Family Tree (by Tom Chapin, Children's Music)

Just try to keep the kids (or yourself, for that matter) from squishing, glubble-glubbing, plip-plopping, and otherwise marching their way through Tom Chapin's entertaining songs on FAMILY TREE. Chapin is at his best when he looks at the world from a child's perspective, as in "Don't Make Me Go to School Today." (He cleverly sets the story to appropriately dark music from Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake.) Other highlights include a kid-friendly, sing-along round (with Judy Collins!), the attractive "This Pretty Planet," and a song about a familiar behavioral pattern: rushing to get ice cream before your parents count to five, but moving much more slowly to kiss relatives goodbye.

Several songs have catchy melodies and phrases that are easy to dance to. Also, hearing the children on the recording sing along with Chapin will encourage your own child to do the same. This one's a winner -- literally: Family Tree was selected for a Parents' Choice Notable Children's Recording award. Lyrics are included, and there's nice cover art, too.

Released on: October 9, 2001
Label: Gadfly
Genre: Children's Music