Make your holiday shopping simple and successful this year with NAPPA’s handy guide to the best toys, books, software, DVDs, music and spoken word recordings for every child on your gift list. Use these pages as your personal shopping guide, or send them to relatives who are looking for those “special” gifts that your kids will enjoy today and remember forever.

This year, NAPPA judges evaluated more than 600 entries to select the top 70 children’s resources – spread across four age groups in six categories of products. In our quest to honor what’s new, challenging and creative for kids, our judges looked for a balance of entertainment and learning. They considered kid appeal (i.e., fun), uniqueness, educational value, age-appropriateness and longevity as kids grow. You can be sure that these high-quality products will be hits with the kids on your gift list.

Meet the NAPPA Judges!

NAPPA Honors Winners
In addition to the NAPPA Gold Award winners highlighted here, our judges have selected a number of other great items that merit special attention.

Check out
www.NAPPA.Parenthood.com for the 2005 NAPPA Honors winners, as well as previous years’ NAPPA winners.

Your Shopping List To Go
Download a convenient, printer-friendly shopping list of 2005 NAPPA winners online at www.NAPPA.Parenthood.com.

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Toys
By Ellen Metrick

There’s no doubt about it: kids love toys and play is a great way for children to learn new skills and to express themselves. This year’s Gold Award-winning toys are sure to provide endless hours of fun while stimulating children and giving them a sense of mastery. Better yet, many of these toys will appeal to adults as well as kids, so join in the fun and enrich your child’s playtime!

For infants & Toddlers
• Bathtime Kitchen Sink, Sassy Inc.; $16.99; sassybaby.com; for ages 9 months and up. This floating mesh sink with nozzle, squirt bottle, scrubber, scooping toys and strainer activities brings imaginative kitchen play to the tub.

• Lamaze Chime Garden, RC2 Corp.; $24.99; for ages 6 months and up. This musical bouquet invites children to press a flower to play single notes, part of a song or the entire song. All three modes of touch trigger rhythmic lights that flash to the music, while textured petals beckon little fingers to explore.

• Night Light Soother, Chicco USA; $29.99; chiccousa.com; for newborns and up. Soothing classical music, nature sounds, new age melodies or a caregiver’s recorded voice accompany a large night light with softly lit, changing colors. The lights and music are activated by the child’s touch or vocal play.

• Radio Flyer Classic Rock & Bounce Pony, Radio Flyer; $69.99; radioflyer.com; for ages 9 months and up. This rocking, ride-on molded plastic horse has a removable, washable cloth cover. Patented “Rubber Bounce Suspension” provides a smoother, quieter and safer experience than traditional spring-based construction. The base is gently curved for subtle rocking, and a removable plastic support ring can support children who have not yet mastered balancing.

For Preschoolers
• It’s a Match, Discovery Toys; $22.99; discoverytoysinc.com. This educational game expands a child’s visual discrimination and cognitive skills. The first step is to match identical pictures, colors and shapes before gradually advancing to making correlations: between similar pictures, full pictures and close-ups, real photos and drawings, or animals and their habitats. The unique design enables children to make a match and check their answers.

• Pretend & Play Count & Click Camera, Learning Resources; $19.95; learningresources.com. This pretend camera makes counting a snap! Each time the shutter is pressed, one of 10 photos depicting a different number of objects is seen. The durable plastic photo frames can hold actual 3.5-by-5-inch photos, or children can draw their own pictures on the blank, wipe-off surface on the flip side of the photos included in the set.

• Pretend & Play® Trace & Learn Cake, Learning Resources; $24.95; learningresources.com. Decorate this cake with static cling designs, wipe-off crayons and letter stamps that help teach letters, simple spelling and counting. All accessories store neatly inside the cake.

• Woody Click Rescue Center, HaPe International Inc.; $39.95; hapetoys.com. This make-and-play Rescue Center, complete with helicopter and emergency equipment, uses a snap-on system of wooden pegboards and shapes fitted with plastic pegs to create a solid, sturdy structure. The natural wood and simple design let imaginations soar!

For Ages 5 & Up
• Disney Personal DVD Player, Disney Electronics; $129.99; disneyconsumerproducts.com. Play DVDs, mini DVDs, audio CDs, MP3s or digital picture disks in this compact, handheld combination unit. The small screen provides a clear picture, and stereo speakers with volume control amplify the desired level of sound. This unit has the same features as a typical DVD player. Rechargeable batteries and charger/power cord are included.

• WonderChess, WonderChess LLC; $19.95; wonderchess.com. This unique game teaches children (and adults) how to play chess using clearly written and illustrated lessons. WonderFillers are the hollow chess pieces in which to store small candies, stickers or other motivational prizes that the victor claims when a playing piece is captured. WonderChess breaks down the daunting task of learning chess into “digestible” pieces!

For Ages 8 & Up
• Anagramania! Junior Edition, Karmel Games Inc.; $26.95; anagramania.com. Anagramania is word play at its finest. Play this intriguing new board game by rearranging letters in words to create new words. The answers lie in the cleverly written clues that include the anagram word. Up to six players can compete to be the first to reach the winner’s circle.

• Cranium Family Fun, Cranium Inc.; $19.95; playcranium.com. This team-played board game is simple to learn and a hoot to play! Players use drawing, molding, acting, humming and thinking to travel the path on the board to win. The game cards combine unique activities using various media so that players of all ages and creative abilities get to shine throughout the game.

• Dragon Shoulder Puppet, Folkmanis Inc.; $50; folkmanis.com. This mythical dragon perches on a puppeteer’s shoulder and comes alive with a plastic hand grip that rests behind the puppeteer’s shoulder and arm. The bright, scaly material and piercing eyes framed by bushy black brows will enchant children of all ages.

Ellen is a toy specialist with the National Lekotek Center.

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DVDs & Videos
By Ranny Levy

Today, parents have more high-quality DVD choices for their children than ever before. The best titles teach while they entertain, bring classic literature to the screen and are produced with vast and inspiring expertise. These producers have thoroughly researched not only the subject but the vocabulary of their program, to ensure that it is really suitable for your young child, whatever his or her age. As always, we’ve designated specific age ranges here because we believe that not all children’s programming is right for all children.

For Toddlers & Preschoolers
• Fun with Dance, Kiddie Village, 2005; $15 DVD; 30 min.; kiddievillage.com. Host puppets Hippie and Oscarita introduce the joy of movement as they travel the globe. The animated and live-action dance segments feature various animals — from penguins waddling to birds flying — inspiring kids to join in and move like the animals. The DVD also includes dance forms from around the world, such as African dance and a South American tango. Feet puppets demonstrate various dance styles, including tap, jazz and ballet. This is a fun way to expose toddlers to movement in new and exploratory ways that promote creative learning.

• My Baby Can Talk — First Signs, Baby Hand Productions, 2004; $19.95 DVD; 45 min.; mybabycantalk.com. A perfect gift for new parents. Babies haven’t developed the small motor skills that enable them to talk, yet they can understand much of what’s being said to them. Teaching sign language is considered a great way to help babies “talk” back. This DVD shows parents — and babies! — the basics of sign language and includes an excellent tutorial and quick-reference sign chart.

For Preschoolers & up
• Bark George … and More Doggie Tales, Scholastic Entertainment, 2005; $14.95 DVD, $9.95 VHS; 53 min.; scholastic.com. The three engaging and delightfully silly doggie stories on this DVD will make a great evergreen addition to your children’s media library. “Bark George,” an award-winning story by Jules Feiffer and narrated by John Lithgow, makes us wonder if George can get his bark back. “Dot the Fire Dog,” by Lisa Desimini, shows us a dog who is as heroic as the firefighters themselves. Finally, Gene Zion’s “No Roses for Harry!” will keep kids and parents laughing at this dog’s funny sweater adventure.

• Giggle, Giggle, Quack … and More Funny Favorites, Scholastic Entertainment, 2004; $14.95 DVD, $9.95 VHS; 57 min.; scholastic.com. This is a truly wonderful adaptation of the classic picture book by Doreen Cronin and illustrated by Betsy Lewin. We see Farmer Brown go on vacation and leave his brother, Bob, in charge. Little does Bob know that Duck has changed all of Farmer Brown’s instructions on how to take care of the animals. Narrated by country singer Randy Travis, this release also features knee-slapping music set to a hillbilly beat by Scott Huff. Producers Paul Gagne and Melissa Reilly of Weston Woods Studios also received the 2004 Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Children’s Video for this release.

• Here Comes the ABCs, Disney Sound, 2005; $12.98 DVD; 45 min.; disneyrecords.com. Host puppets John and John, from the band They Might Be Giants, introduce the alphabet with unforgettable melodies and colorful, high-quality animations. Program highlights include the “Alphabet of Nations,” which points out countries from A to Z geographically, and “C for Conifers,” which explores the world of trees. Additionally, several puppets of the Deeply Felt Puppet Theater perform songs, including an especially clever one about “the vowel family.” But there’s more than just alphabet learning going on here — the catchy tunes will even appeal to grown-ups! Check out the NAPPA Gold Award-winning CD release too.

• Veggie Tales: Minnesota Cuke and the Search for Samson’s Hairbrush, Big Idea Inc., 2005; $14.99 DVD; 43 min.; bigidea.com. View this first-rate animation as a history, myth or Bible lesson that’s suitable for family or church viewing. Styled like an Indiana Jones adventure, the story will keep kids on the edge of their seats while they learn important life lessons. Bullying is a topical issue, especially with older children. When Junior stands up to the bully, the bully — realistically enough — isn’t even fazed. But, the situation is not as hopeless as it seems. Kids learn that if they stand up for what is right and exercise the power in working together, they will triumph in the end.

For Ages 5 & Up
• Pioneer Life for Children: Westward Expansion in the U.S., Schlessinger Media, 2004; $29.95 DVD; 23 min.; libraryvideo.com. Real kids playing a game about history takes viewers on a tour of the old West. Events such as the California Gold Rush and the establishment of the Transcontinental Railroad come alive for kids through art from the era, music and an excellent narrative.

• Tall Tales & Legends: John Henry, Koch Vision, 2005; $14.98 DVD, $12.98 VHS; 52 min.; kochvision.com. John Henry comes to life in Danny Glover’s portrayal of this hero of American folklore. Though fiction, this story tells the amazing history of the transcontinental railroad and the perils of digging through mountains. Vintage photos and traditional songs add an authentic quality to the legend.

For Ages 7 & Up
• All in the Rhythm, Do-Re-Me & You, 2004; $25.95 DVD/CD; 20 min.; drmy.com. Here’s a truly interactive DVD teaching hand games and rhythms that young girls, in particular, will find appealing. The catchy classic rhymes, such as “Miss Mary Mack” and “Down Down Baby,” are joined by such new tunes as “Everything is Just Fine.” Once the rhymes and hand motions are learned through easy-to-follow demonstrations, listen to the accompanying CD and play the hand games anywhere.

• Popular Mechanics for Kids: Super Sea Creatures, Koch Vision, 2004; $14.98 DVD, $12.98 VHS; 80 min.; kochvision.com. Do you ever wonder how things work? Playful young hosts take viewers on an underwater journey to learn about the world that lies beneath the waves. Discover underwater hotels, how underwater bridge repairs are made, how sharks are trained and more. Crisp graphics and fascinating facts will keep your kids — and you — glued to the screen.

Ranny is the founder of the Coalition for Quality Children’s Media.

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Books
By Helen Foster James, Ed.D., Kathleen Krull and Peter Neumeyer, Ph.D.

Good times lie ahead for family read-alouds or cozy-corner reading by oneself. This year’s best bets round up irresistible “touch” or “listen” board books, silly rhymes and storylines, clever pop-ups that beckon exploration, and fact books that both satisfy and pique curiosity. Peruse your favorite bookstore for the following titles and read for yourself why each is a winner!

For Babies & Toddlers
• Baby Einstein: Baby da Vinci My Body, by Julie Aigner-Clark, illustrated by Nadeem Zaidi, Baby Einstein Co., 2005, $7.99. Toddlers can see themselves, their noses, their toes, their hair or someone they love in the mirrors on each page of this engaging board book.

• Baby Einstein: Discover and Play, by Barbara Egel, illustrated by Nadeem Zaidi, Baby Einstein Co., 2004, $15.99. Enjoy 10 classical tunes, from Beethoven to Chopin, at the press of a button. Bound in a bright, attractive, generous-size book with intricate pop-ups! Won top marks with one judge’s 18-month-old granddaughter.

• Little Quack’s Bedtime, by Lauren Thompson, illustrated by Derek Anderson, Simon & Schuster, 2005, $14.95. Little Quack is back with his four sibling ducklings and Mama Duck. This time it’s bedtime, but when will the ducklings ever be ready for sleep?

• This Is the Way the Baby Rides, by Susan Myers, illustrated by Hiroe Nakata, Abrams, 2005, $15.95. Act out this book with your baby as you read it aloud; observe that the pictured animals are playing the same games you are.

• Wiggle, by Doreen Cronin, illustrated by Scott Menchin, Atheneum, 2005, $12.95. Rhythmic rhymes help energetic toddlers wiggle and rollick until they are finally ready for bed.

For Preschoolers & Kindergartners
• Click, Clack, Quackity-Quack: An Alphabetical Adventure, by Doreen Cronin, illustrated by Betsy Levin, Atheneum, 2005, $12.95. This jolly bedtime alphabet book begins with high-spirited action as all the barnyard animals “flippity-flip” and “jumpity-jump” and “tippity-toe” from the moment they wake up until bedtime, when they all yawn and then go “zzzzzzzz.”

• Moony Luna, by Jorge Argueta, illustrated by Elizabeth Gomez, Children’s Book Press, 2005, $16.95. A tender story, in Spanish and English, of a small child and her fear of the first day at school, where no one will know her nickname, “Moony Luna.”

• One Red Dot, by David A. Carter, Simon & Schuster, 2005, $19.95. A counting book with paper sculptures à la Alexander Calder. Truly unique, and truly “for all ages.”

• Over in the Ocean: In a Coral Reef, by Marianne Berkes, illustrated by Jeanette Canyon, Dawn Publications, 2004, $8.95. The pattern of the familiar rhyme “Over in the Meadow” is used to present information about sea life. Full-page tips from both the illustrator and the author will satisfy young writers and artists.

• Puppies! Puppies! Puppies!, by Susan Meyers, illustrated by David Walker, Abrams, 2005, $15.95. Puppy lovers won’t be able to resist this rhyming text celebrating a newborn dog’s various mischievous adventures. Each page features favorite breeds and mixes.

• Snappy Sounds Woof!, by Derek Matthews, Silver Dolphin Books, 2004, $12.95. Woofing, meowing, barking and little-bird-cheeping sounds escape as this bright battery-powered, pop-up book is opened. The story ends in a crescendo of all the animal sounds intermingled.

• Toot & Puddle: Wish You Were Here, by Holly Hobbie, Little, Brown & Company, 2005, $16.99. Here are our piggy-shaped friends again! Once Toot has returned from Borneo, he feels a bit under the weather until Puddle and Opal find him a purple slimecap stinkhorn mushroom — a perfect cure. And now there are green jungles to explore, closer to home.

• Traction Man Is Here!, by Mini Grey, Knopf, 2005, $15.95. Already a major award-winner, this book recounts the adventures of the green Spandex-clad action toy from his arrival in a toy box — with warnings not to swallow or to microwave — ’till, after a day of heroism, he relaxes on a blue expanse of carpet with his buddy, the Scrubbing Brush. One of our favorite books of the year!

For Ages 6 & Up
• Babar’s World Tour, by Laurent de Brunhoff, Abrams, 2005, $16.95. Babar, the beloved elephant, packs Mother and the children onto Elephant One and flies off around the world, learning a bit of the language of the lands they visit. Although the children get impatient at journey’s end, they’re soon ready to go again!

• Freaky Foods From Around the World, by Ramona Moreno Winner, illustrated by Luis Borsan, Brainstorm 3000, 2005, $15.95. A fascinating Spanish and English look at what people around the world eat. Includes recipes for Spider Salad, Fried Bush Crickets and more.

• Jerusalem Sky: Stars, Crosses & Crescents, by Mark Podwal, Doubleday, 2005, $15.95. “Synagogue stars, church crosses, mosque moons meet under the Jerusalem sky and merge their crosses,” as three religions invest the city with fervent beliefs and rich legends recounted in this expressively illustrated book.

• Karate Hour, by Carol Nevius, illustrated by Bill Thomson, Marshall Cavendish, 2004, $14.95. This nonfiction book presents a look at martial arts through bold black-and-white illustrations and a rhyming text.

• Once Upon a Time, the End (Asleep in 60 Seconds), by Geoffrey Kloske, illustrated by Barry Blitt, Atheneum, 2005, $15.95. Kids and parents will roar with laughter as they hear fairy tales and other popular stories that have been shortened to meet the needs of a very weary dad at the end of a long day.

For Ages 9 & Up
• Amelia to Zora: Twenty-Six Women Who Changed the World, by Cynthia Chin-Lee, illustrated by Megan Halsey and Sean Addy, Charlesbridge, 2005, $15.95. These biographical sketches of fascinating women, ranging from Helen Keller to Maya Lin, are brilliantly illustrated in this nonfiction book that will spark family discussion.

• Flush, by Carl Hiaasen, Knopf, 2005, $16.95. In this fast-moving book with plausible teen dialogue, young Noah Underwood and his sister, Abbey, have good evidence that the corrupt skipper of a gambling boat is dumping raw sewage into Florida’s offshore waters.

• Maritcha: A Nineteenth-Century American Girl, by Tonya Bolden, Abrams, 2005, $17.95. Excellent, well-researched photo essay on the life of an ordinary black girl born in poverty in 1848 who went on to become the first African-American to graduate from a Rhode Island high school.

• The Misadventures of Maude March … or Trouble Rides on a Fast Horse, by Audrey Couloumbis, Random House, 2005, $15.95. Well-written, fast-paced Wild West story starring 11-year-old Sallie and her “outlaw” sister Maude.

• Toulouse-Lautrec: The Moulin Rouge and the City of Light, by Robert Burleigh, Abrams, 2005, $17.95. This biography of Henri Toulouse-Lautrec captures the famed artist’s life and work with opulent information presented in an accessible text and complemented by photographs of his paintings.

• Transformed: How Everyday Things Are Made, by Bill Slavin, Kids Can Press, 2005, $24. Did you know that the first candles were sticks dipped in animal fat, that yogurt was enjoyed by the Mesopotamians in 5,000 B.C., and that kitty litter was originally composed of dry clay pellets? This book tells the story of more than 50 everyday products with clear text and ample illustrations.

Helen is an author and instructor in children’s literature. Kathleen is an author and widely published reviewer of children’s books. Peter is an author and a former English professor.

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Software
By Janice Stickley-White

This year’s Gold Award-winning software titles for children are distinguished by their depth, longevity of play, originality, visual impact, ease of installation and value for the price.

For Preschoolers & Up
• DiDi & Ditto, Kutoka Interactive, 2003, $19.95; WIN 98/ME/2000/XP and Mac System 9, OS X; Kutoka.com, for ages 4-6. Yes, Kutoka of Mia fame is back with leap-off-the-screen visuals that dazzle. In true Kutoka style, toddlers can click just about anywhere on the screen and get a result, while kindergarteners can apply logic to advance to new steps in the game. Players choose to be one of two characters — DiDi (female) or Ditto (male) — as they explore a storybook world and gather food to feed a wolf so he will free their beaver friend.

For Elementary Students & Up
• Core fx Three Level, Core Learning Ltd., 2005, $54.95; WIN 98 and up; core-learning.com; for ages 6 and up. Core fx is a blast. Turn your computer screen into a painting canvas with colorful pencils, paints, spirographics, click art, textures and animations. Small children can scribble, paint and erase endlessly, while teens can scan in, embellish, animate and re-invent their art. Players stay riveted to the screen as one cool option leads to the next. Art may be free-form or computer generated — using pattern and tiling effects, shape constructions and stamps. Kids can also experiment with realistic mediums that include crayon, charcoal, oil, chalk, felt pen, acrylic paint, watercolor and airbrush.

• Eco-Rangers: Animal Kingdom DVD Game, Snap TV Games, 2005, $24.99; DVD player; snaptvgames.com; for ages 6-10. A good bang for your buck, this versatile program can be played with one or multiple gamers on any DVD player. Combining cartoon-style graphics with legitimate documentary-style visuals, the game’s five missions span the Arctic to the Pacific Seas in a mix of nature images blended with classroom-style test questions presented by space-age rangers. Throw this game in the car for a long trip or play at home with the family.

• Jam Trax, Sony Media Software, 2005, $19.95; WIN 98SE, 2000/XP; sony.com/mediasoftware; for ages 10 and up. A steal for the price, this sophisticated composing program allows budding composers to create, record, play and e-mail original music from a switchboard screen that is visually easy to comprehend. Add a microphone for vocals and select a range of instruments — from electric bass to strumming guitar — to create a full band or even a full symphonic sound track. For younger musicians, Sony’s Music Looper offers the same concept for ages 6-9. In both programs, existing songs can be modified or embellished to expedite the learning process and produce music that sounds superb.

• 2 Animate!, 2SimpleUSA Inc., 2004, $32.95; WIN 98/98SE, 2000/ XP; 2simpleusashop.com; for ages 6-15. Future animators can create cartoons in this classroom-like instruction by capturing, scanning or creating an image they then turn into a moving picture. Very young kids like playing this game with a parent; teens go wild on their own. Also from 2Simple are its Early Learning Toolkit, in which players paint, publish, count, plot graphs and build databases; and a Music Toolkit, which explores pitch, melody, rhythmic patterns, harmony and music composition. This bright company has solid, intelligent software that’s worthy of attention.

Janice is a former teacher and computer-industry specialist.

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Music
By John Wood

This year saw another down-to-the-wire competition in the music category, especially in the age 4 and up category. With a nice mixture of seasoned veterans, talented up-and-comers and sounds of the indies, children’s music is thriving!

Lullabies
• Duermete, Mi Nino, Twin Sisters Productions, 2005; $12.99 CD; twinsisters.com; for all ages. This beautifully produced and performed collection of lullabies transcends language; you don’t have to understand Spanish to appreciate the mood it creates.

• Hello Moon, Maria Sangiolo, Raging River Records, 2000; $15 CD; mariasangiolo.com; for newborns to age 5. Sangiolo’s clear and soothing voice eases the transition from playtime to nighttime.

• I Have a Little Shadow, Steven and Caitlin Klaper, Little Shadow Productions, 2005; $19.95 CD; littleshadow.com; for all ages. This father-and-daughter team weaves original music with the poetry of Robert Louis Stevenson.

• Wings of Slumber, Banana Slug String Band, Slug Music, 2004; $14.98 CD; bananaslugstringband.com; for all ages. This veteran quartet delivers an hour of gentle, multicultural material that celebrates the Earth, environment, peace and understanding.

For infants & Toddlers
• A Poodle in Paris, Connie Kaldor, The Secret Mountain, 2004; $22.99 CD/Book; thesecretmountain.com. This award-winning Canadian folk artist’s engaging, cabaret-style CD and accompanying book is sure to appeal to the whole family.

• Don’t Blink, Parachute Express, Trio Lane Records, 2004; $14.98 CD; parachuteexpress.com. A wonderfully addictive collection of well-written, clever tunes that speak to the heart.

• Go Itsy, Asheba, COV Productions, 2002; $15 CD; asheba.net. Infectious Caribbean-style rhythms highlight this upbeat collection of original and traditional tunes.

• Jazz Baby: Session 1, Various Artists, Casablanca Kids, 2005; $9.99 CD; casablancakids.com. Classic family tunes with great jazz grooves are performed by stars such as Rosemary Clooney, Freddie Cole, Billy Preston, Taj Mahal, Cybil Shepard and Jim Belushi.

For Ages 4 & Up
• Bottle of Sunshine, Milkshake, Milkshake Music, 2004; $14.99 CD; milkshakemusic.com. Love the voice, love the songs, love the production, love this CD!

• Fairy Moon — Songs of the Ring, Maria Sangiolo, Raging River Records, 2004; $15.99 CD; mariasangiolo. Pure vocals, songs that touch the heart and solid production.

• Gary Rosen’s Pet Sounds, Gary Rosen, GMR Records, 2005; $14.98 CD; garyrosenkidsmusic.com. Bristling with immediacy, this brilliant album offers a pleasing mix of new tunes and classics, written with former partner Bill Shontz.

• Here Come the ABCs, They Might Be Giants, Disney Sound, 2005; $12.98 CD; disneyrecords.com. The TMBG duo presents a wildly creative and sonically sound assault on the alphabet. This one may spend as much time in Mom and Dad’s CD player as in the kids’ players. Check out their NAPPA Gold Award-winning DVD release too.

• Hey, Picasso, Jessica Harper, Rounder Records, 2004; $14.98 CD; rounder.com. Harper’s voice dances on a bed of world music, with songs that gently celebrate themes of acceptance and inspiration.

• Kid Pan Alley — Nashville, Various Artists, Nashville Chamber Orchestra, 2005; $15 CD; nco.org. This album celebrates a children’s songwriting project in which Nashville greats coached the kids and super singers performed their songs. Love this one!

• Little Red Wagon, Timmy Abell, Upstream Records, 2005; $15 CD; timmyabell.com. Lovely inspirational songs that evoke a kinder, gentler time.

• Merry Fishes to All, Trout Fishing in America, Trout Records, 2004; $15 CD; troutmusic.com. These guys will have even Mom and Dad snorting milk out their noses!

• My Daddy Is Scratchy, Jamie Broza, Good Mood Records, 2005; $14.98 CD; goodmoodrecords.com. This show tune approach to parenthood showcases great arrangements, song structure and situations that parents know well.

• Pegleg Tango, Captain Bogg & Salty, Hendrickson/Hoskins LLC, 2005; $15 CD; eatalime.com. This theatrical-musical group from the Pacific Northwest will trim your mainsail and more.

• We All Laugh in the Same Language, Marla Lewis, Plum Juice Records, 2005; $15 CD; marlalewis.com. A variety of bouncy musical styles and strong creative lyrics are marinated with a honey-dipped voice.

For Ages 9 & Up
• The Botanical Sessions Volume One — The Rootfriends Vacation, Various Artists, Dazsling Inc., 2005; $16 CD; rootfriends.com. Learn tree identification and botany to a rocking beat. (A related picture book is sold separately.)

• Mello-D’s Youth Under Construction, Mello-D, Harmony Garden Entertainment LLC, 2003; $12.95 CD; youngpop.com. Today’s music wrapped in a universal message of love, hope and fulfillment of dreams. Nicely done.

• Swing Around the World, Various Artists, Putumayo World Music, 2005; $15.98 CD; putumayo.com. This infectious, joyous world music will get the whole family up and dancing. Check it out!

• The World’s Very Best Opera for Kids … in English!, Various Artists, The Children’s Group, 2003; $15.99 CD; childrensgroup.com. World-class talent performs these classic operas; a great tool for schools or just family listening.

John has been reviewing music for children for more than three decades.

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Spoken Word & Storytelling
By Marilyn McPhie

Once upon a time ... Just hearing those words conjures memories of cuddling close and quieting within, allowing oneself to be gently transplanted into another world. It’s an expression that, for kids, ranks right up there with “I love you” and “Want some ice cream?” This year’s Gold Award-winning recordings envelop children in a rich collection of warm, funny, thought-provoking and reassuring stories.

For infants & Toddlers
• Baby Einstein on the Farm, Buena Vista Records, 2005; $6.98 CD/Book; disneyrecords.com. Twenty minutes (just right) of interactive stories that are just right for the littlest listeners. Comes with a child-sized board book.

For Ages 4 & Up
• Stories in Music: Casey at the Bat, by Stephen Simon with Yadu and the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Magic Maestro Music, 2005; $16.98 CD; MagicMaestroMusic.com. Professional, but not stuffy, this listener-friendly CD sets this well-known, beloved poem in a landscape of historical background, classical-style music, marches, tangos and sing-along songs. Covers all the bases (so to speak).

• Tales and Scales: Stories of Jewish Wisdom, by Karen Golden, Goldenbutton Productions, 2004; $15 CD; karengolden.com. Gefilte fish, anyone? Seven tales take listeners from Lithuania to California. All told with zip and laughter (and saxophone, ocarina, accordion, recorder, fiddle, oud, dumbek and mouth orchestra). A great blend of good and good-for-you. And, if you can’t get enough of this, check out Karen Golden’s Pass It On: A Journey Through the Jewish Holidays in Story and Song.

For Ages 8 & Up
• The Teachers’ Lounge: More Completely True Stories and Poems, by Bill Harley, Round River Records, 2004; $15 CD; billharley.com. Bill Harley does it again with laugh-out-loud stuff about a world we all know — school! Catchy poems, singable songs. It’ll eat a hole in your stomach! (Don’t ask.) These essential stories of childhood are fodder for children and adults to share. Gotta listen.

Marilyn is a professional storyteller and advocate for spoken-word arts.