• Children's Music for a Rainy Day

    Stuck inside on a rainy day? Looking for something to do? Check out these great albums, full of participatory and inspiring tracks perfect for cooped-up kids.

    These albums and more are available at the Barrington Area Library.

     

    Ella Jenkins
    You'll Sing a Song and I'll Sing a Song

    Ella Jenkins composes the perfect soundtrack to a sleepy, rainy day inside. Using her voice, an acoustic guitar, hand claps, and the Urban Gateways Children's Chorus, Jenkins guides the listener across a gentle, folky landscape punctuated by participatory songs and chants, mostly in English but in other languages, too, from Hebrew ("Shabot Shalom") to Spanish ("Dulce Dulce") to Maori ("Maori Indian Battle Chant"). This album serves as a fine introduction to Ella Jenkins's stripped down, world music-inspired approach to children's entertainment.

     

    Recess Monkey
    Flying!

    Composed of three goofy teachers, Recess Monkey embraces the silliness and absurdity of youth. On this superhero-themed album, the trio encourages kids to flick the switch on their imagination and go on a grand adventure -- even if they're stuck inside. And if your child gets tuckered out after an afternoon of fighting crime, put on "Your Favorite Book" to inspire some reading and relaxation.

     

    Laura Veirs
    Tumble Bee: Laura Veirs Sings Folk Songs for Children

     This collection of refurbished folk classics (plus one original track, "Tumble Bee") is great for a cloudy day, whether your little one spends it dancing around the living room, playing on the floor, or hopping in rain puddles. By turns energetic ("Jack Can I Ride?") and mellow ("All the Pretty Little Horses"), Tumble Bee is a beautiful match for the highs and lows of an afternoon bristling with pent-up energy. And when it's time for a nap, be sure to put on "Prairie Lullabye."

     

    Justin Roberts
    Jungle Gym

    Children's music veteran Justin Roberts invites kids to play with this rollicking, feel good album. Indie pop/rock-inspired tracks like "Gym Class Parachute" and "Cardboard Box" remind children that there's fun in everything, even when your options are limited. In fact, why not dig out an old cardboard box and see what they make of it? Maybe this is the perfect day to build a spaceship.

     

    The Lucky Band
    Buenos Diaz

    It doesn't matter whether or not you speak Spanish -- the Lucky Band is fun for everyone. Buenos Diaz is jam-packed with great, Latin pop-inspired tracks -- some of my favorites are "Nacho Song," "Pan Dulce," and "Zapatitos" -- guaranteed to make your little one's day a little sunnier. These infectious tunes are sure to get the listener up on their feet and out of whatever rainy day funk they've fallen into.

     

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      Youth Services Librarian Chris