Kids' Mixtape: Songs of Summer

5 New Kid's Music Albums for a Joy Ride

Summer is in full swing and if you're like our family, you're spending a lot of time in the car; driving back and forth to camp and fun activities, not to mention everyone's favorite - road trips! When you're in the car, you shouldn't be forced to listen to the sound of fighting in the backseat or bad pop tunes - create fun moments and memories singing along to silly kids songs while on the go. There is so much great family music to choose from with great stories, positive messages, while being catchy and fun.

If you're a teacher or a childcare provider, I urge you to bypass playing Kids Bop music entirely and venture out into the vibrant world of 'Kindie rock' (although a lot of this music isn't technically rock 'n roll). I've written about this subject several times on my blog and it's one I'm passionate about. I grew up with fun children's music and the lyrics, tunes and memories have stayed with me, so when I started my own family I was happy to discover music artists who are carrying on the legacy for another generation of songsters.

Rage Against Kids Bop!

Here are five new albums recently released that are on my Songs of Summer mixtape music list. If you want to listen to any samples of the songs, click on the album link.

1. Deep Sea Diver - Recess Monkey
   Tambourine Submarine * Fish Sticks * The Deep End * Beach Ball * Shrimp * Compass Rose * Choral Reef * Tattoo Me * The Seven Cs * Seagull * Up Periscope * Walkie Talkies * Seahorse * Making Waves * Stranded
  
2. I Like Everything About You (Yes I Do!) - Crosspulse Percussion Ensemble
   Walkin' the Dog * Yamawele * Body Beat * Little Liza Jane * Cumbe * Rara * Breaths * CooCoo * Krin * Jalan-Jalan * Flores * I Like Everything About You (Yes I Do!)
 
3. Gratitude Attitude - The Best Foot Forward Series
   I'm Glad You're Here * Gratitude * In My Family's House * There's a Pea on My Plate * Love You a Million * Thank You Letters * Only Take What You Need * The Table Manners Polka * Grateful * Every Little Bit of You * Thank You World * Use a Napkin (Not Your Mom) * Circle of Friends * Thank You * Best Foot Forward
   
   
4. Bandwagon - Joanie Leeds and the Nightlights
   Are We There Yet? * Back to School * Bandwagon * I Love New York * UFO * Family Tree * Nutritious * Helmet * Use Your Words * Little Cloud * Falling * Let's Go * Canon Song * Bed * Nightlights

5. Blink of an Eye - Frances England
   Blink of an Eye * Little Wings * Place in the Sun * Move Like Saturday Night * Tell Me it All * Home * Bicycle Built for Two * Day You Were Born * The Sun Will Shine Again * Salt Water Spin * Look How the Light Dances With Trees
  

I'm GRATEFUL (attitude of gratitude in effect) that we were introduced to this new music. I'm also glad that more musicians are delving into fun children's music. These albums can be listened to repeatedly without getting tired of it (like you might assume). They also all have such great cover art, my chickadees (and I) enjoyed examining them cover to cover. When I asked them about their favorites from the Songs of Summer list, the oldest chickadee said, I Love New York - will this be the song that sticks in her head and motivates her to move to the Big Apple someday? hmm... My personal fave is the entire Crosspulse Percussion Ensemble album; I would totally listen to it without the kids in the car! 

Disclaimer: I was provided these five CDs to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.