1997 NAPPA Awards for Children’s Music

How can a little old kids' music album grab a child's attention away from the multiple kid networks on TV, a library of videos and stacks of CD-ROMs?

Quality.

And that is exactly what made our 1997 NAPPA Gold winners stand out from the crowd. There was as big a gap as ever between the winning entries and the also-rans, but when the listening was over and the CD player finally cooled down, the winners had more than earned their rightful place in any kid's line-up of fun stuff to do.

Lullaby Category The Sun Upon the Lake Is Low Goodnight Guitar Land of Sleepytime: Lullabies for the Heart and Soul Infant Category Art Garfunkel: Songs From A Parent To A Child The Classical Child at the Ballet Animal Songs Toddler Category Animal Classics Gettin' Happy Dana's Best Sing & Swing-A-Long Tunes! Classic & Cool Jazz For Kids

Early Elementary Category Chickee's on the Run This Land Is Your Land, by Woody & Arlo Guthrie There's a Pea on My Plate Upper Elementary Category I Wanna Iguana Ben & Jerry's One World/One Heart for Kids My World

Reviews of 1997 NAPPA Award Winners

Lullaby Category

The Sun Upon the Lake Is Low. A positive collection of traditional and contemporary folk music beautifully sung by Mae Robertson and Don Jackson. Excellent musicians and arrangements. It put us to sleep, and we mean that in the nicest possible way! Lyric Partners; $10 cassette, $15 CD. Phone (800) 985-8894.

Goodnight Guitar. Thirteen lovingly crafted lullabies flawlessly performed on classical guitar by veteran soloist Ray Penney. Simultaneously soothing, simple and sophisticated, this collection will have listeners of any age relaxed by the second track on the album. Homesong Media; $10.98 cassette, $14.98 CD. Phone (888) 882-7753.

Land of Sleepytime: Lullabies for the Heart and Soul. Soothing, jazz-flavored vocals and enchanting melodies are the hallmark of this album. Artist Beth Lawrence says that a lullaby is "love made audible," This 11-song collection is a beautiful gift from her heart that more than proves her theory. Junie Moon Music; $9.98 cassette, $13.98 CD. Phone (800) 567-1718.

Infant Category

Art Garfunkel: Songs From A Parent To A Child. Art Garfunkel is joined by family and friends to cover some classic tunes including the Beatles' "I Will," Cat Stevens' "Morning Has Broken" and Lovin' Spoonful's "Daydream." The winning performance is 6-year-old James Garfunkel belting Elvis' "Good Luck Charm." Sony Wonder; $9.98 cassette, $13.98 CD. Phone (888) 221-8180.

The Classical Child at the Ballet. Even the littlest ears will develop an appreciation for classical ballet. The energetic arrangements of these 20 internationally loved scores are specially composed to make the rich orchestral textures and classic themes accessible to younger children. Metro Music; $9.95 cassette, $15.95 CD. Phone (888) 433-4408.

Animal Songs. Veteran folk artist and bluegrass wizard Phil Rosenthal (of Seldom Scene fame), joins with equally talented friends and family to sing some seriously silly songs about animals on his 18th album. Sterling guitar, dobro, fiddle, mandolin and banjo playing are evident throughout these family favorites and original songs. American Melody; $9.98 cassette, $13.98 CD. Phone (800) 220-5557.

Toddler Category

Animal Classics. A great, inventive way to introduce the uninitiated to classical music, written, performed, arranged and co-produced by Australians Jeanette Smith and Pete Davie. Song association is purposely aided by titles like "sugar the Plump Canary" and "Duck Quacker Sweets." Get the picture? Sony Wonder; $7.98 cassette, $11.98 CD. Phone (888) 221-8180. Website atwww.junglejazzband.com/t_blank.

Gettin' Happy. For fans of The Happy Crowd's first two albums, this is a definite wish come true. With just one CD featuring 25 of their best and brightest songs (cassette not available), you can enjoy some of the most original and upbeat kids' music recorded in recent years. The Happy Crowd; $14.99 CD. Phone (800) 543-8863.

Dana's Best Sing & Swing-A-Long Tunes! Classic & Cool Jazz For Kids. An upbeat introduction to American jazz, this 12-track ensemble includes several jazz standards: "I Got Rhythm", "The Joint is Jumpin'" and "Chattanooga Choo Choo" among others, with jazzed-up renditions of familiar children's songs. Real Music For Kidz; $9.95, $14.95 CD. Phone (800) 557-3262.

Early Elementary Category

Chickee's on the Run. A breath of fresh air from Canadian Heather Bishop. The lyrics are clever, thoughtful and noncondescending. The title song immortalizes a heroic chicken who goes on the lam and frees her compatriots. The 11 tunes are punchy, catchy and cover an array of fun subject matter. Mother Of Pearl Records; $10 cassette, $15 CD. Phone (800) 634-6044.

This Land Is Your Land, by Woody & Arlo Guthrie. In the spirit of Natalie and Nat, Arlo Guthrie pays tribute to his dad, Woody, in a rousing retrospective of dad's finest family songs. There are nine "legit" tunes and two instrumental encores in this collection, which has also fostered an animated video. Thank goodness these treasured songs written in 1950 were found in a forgotten songbook a few years back. Rounder Records; $9.98 cassette, $14.98 CD. Phone (800) 443-4727.

There's a Pea on My Plate. At once playful and practical, consummate children's artist Bill Harley hits one hit after another out of the park. Even his songs with a message are delivered in a memorably warm and witty style. No wonder he's called the Mark Twain of contemporary music. Round River Records; $10 cassette, $15 CD. Phone (800) 682-9522.

Upper Elementary Category

I Wanna Iguana. Saxophonist-singer-songwriter Sooz's new album of original tunes draws heavily on the rhythms of the world. Whether it be jazz and blues, reggae, Zydeco, salsa and Calypso, boss nova and Samba or Afro-pop, each is handled with singable lyrics, positive messages and great sax. Soozaroo Music; $9.98 cassette, $14.98 CD. Phone (800) 948-9303. Website at http://www.putumayo.com/t_blank.

Ben & Jerry's One World/One Heart for Kids. Producer Robin Frederick has assembled a smorgasbord of professional players from Raffi to Micky (Dolenz that is) with an eclectic elixir (whoa!) of folk, Celtic, Cajun and blues. Partial proceeds benefit the Children's Defense Fund. An accessible album brimming with spirited tunes and concerned artists for a good cause. Kid Rhino; $7.98 cassette, $11.98 CD. Phone (800) 432-0020.

My World. With a name like Trout Fishing in America, you might expect something quirky. You'd be right. To call this eclectic duo's latest wacky release delightfully different is an understatement. Pure and simple rock rhythms, inventive lyrics and heartfelt performances. What else could you ask for? Trout Fishing Inc.; $9.98 cassette, $14.98 CD. Phone (501) 761-3630. Website at www.troutmusic.com.

The National Parenting Publications Awards (NAPPA) program began in 1990 as a consumer awards program for children's media, including books, toys, music, videos, software, and storytelling/spoken word. Expert judges within each category review and select the best submissions to receive recognition as either Gold or Honors Award winners. Winners are announced annually prior to the holiday season.

Jim Chase has been a children's music reviewer for L.A. Parent magazine for several years. He is an award-winning copywriter and former professional musician and songwriter.

John Wood currently reviews children's music for L.A. Parent magazine, coordinates children's music for the Hollywood Bowl and is the founder of the children's music group J.P. Nightingale.