Children’s museums, either, but that’s not relevant here because I haven’t been thinking about buying a children’s museum for my boys for Christmas.
I bought books for my niece (Babymouse: Queen of the World) and nephew (The Lightning Thief), but seeing as how we’re swimming in text around here, I thought I might surprise 7-year-old S and 2-year-old F with CDs highlighted on the various kids’ music blogs.
So, I gave a listen to tracks from some of the kids’ CDs rated among the year’s best, and I learned that my long-held predisposition against playing “children’s music” for my children hasn’t softened much.
I’ll be the first to admit that this is weird. When it comes to books and movies, I’m all for exposing my sons to works tailored specifically for younguns. I don’t expect that S and F will be enthralled by the 690-page history title on the desk in front of me, and the same goes for that Noam Chomsky documentary that arrived the other day. (Actually, I’m not sure I myself will be enthralled by that DVD, but at least the odds are better for me.)
But I’ve always assumed that the music I listen to is, by and large, accessible to my kids. Before S was born, I made him a Beatles compilation. The lullabyes I sang to him were heavy on Willie Nelson and Jerry Jeff Walker tunes. I vividly remember one car trip when S was not yet 3 and he wanted to hear “When Doves Cry” over and over and over again. And just this morning — early this morning — F asked to listen to Bruce Springsteen’s version of “John Henry,” the beloved folk song about a laborer who dies of a heart attack.
Young listeners may not get all that non-kids’ music has to offer — this is true for us adults as well — but they can still enjoy it even though it doesn’t cater to the tastes that they’re supposed to have. They can also reject outright what doesn’t appeal to them (believe me) and veer away from that when they start to seek out music on their own, and I think that’s useful background for them.
All that said, I do appreciate that fact that some musical artists — like some, say, authors — choose to express themselves in a format that appeals to young people. And I like the fact that there are sites like Zooglobble, The Lovely Mrs. Davis Tells You What to Think, and Children’s Music That Rocks helping families find what sounds good to them. And finally, I like pushing myself in directions I’m not quite comfortable with, so I imagine I’ll be spending more time on those sites trying to get past my kids’-music hangup.
For this year, though, if I’m buying my kids anything, it’s most likely going to be this — partly children’s music, mostly not, and with a proven winner in the form of track 10.
You don’t like children’s museums?! Granted, the Austin one isn’t so hot, but ALL of us love the science & history museum in Fort Worth, which doesn’t call itself a children’s museum but mostly is. We’ve also loved the children’s museums in Houston, Orlando, etc. We make a point to visit all the ones we are near since my kids always love them. (But, children’s museums tend to be heavy on science & my oldest is a science geek. We also tried one real art museum with them, a Tampa museum that had a big Maurice Sendak exhibit, and my 5-year-old responded with screaming tantrums, so I don’t think we’re ready for non-children’s museums yet!)
And what about the band Trout Fishing in America? They have stuff that isn’t geared for children, but much of it is, and we all love that! I guess I consider it family music. But we also didn’t get into most of the traditional children’s music. Never even tried Raffi or any of that. (Though I personally like The Wiggles more than my kids do! And we went through some major phases with the “Baby Songs” videos, which still get stuck in my head from time to time.)
You don’t like children’s museums?! Granted, the Austin one isn’t so hot, but ALL of us love the science & history museum in Fort Worth, which doesn’t call itself a children’s museum but mostly is. We’ve also loved the children’s museums in Houston, Orlando, etc. We make a point to visit all the ones we are near since my kids always love them. (But, children’s museums tend to be heavy on science & my oldest is a science geek. We also tried one real art museum with them, a Tampa museum that had a big Maurice Sendak exhibit, and my 5-year-old responded with screaming tantrums, so I don’t think we’re ready for non-children’s museums yet!)
And what about the band Trout Fishing in America? They have stuff that isn’t geared for children, but much of it is, and we all love that! I guess I consider it family music. But we also didn’t get into most of the traditional children’s music. Never even tried Raffi or any of that. (Though I personally like The Wiggles more than my kids do! And we went through some major phases with the “Baby Songs” videos, which still get stuck in my head from time to time.)
You don’t like children’s museums?! Granted, the Austin one isn’t so hot, but ALL of us love the science & history museum in Fort Worth, which doesn’t call itself a children’s museum but mostly is. We’ve also loved the children’s museums in Houston, Orlando, etc. We make a point to visit all the ones we are near since my kids always love them. (But, children’s museums tend to be heavy on science & my oldest is a science geek. We also tried one real art museum with them, a Tampa museum that had a big Maurice Sendak exhibit, and my 5-year-old responded with screaming tantrums, so I don’t think we’re ready for non-children’s museums yet!)
And what about the band Trout Fishing in America? They have stuff that isn’t geared for children, but much of it is, and we all love that! I guess I consider it family music. But we also didn’t get into most of the traditional children’s music. Never even tried Raffi or any of that. (Though I personally like The Wiggles more than my kids do! And we went through some major phases with the “Baby Songs” videos, which still get stuck in my head from time to time.)
I’m with you on most children’s music – it makes me want to bang my head on a wall until it bleeds. Our family musical taste is extremely eclectic: from the Bee Gees, Neil Diamond, and John Denver to Styx and the Who to Martina McBride and Tim McGraw to…you get the picture.
However, I have found two children’s music CDs that I can stand to listen to with the kids: Buzz Buzz by Laurie Berkner and Philadelphia Chickens by Martha Bolton (she doesn’t actually sing, she wrote the lyrics and illustrated the companion book). They are definitely worth checking out.
I’m with you on most children’s music – it makes me want to bang my head on a wall until it bleeds. Our family musical taste is extremely eclectic: from the Bee Gees, Neil Diamond, and John Denver to Styx and the Who to Martina McBride and Tim McGraw to…you get the picture.
However, I have found two children’s music CDs that I can stand to listen to with the kids: Buzz Buzz by Laurie Berkner and Philadelphia Chickens by Martha Bolton (she doesn’t actually sing, she wrote the lyrics and illustrated the companion book). They are definitely worth checking out.
I’m with you on most children’s music – it makes me want to bang my head on a wall until it bleeds. Our family musical taste is extremely eclectic: from the Bee Gees, Neil Diamond, and John Denver to Styx and the Who to Martina McBride and Tim McGraw to…you get the picture.
However, I have found two children’s music CDs that I can stand to listen to with the kids: Buzz Buzz by Laurie Berkner and Philadelphia Chickens by Martha Bolton (she doesn’t actually sing, she wrote the lyrics and illustrated the companion book). They are definitely worth checking out.
My beef with children’s museums is that they seem to permit a much higher degree of brokenness and decrepitude in their exhibits than would be allowed in a museum not specifically intended for young people, and to me that shows a tremendous amount of disrespect for their target audience (and for the adults paying their way).
My beef with children’s museums is that they seem to permit a much higher degree of brokenness and decrepitude in their exhibits than would be allowed in a museum not specifically intended for young people, and to me that shows a tremendous amount of disrespect for their target audience (and for the adults paying their way).
My beef with children’s museums is that they seem to permit a much higher degree of brokenness and decrepitude in their exhibits than would be allowed in a museum not specifically intended for young people, and to me that shows a tremendous amount of disrespect for their target audience (and for the adults paying their way).
Philadelphia Chickens is by Sandra Boynton (yes THAT Sandra Boynton) with mucho guests. There’s also Rhinoceros Tap by her. I will tell you that Ralph’s World is the big hit around this neck of the woods, along with TMBG, Beatles, and the like. And Chris, I think you might wanna check out Buck Howdy, the children’s music cowboy, as well as The Sippy Cups who did an album that’s largely classic/pyschedelic rock slightly retooled for kids (or sometimes not retooled at all).
Or just buy anything good for any age, frankly. But that’s just my bias, too.
Philadelphia Chickens is by Sandra Boynton (yes THAT Sandra Boynton) with mucho guests. There’s also Rhinoceros Tap by her. I will tell you that Ralph’s World is the big hit around this neck of the woods, along with TMBG, Beatles, and the like. And Chris, I think you might wanna check out Buck Howdy, the children’s music cowboy, as well as The Sippy Cups who did an album that’s largely classic/pyschedelic rock slightly retooled for kids (or sometimes not retooled at all).
Or just buy anything good for any age, frankly. But that’s just my bias, too.
Philadelphia Chickens is by Sandra Boynton (yes THAT Sandra Boynton) with mucho guests. There’s also Rhinoceros Tap by her. I will tell you that Ralph’s World is the big hit around this neck of the woods, along with TMBG, Beatles, and the like. And Chris, I think you might wanna check out Buck Howdy, the children’s music cowboy, as well as The Sippy Cups who did an album that’s largely classic/pyschedelic rock slightly retooled for kids (or sometimes not retooled at all).
Or just buy anything good for any age, frankly. But that’s just my bias, too.
Thanks, Greg. Why, just yesterday I pulled together a 10-song sampler for F, and the Sippy Cups made the cut. The whole list:
“Digging In the Dirt,” Frances England
“Really Gross,” Elizabeth Street
“3 Rs,” Jack Johnson
“Springtime Fantastic,” The Sippy Cups
“Cyril the Karaoke Squirrel,” Wee Hairy Beasties
“Little Sacka Sugar,” Brady Rymer
“Polly Wolly Doodle,” Johnny Bregar
“Bicycle,” The Jellydots
“Surf’s Up All Around the World,” Mr. David
“While the Music Is Playing,” Dan Zanes
And for S, I did get that TMBG compilation.
I’ll check out Buck Howdy if you’ll check out Austin’s own Biscuit Brothers…
Thanks, Greg. Why, just yesterday I pulled together a 10-song sampler for F, and the Sippy Cups made the cut. The whole list:
“Digging In the Dirt,” Frances England
“Really Gross,” Elizabeth Street
“3 Rs,” Jack Johnson
“Springtime Fantastic,” The Sippy Cups
“Cyril the Karaoke Squirrel,” Wee Hairy Beasties
“Little Sacka Sugar,” Brady Rymer
“Polly Wolly Doodle,” Johnny Bregar
“Bicycle,” The Jellydots
“Surf’s Up All Around the World,” Mr. David
“While the Music Is Playing,” Dan Zanes
And for S, I did get that TMBG compilation.
I’ll check out Buck Howdy if you’ll check out Austin’s own Biscuit Brothers…
Thanks, Greg. Why, just yesterday I pulled together a 10-song sampler for F, and the Sippy Cups made the cut. The whole list:
“Digging In the Dirt,” Frances England
“Really Gross,” Elizabeth Street
“3 Rs,” Jack Johnson
“Springtime Fantastic,” The Sippy Cups
“Cyril the Karaoke Squirrel,” Wee Hairy Beasties
“Little Sacka Sugar,” Brady Rymer
“Polly Wolly Doodle,” Johnny Bregar
“Bicycle,” The Jellydots
“Surf’s Up All Around the World,” Mr. David
“While the Music Is Playing,” Dan Zanes
And for S, I did get that TMBG compilation.
I’ll check out Buck Howdy if you’ll check out Austin’s own Biscuit Brothers…
Hey Chris,
Having a 3 year old boy, TMBG is a huge hit in our house. “Here Come The ABC’s” by them is his all-time favorite. He also loves Jack Johnson. I like Laurie Berkner way more than he does–his tastes lean a bit more towards gritty late 60’s early 70’s classic rock, the funny guy. His head starts bobbing whenever he hears a CCR or Steppenwolf tune.
Hey Chris,
Having a 3 year old boy, TMBG is a huge hit in our house. “Here Come The ABC’s” by them is his all-time favorite. He also loves Jack Johnson. I like Laurie Berkner way more than he does–his tastes lean a bit more towards gritty late 60’s early 70’s classic rock, the funny guy. His head starts bobbing whenever he hears a CCR or Steppenwolf tune.
Hey Chris,
Having a 3 year old boy, TMBG is a huge hit in our house. “Here Come The ABC’s” by them is his all-time favorite. He also loves Jack Johnson. I like Laurie Berkner way more than he does–his tastes lean a bit more towards gritty late 60’s early 70’s classic rock, the funny guy. His head starts bobbing whenever he hears a CCR or Steppenwolf tune.
Gotta say, I’ve always thought the entire TMBG catalog was just as much made for kids as it was for anyone else.
Very little experience with kids’ music over here, but all of us are digging local Sarah Hickman’s “Toddler” album, a library find that renewed repeatedly then finally purchased.
Gotta say, I’ve always thought the entire TMBG catalog was just as much made for kids as it was for anyone else.
Very little experience with kids’ music over here, but all of us are digging local Sarah Hickman’s “Toddler” album, a library find that renewed repeatedly then finally purchased.
Gotta say, I’ve always thought the entire TMBG catalog was just as much made for kids as it was for anyone else.
Very little experience with kids’ music over here, but all of us are digging local Sarah Hickman’s “Toddler” album, a library find that renewed repeatedly then finally purchased.