2002 NAPPA Awards for Children’s Music

Children's music is alive and well and living in the hearts and minds of many talented writers and performers from near and far. This year's NAPPA music category is chock-full of great songs, all designed to entrance, educate, entertain or gently lull to sleep the younger set — and more than a few parents, too! The following are our winners in each age category:

Lullaby Category Dream with Me Tonight: Lullabies For All Ages Mellow My Baby: Soothing Songs and Lullabies Oyasumi-Goodnight: Japanese Lullabies and Restful Melodies Infant/Toddler Category Let's Play Songs For Learning Toddlers Sing Rock 'n' Roll

Ages 4 to 8 Category Down in the Backpack Inside Out, Jessica Harper 1000 Pennies Ages 9 and Up Category Beethoven's Wig: Sing Along Symphonies Celebration of America Latin Playground

Reviews of 2002 NAPPA Award Winners

Lullaby Category

Dream with Me Tonight: Lullabies For All Ages, by Lanny Sherwin and Melodie Crittenden, Sandman Records, 2002; $12.98 CD; 615-790-7275; newborn to age 6. Beautifully performed original lullabies for all ages. Sherwin's production is impeccable and Crittenden's vocals are inspired. A must for home and school naptimes.

Mellow My Baby: Soothing Songs and Lullabies, by Sherry Goffin Kondor, Sugar Beats Entertainment, 2002; $14.98 CD, $9.98 cassette; 800-BEATS-21; newborn to age 6. Sherry Goffin Kondor is Carole King's daughter and a wonderful singer and songwriter in her own right. Here, she shares jewels from Peter Pan and Mary Poppins along with more traditional lullabies. A must-have for new parents.

Oyasumi-Goodnight: Japanese Lullabies and Restful Melodies, by Aiko Shimada and Elizabeth Falconer, Koto World, 2001; $15 CD; 425-430-1972; all ages. The Japanese koto is an instrument that seems to be made for lullabies. Gentle vocals and arrangements will peacefully relax old and young alike. Every doctor's and dentist's office should have a copy.

Infant/Toddler Category

Let's Play, by Raffi, Rounder Records, 2002; $17.98 CD, $9.98 cassette; 800-ROUNDER. The production on this new album is stellar. Excellent musicians and Raffi's heart of gold give the listener hope in this beautifully crafted 16-song set. Of special note is his lovely version of "What A Wonderful World."

Songs For Learning, by various artists, Twin Sisters Productions, 2001; $12.99 CD, $8.99 cassette; 800-248-8946. Familiar children's songs are packaged and presented in a fun and educational way. Toddlers will learn basic skills, including the alphabet, counting, colors, shapes and more, as they sing along with this lively, upbeat set.

Toddlers Sing Rock 'n' Roll, by various artists, Music For Little People, 2002; $11.98 CD, $7.98 cassette; 800-346-4445. Can toddlers sing rock 'n' roll? Apparently so, because these pint-sized crooners belt out classic rock songs with genuine gusto — lisps and laughs included. These earnest young Elvises will light up the room and leave you smiling.

Ages 4 to 8 Category

Down in the Backpack, by Bill Harley, Round River Records, 2001; $15 CD; 800-682-9522. Harley is one of the best storytellers around and this album is a hoot! Style galore and seriously funny, Harley especially gets into the heads of elementary school boys. A+ for originality.

Inside Out, Jessica Harper, by Jessica Harper, Rounder Records, 2002; $16.98 CD, $10.98 cassette; 800-ROUNDER. Harper's sixth children's album is a rhythmic smorgasbord and a downright blast! The award-winning actress and children's-book author (two of the songs from Inside Out will become books in 2002) has compiled a terrific 10-song set of original and traditional songs that support and frame her wonderful voice — the best instrument on the album.

1000 Pennies, by Norman Foote, Shoebox Music, 2001; $13.99 CD; 604-985-7873. We've never met a Norman Foote song we didn't like, and this recording is Foote — a tremendous musician, singer, songwriter and storyteller — at his best.

Ages 9 and Up Category

Beethoven's Wig: Sing Along Symphonies, by various artists, Rounder Records, 2002; $12.98 CD; 800-ROUNDER. This recording may give the purest classical music buffs a serious shudder. But for the younger set, it makes all the sense in the world. Familiar symphonies are given a lyrical facelift that not only entertains but educates and informs the listener — leading to a greater understanding of classical music.

Celebration of America, by various artists, Music For Little People, 2002; $15.98 CD, $9.98 cassette; 800-346-4445. At this time and this place, what could be more important than a celebration of this land and the special people who inhabit it? A flag-waving, rip-roaring musical ode to the great patriotic songs performed by a who's who of America's greats, from Paul Robeson to Linda Rondstadt.

Latin Playground, by various artists, Putumayo World Music, 2002; $15.98 CD; 888-788-8629. This CD features some of the finest and most respected Latin American performers, including Omara Portuondo and Cubanismo (Cuba), Flaco Jimenez (USA/Tex-Mex), Lila Downs (Mexico), Ruben Rada (Uruguay), Rudy Regalado (Venezuela), Carmen Gonzalez (Ecuador), Jose Gonzalez (Puerto Rico), Los 50 de Joselito (Columbia) and Nazare Pereira (Brazil). Popular Latin American musical styles such as salsa, samba, bossa nova, mariachi and cumbia are all represented on this recording, creating an upbeat festive party atmosphere.

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.

About the Children's Music Judge: John Wood is the music reviewer for United Parenting Publications. He co-created and performed more than 7,000 shows with the popular group J.P. Nightingale. Visit him on the Web at www.kidzmusic.com.

KidzMusic.com ©2008 E-mail address for kidzmusic.com is john@kidzmusic.com.