Music
Change is Good
If you’re like me, the announcement of the new iPhone left me perplexed. “You mean I can’t charge my phone and listen with headphones at the same time?” But just like any new version of anything … we’ll all get...
Spinning Old School
Unearth your vinyl and listen to the crackle and pop on the portable CR8016 Messenger Turntable by Crosley. This full-functioning record player spins in three speeds and looks totally groovy in a sturdy messenger bag. Price: $89.99 www.AlwaysFits.com
Classical Tweets
Book and CD combo, "Listen to the Birds: An Introduction to Classical Music" by Ana Gerhard and illustrated by Cecilia Varela is a great way to introduce kids to classical music by highlighting the similarities between bird songs and the works of composers...
Hey, Mr. DJ
Mix it up with Crayola DJ by Legacy Games, an app that turns your iPhone or iPad into a DJ booth. Kids learn the basics of music production and mixing by combining color-coded layers of beats, melodies and scratches. Up...
Rock On
Put down your air guitar and pick up jamstik+, a "smart guitar" that connects to your Bluetooth-enabled iOS or Android devic. Download software for lessons, games and an app called Four Chords to play more than 1,000 of your favorite...
Safe and Sound
Etymotic's ETY Kids5 Earphones fit snuggly into little ears providing optimum sound quality so kids won't feel the need to crank the volume. Volume control keeps sound at safe levels. Available in black, pink, and yellow. Age: 4 and up...
Practice Makes Perfect
Practicing won’t be a chore with Piano Maestro (www.joytunes.com, Free to $59.99 for premium access, all ages and levels), an app for a Smartphone or tablet controlled by a piano or keyboard – sans wires. As piano students play through...
Rock-a-bye
Eran Phillips’ expressive, yet soothing guitar playing combined with the interesting song selection make Daddy Plays: Acoustic Rock Lullabies ($14.99, Birth to 2 years) a cut over the rest. Gentle renditions of FM radio favorites “Wish You Were Here,” “Stairway to...
Lessons Learned
All About Bullies ... Big and Small by Various Artists ($15, Ages 6 to 8) is a terrific and timely collection of songs and short spoken-word pieces dealing with bullying as well as related topics like acceptance of difference, individuality, and...
Heaven Sent
For her first children’s album, Chapman (who is a star Nashville singer/songwriter) turned her musical attentions to the sky to create this heavenly album, The Mighty Sky ($14.98, For all ages) that is all about astronomy. She makes the science come alive...
Feel the Music
Ozomatli Presents OzoKidz ($15, Ages 4 to 10), a triumphant transition into family music on this disc, which is filled with rhythmically-rich songs that inventively mixes together a variety of musical styles. Great for a multi-cultural dance party. The spirited music is...
Musical Numbers
Hap Palmer's Count, Add, Subtract! Fun with Math, Music and Movement ($14.95, Preschool to Early Elementary) adds up to one of the best albums made about math. The veteran children’s musician performs the masterfully task of taking basic concepts and turning...
Sleep Soundly
A perfect bedtime soundtrack featuring musicians from all over the world. Instrumental Dreamland by Putumayo ($14.98) includes classics like “Brahms’ Lullaby,” “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” and “What a Wonderful World” and showcases the diverse sounds of the harp, acoustic guitar, piano and...
Toe Tappin’
NAPPA winner Frances England is everything I love about a Children’s artist: she writes catchy songs with smart lyrics, has wonderful branding that speaks to young families and most of all, she’s current. In her latest album, Blink of an...