture book Why Do We Sing? is written by Tsui and Breves with illustrations by Tsui. All of the ways that the album answers the question why do we sing (and more!) are depicted in the words and the pictures of the story. As with the soundtrack, the digital illustrations reflect a diverse array of characters and cultures. The pacing of the story and the color palette – steeped in blues and purples with pops of pastels, make Why Do We Sing? a versatile book that can be read with great gusto and excitement during storytime, or a little slower and quieter just before bed.