Lanny Sherwin: Meltdown

Award-winning kid’s musician Lanny Sherwin’s Meltdown is the California-based artist’s fifth album, which  features mostly Jimmy Buffett-style arrangements that are fun and energetic, and pairs them with inspirational lyrics. Songs like "Let’s Hear It for the Little Guy" and "Your Mountain is Waiting" work toward boosting self-esteem and the album-opener "This is Not a Guitar" describes the way the venerable instrument can actually transport little ones' imaginations through song composition. Parents and grandparents will secretly revel in the title track "Meltdown," as Sherwin explains that a kid’s tantrum throws an entire day "out of whack." A quick guide on how kids can overcome their emotions is the thrust of that song: counting to ten, yelling into a pillow, or banging a drum. As an album, Meltdown exceeds at being fun while giving kids something to think about — even if they don’t know it.

Age: 4+
Retail Price: $12.98
Available at: amazon.com

Bob Marley: B is for Bob

Summer might be over, but this compilation, Bob Marley: B Is for Bob, will keep sunny feelings alive well into winter — so don’t think of it as just a repackaged greatest-hits album. Bob’s son, Ziggy, went into the original recordings and removed certain elements from the songs and added others — while keeping his father’s voice intact. The result is a collection of classic Marley songs, reimagined as kids' tunes. "Bend Down Low" and the oft-overlooked "Small Axe" are simpler presentations that include a nice kids' chorus singing the refrains, while "Three Little Birds" is essentially Marley and an acoustic guitar. Classics, such as "Lively Up Yourself" and "Could You Be Loved," remain untouched and are a somewhat surprising but perfect fit within this new context. B Is for Bob is a sweet, lively introduction to the reggae master that everyone can get behind.

Age: 3+
Retail Price: $10.97
Available at: amazon.com

Bing Crosby Sings and Narrates Jack B. Nimble

Older grandkids might recognize Bing Crosby’s mellow voice from his classic Christmas carols, and his narration of Mother Goose rhymes in Bing Crosby Sings and Narrates Jack  B. Nimble is a perfect fit for his iconic style. While the backing is orchestral, it’s not operatically overbearing or too heavy for kids. The focal point on this album is Crosby’s delivery and flow — he sounds like the king of all grandpas doing story time. Readings of classics, such as "Jack Be Nimble," and "Star Light, Star Bright," as well as lesser-known narratives, including "For Want of a Nail" and "We Don’t Know Where We’re Going March," will introduce your grandkids to good old stuff that’s entirely new to them. Crosby’s ability to engross listeners through basic storytelling is something you don’t find often on recent kids' albums, and serves as a reminder that simplicity is still something to be cherished.

Age: 2+
Retail Price: $5+
Available at: amazon.com

Putumayo Kids Presents: Sesame Street Playground

That Sesame Street is popular around the globe isn’t a surprise; the educational value and sheer fun of its Muppetry remains unparalleled. This new Putumayo World Music collection, Sesame Street Playground,  gathers songs from the show and presents them in styles from different countries. The music, kids, and voices are all universal even if the language isn’t. Grandkids will learn to sing the "Don’t Be Sad Song" from Tanzania’s Usihuzunike language, India’s Galli Galli Sim Sim, and the Chinese version of "Rubber Duckie" (Xiang Pi Xiao Ya). Young kids love to sing curious new words, and the fun sounds and arrangements will make singing in a new language even more thrilling. A bonus DVD includes clips from various, international versions of the show and accompanies the CD.

Age: 2+
Retail Price: $14.98
Available at: amazon.com