Albums that Uplift
I don’t know about you, but in today’s often stressful, messy world, I sometimes think, “Gosh, I wish I was still a kid.” Children’s lives are so easy, right? Filled with play and imagination and fun. Not a care in the world. Except, that’s not true. Children are constantly having new experiences, new emotions, new friendships, all of which can be scary or joyful or somewhere in between, Unlike adults, children often don’t have the tools in their young toolboxes to deal with all of this newness. That’s where the four albums featured here come in. These albums lift listeners spirits, provide encouragement and empowerment, and offer some ideas on how to cope with all of the new things a child may be experiencing.
First up is Big from singer/songwriter/music educator Kim Noller. The title song kicks off the album and sets the stage for the ten tracks filled with reassuring messages of affirmation. From “Big” which addresses all of the big feelings that children experience, to “Time to Dance,” a tune about letting your light shine just as brightly as anyone else’s, to the closing track, “Worthy,” Noller’s lyrics uplift listeners, filling them with hope and the encouragement to believe in themselves. Her rich vocals lend a depth to each song including the upbeat, interactive movement song “Good Day,” and the unique “Let’s Write Another Song” which celebrates a variety of musical genres.
Next up is Pam Felber of Ziggity Zag Music with her debut album Circle Round to Joy! Felber’s over 35 years as a music educator, along with her understanding of Social Emotional Learning (SEL), are evident throughout the eleven original songs in this collection. Whether she is singing about building relationships with others on “Can I Join Your Circle” and “I See You” or managing your emotions on “Choose Happy,” Felber weaves an underlying message of kindness and support throughout. While this was a family affair with Felber’s four grandsons and other family members appearing on the album, it is Felber’s light soprano that takes center stage.
Now let’s turn the spotlight on The World is Waiting for You, the most recent album from Linda Yapp. Yapp, the founder of the Nye Beach Montessori School in Newport, Oregon, imbues her music with messages of peace, kindness and a respect for all living things. Her crystalline voice combined with the folksy melodies creates an almost ethereal quality, filling listeners with a sense of warmth and tranquility.
And finally, the perfect album with which to end the day, Dreamland: Relax and Imagine. This collection, the third family album from singer/songwriter Jenn Cleary, serves to soothe the soul of listeners young and old with songs that offer peace and encourage relaxation. Each track is completely unique and features Cleary’s storytelling style lyrics and engaging vocals. The title track has a pseudo-psychedelic feeling to it, making it a fun alternative to standard lullabies. Whether she is calling to mind the lush green hills of Ireland in “Celtic Dream,” teaching listeners about the constellations in “Rocking Chair to the Stars,” or detailing the different types of “Clouds,” Cleary manages to educate as well as entertain.
Let’s kick things off with 
Next up, 
Finally, nobody rocks quite like 
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