andy z – Kids Rhythm and Rock

2025 Children’s Music Roundup

January 14, 2026 Veronica 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

Leave a comment andy z, ashley mills monaghan, aura v, beetBite, brady rymer, bug friend, captain festus mcboyle, city birds, city love, claudia robin gunn, dana, eeme and shan, electric blue yonder, flor bromley, fyutch, go banana go, greg lato, griot b, heather feather, hopscotch songs, jesse jukebox, jesse palter, justin roberts, katie dwyer, little miss ann, mama nous, marko polo, mega ran, mike bryden, miss jessica, mr. jeff, musiquita, princess backpack and benjamin, red grammer, rolie polie guacamole, scott and mark hoying, shawny, todd n tina, tom foote, twinkle time, wendy and db, you and us

Video Spotlight – “1 4 3” performed by Andy Z

June 29, 2021 Veronica Librarians, Parents, Teachers, Uncategorized

While everyday should be Mister Rogers Day, the official celebration as declared by Mister Rogers’s home state of Pennsylvania is May 23. Why May 23? It’s the 143rd day of the year which also happens to be Mister Rogers’s favorite number. But 143 is not just any random number. In fact it holds a lot of significance. For Mister Rogers, 143 symbolized “I Love You.” I is one letter long, love is four letters long and you is three, hence 143. Veteran children’s performer Andy Z has taken 143 and created a lovely song in the spirit of Mister Rogers and his philosophy of kindness and love. His video, “1 4 3,” explains the meaning of 143 set against a colorful, joyful animated background. As the normalcy of life returns, it’s more important than ever to remember that we need to continue to care about one another and show that care in big and little acts of kindness. Don’t just sit there, get out and spread the love!

2018 Children’s Music Roundup

November 4, 2018 Veronica Librarians, Parents, Teachers, Uncategorized

Welcome to Kids Rhythm and Rock’s first ever Children’s Music Roundup!! Throughout the past year I thought a lot about doing a “10 Best” list, but the music for children this year was so diverse and so dynamic, there was no way I could limit my choices. What I decided to do instead was to make a list of my favorite albums of the year, then break the list up by categories. (If I reviewed an album here, I’ve included the link.) So, without further ado, here is the 2018 Children’s Music Roundup!

Most Amazing Album Covers:
Come for the covers, stay for the fantastic music!

Blue Skies and Sunny Days performed by Frances England
Wake Up the Dream performed by Secret Agent 23 Skidoo

Be Mindful, Be Kind:
Music to guide our everyday lives.

Every Voice performed by Kira Willey
Dog on the Floor performed by Raffi

Oh, to be Little:
Perfect tunes for the preschool crowd.

Come Together performed by Jeanie B!
High Five! performed by Laura Doherty

Sounds of Summer:
Winter may soon be upon many of us, but these albums are good anytime of the year.

Camp Andyland performed by Andy Z
Fireflies performed by Mister G

It’s Science!:
Who knew science could be so fun?

Giants of Science performed by The Pop Ups
Kidz STEM Songs performed by Dan Crow and Friends
Zoom a Little Zoom: A Ride Through Science performed by Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer

Life Through a Special Set of Eyes:
Meet Jamey, his cat and his new puppy as they partake in the joys of summer.

Kitty Cat Under My Wheelchair performed by Steve Pullara and His Cool Beans Band

For Fans of the “Who Was/ Who Is” Series:
What better group of people to learn about than Nobel Laureates?

Legion of Peace performed by Lori Henriques Quintet featuring Joey Alexander

Where in the World…:
Music inspired by cultures from around the world.

Falu’s Bazaar performed by Falu (India)
La Luna performed by 123 Andrés (Central and South America)

Jazziest Jams:
Everything’s groovy in this collection.

All the Sounds performed by Lucy Kalantari and the Jazz Cats

We Only Have One Earth:
Celebrate all the creatures, great and small, on this planet we call home.

Back to the Land performed by Hot Peas ‘N Butter
Why Why Why? performed by Ants Ants Ants

Introducing:
Who can resist a bilingual playground?

Happy Land is Tierra Feliz performed by Mi Amigo Hamlet

Musical Moms:
There are many moms on this list, but the moms below can’t be categorized!

Songs for Sisters and Brothers performed by Vered
Strawberry Wind performed by Jessie Baylin
Tour Guide performed by Cheri Magill
Wild is Everywhere performed by Sara Lovell

Music for a Cause:
Hold Tight, Shine Bright performed by 25+ children’s artists
This album was created to help keep families together. All proceeds go to RAICES Texas.

And finally –

Just Because They’re Awesome:
Building Blocks performed by Tim Kubart
Family Photo Album performed by Recess Monkey
Hand in Hand performed by Suzi Shelton

Did your favorites make the list?? Let me know in the comments below.

One comment 123 andres, andy z, ants ants ants, cathy fink, cheri magill, dan crow, falu, frances england, hot peas n butter, jeanie b!, jessie baylin, kira willey, laura doherty, lori henriques, lucy kalantari, marcy marxer, mi amigo hamlet, Mister G, raffi, recess monkey, sara lovell, secret agent 23 skidoo, steve pullara, suzi shelton, the pop ups, tim kubart, vered

Music Video Debut: “Camping Song”

July 10, 2018 Veronica Librarians, Parents, Teachers, Uncategorized

Just before the July 4th holiday I reviewed Andy Z’s new album, Camp Andyland. Now, just a little over a week later comes a brand new video for “Camping Song,” the seventh track on the album.

This video features live versions of Andy Z. (with guitar) and two teen campers inside the animated world of Camp Andyland. Throughout the song, especially during the chorus, the campers do movements that go along with the lyrics to create interactive moments for the viewers. Well-executed, animated characters from Camp Andyland seamlessly interact with Andy and the campers adding to the overall whimsical feel. This video for “Camping Song” is the perfect complement to the upbeat fun of the track. Enjoy (but watch out for those banana slugs)!

Camp Andyland Performed by Andy Z

July 1, 2018 Veronica Librarians, Parents, Teachers, Uncategorized

Summer is the time of year when kids start heading off to camp. For some it’s overnight camp, for some day camp, and for others camp for just a weekend. For those hanging out at home this summer, there’s a new fictional camp filled with musical adventures just waiting for them.

Camp Andyland is the newest entry in the Andyland series from Andy Z (aka Andreas Zamenes). At Camp Andyland, campers/listeners are welcomed to camp, then treated to a delightful array of songs filled with fun lyrics that will make campers singalong. Each of the original songs tells a story that is packed with information wrapped in beautiful melodies like “Butterfly” and upbeat romps like “Drink More Water.” Throughout their time at Camp Andyland, listeners are invited to go stargazing in “Galaxy Song,” join in the hijinx in the “Pirate Song” and imagine what it would be like if “I Went to a Party with Dinosaurs.” While at camp, they enjoy old favorites like “Sticky Bubblegum” and “Row Your Boat” while learning new nature songs about “Squirrely Squirrel,” “Bizzy Bee,” and “La Araña Pequenita.”

Camp Andyland is a true joy from beginning to end. And speaking of end, I love that Andy Z carried the theme of the album all the way through to the details on the back of the CD packaging, including not just a song list, but a Camp Andyland Roster , a schedule of the day’s events while at camp and even emergency numbers for the Vet (555-PAWZ) and the Dino Doctor (555-RAWR).

Check out the video for “Drink More Water” below. I never thought that a song about the need to drink more water throughout the day would be catchy and fun to sing, but this song definitely proved me wrong! (Love the movements that would make this an easy addition to a program!!)