2022 Children’s Music Round Up
Welcome to Kids Rhythm and Rock’s annual Children’s Music Round Up! For those of you new to the site, 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. The total number of albums that are included varies from year-to-year. This year 45 albums make an appearance in the list below.
The richness and depth that is family music just keeps growing. 2022 saw the introduction of new artists, established acts returning after creative hiatuses, and veteran performers taking risks and trying something new. Let’s say hello to 2023 by taking a look back at the “year that was” in children’s music. All albums are available online. Don’t see your favorites? Please add them in the comments.
Be Mindful, Be Kind
Music to guide our everyday lives.
- For Children of All Ages performed by You and Us
- Happy Day performed by Jenn Cleary
- Just a Minute performed by Jesse Jukebox
- Mosaic performed by Jumpin’ Jamie
- Nursery Rhymes for Kinder Times performed by Raffi and Lindsay Monroe
- Your Voice is Magic performed by Again Again
Dynamic Duos
Sometimes it’s just more fun to sing with a friend.
- Best Day Ever performed by Stacey & Athena
- Dear Heart performed by Martin and Rose
- The Greats performed by Louis & Dan and the Invisible Band
- Smith & Yarn performed by Aaron Nigel Smith and Red Yarn
Festival de Música
Music in Spanish and English for the whole family to enjoy.
- Los Fabulosos performed by Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band
- Mi Colores performed by Nathalia
- Musiquita performed by Musiquita
Oh, to be Young
Perfect tunes for the preschool crowd
- Let’s Move performed by Katie Dwyer
- Echo Songs, Vol. 2 performed by Noodle Loaf
- Forgot My Oars performed by Tim Seston
- Rain Rain Go Away performed by Adam Steele
- Wondering performed by Music with Gina
Our Friends to the South
2022 was the year when music from Australia and New Zealand arrived on the scene.
- Are We There Yet? performed by Yeah Nah
- Benny and Friends performed by Benny Time
- Can You Hear the Sound? performed by The Lemon Drops
- Imaginarium performed by Itty Bitty Beats
- Sing for the Sea – Little Wild Ocean Friends by Claudia Robin Gunn
Potpourri
This was always my favorite category on Jeopardy!
- Aliens, Astronauts and Asteroids! performed by Steve Pullara and His Cool Beans Band
- Green Album performed by Gro-Town
- Imaginations performed by Paper Rainbows
- Magic Beans performed by Eric Herman and the Puppy Dogs
- Traveling Together performed by Brighter Light Brigade
- You Are Magic performed by Triple Rainbow
Rockin’ Rhythms
I’m a little bit rock ‘n’ roll!
- Moonwalking performed by Young Folk (Josh Lovelace)
- Nutmegger performed by Steve Elci and Friends
- Robots Don’t Tell Jokes performed by Kelli Welli
- That Friday Feeling performed by Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could
Sweet Home, Chicago
All of these artists call Chicagoland home.
- Into the Little Blue House performed by Wendy & DB
- Sing & Soar performed by Nanny Nikki
- Space Cadet performed by Justin Roberts
- Welcome Spring performed by Little Miss Ann
The Children Are Our Future
These groups put young people front and center in creating and performing music that educates, entertains, and uplifts all those who listen to it.
- The Movement performed by Alphabet Rockers
- Multiply performed by The Wise Channel
Unique Musical Stylings
There was nothing else quite like these albums this year.
- Adults These Days performed by Greg Lato
- Dark Side of the Banana performed by Go Banana Go!
- Dinosaurs and Monsters performed by Howdytoons
- Mammal Music performed by Marko Polo
Unstoppable Beats
Music to get you moving and grooving.
- In the Pocket performed by Uncle Devin
- It’s Me, Ronnie Boy! performed by Ronnie Boy Kids
- Jukebox performed by Street Corner Symphony
“I’m an a cappella fella with an a cappella family,” declares Steve Pullara on the opening track from his latest album, An A Cappella Family. Over the course of ten light, uplifting songs, Steve and his talented “family,” a group of musicians who recorded the entire album from a distance during the pandemic, entertain listeners with clever lyrics and jaunty melodies. The songs cover a wide range of topics including having gum stuck to the bottom of your shoe, the fun of slurping while eating, and the trials of losing your car in the parking lot. Also included are songs about a family’s adopted dog Bowzer and adopted cat Whiskers, a great tune about the fact that almost everything in life arrives at the store via truck, and a cool song about friends that proudly declares, “Big or small, short or tall, my friends come in all shapes and sizes.” While the majority of the album is very up tempo, things do slow down a bit with songs like “Midnight on the Moon” and “Ti Amo Lullaby.”
Come for the covers, stay for the fantastic music!
The first time I listen to a new album (I generally listen to each album at least 3 times), I like to go in “blind.” I don’t read the liner notes or any of the accompanying PR. I just listen. This was true of the first time that I listened to Backyards & Home Fronts. With barely a glance at the packaging, I popped the CD in, pressed play and bopped along while I sorted the mail and straightened the kitchen. At the end, I thought, that was nice. Kids will like the song about using your imagination while drawing on the car window with your finger. They’ll be able to relate to the song about playing with a refrigerator box. Many of them will understand the song about the child who is growing older along with a pet.