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Are you a mom who’s looking to broaden your child’s music catalog with something other than Barney’s latest? Maybe you’ve had your fill of listening to Dora The Explorer and Baby Genius compilation CD’s in the car. Is one more version of “Head, Shoulders, Knees, & Toes” going to send you running? There is children’s music out there that caters to you, the parent, as well as enriches your pre-schooler’s mind. Barenaked Ladies released their first, and probably not their last, children’s album last month, “Snacktime.” It’s their signature sound, with a great mix of 24 songs for kids (”Bad Day” is my personal fave). Barenaked Ladies aren’t the only ones making parent-friendly kids albums, though. Here’s a list of my recommendations of children’s artists who make music parents can enjoy too.

Imagination Movers: Have you ever wondered what would happen if the Beastie Boys or The Red Hot Chili Peppers took it down a notch and started making music for kids? Wonder no further, because you can get a taste of that alternate universe while listening to these Disney Channel darlings. Their infectious and hip alternative grooves caught my attention immediately.

Must Have Album: Juice Box Heroes

Laurie Berkner: For Lilith Fair-loving moms. Most pre-school parents already know Laurie Berkner from her many appearances on Noggin, but she may be yet undiscovered by some new moms. In the early nineties she toured with an all-female rock cover band, Lois Lane, until she formed her own band, Red Onion. When she found songwriting for the band to be a challenge, she started writing children’s songs and, thankfully for Barney weary moms everywhere, struck gold.

Must Have Album: Under A Shady Tree

Dan Zanes: Fan of Chris Isaak or Lyle Lovett? Then you’ll love Dan Zanes’ funky bluesy stuff, which keeps the kids smiling as well. The former lead singer for eighties band, the Del Fuegos, Dan Zanes starting making music for families in the mid to late nineties. Last year DZ & friends won the Grammy for Best Musical Album for Children. Who are Dan Zanes’ friends? Guest stars on his albums have included everyone from, Aimee Mann, Lou Reed, Deborah Harry, Bob Weir, Philip Glass, to the Kronos Quartet, Nick Cave, Natalie Merchant, Sheryl Crow, and Blind Boys of Alabama. That’s just the tip of the iceberg. Let’s just say there’s something for everybody here. Incorporating every style and culture of music you can imagine into an eclectic mix of songs that the whole family can groove to.

Must Have Album: Catch That Train

Ralph’s World/Ralph Covert- For fans of acoustic rock in general. Ralph Covert, of rock’s Bad Examples, made his first children’s album in 2001, and is now on Disney’s record label, Disney Sound, making music for Playhouse Disney’s huge audience of preschoolers and moms. An eclectic mix of pop, rock, and funk, he truly makes music kids & parents can enjoy together.

Must Have Album: At The Bottom Of The Sea

They Might Be Giants- For fans of…They Might Be Giants. The hip alternative group gave a gift to cool parents everywhere when they released their first children’s album, “Here Come The ABC’s” back in 2002. Now a Disney sound staple and a favorite of kids and moms alike. TMBG continue their success in the alternative music scene as well as on pre-schooler circuit.

Must Have Album: Here Come the ABC’s

I couldn’t ignore one of the biggest children’s acts over the last 10 years, The Wiggles. Yes, some of you may run screaming at the mere mention of the quartet from Down Under, but considering the Wiggles were formed out of the ashes of a punk group called The Cockroaches (some of the Wiggles’ earlier songs were just re-worked versions of Cockroach tunes) and a group of guys going to school to become pre-school teachers, you got to give them some credit. With friends like John Fogerty & Crowded House’s Paul Hester (who played Paul The Cook until his death in 2005) they do have a cool factor that can’t be denied. Probably the least annoying of all the big name children’s acts out there.

Now that you have some more adult friendly options for kids music, I hope your long summer family road trip will be that much easier to bear!

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