JAM Trio Is a Silly Lot That Knows How to Have Fun

Jam Session: “Having Fun!” a new home video from the musical trio Jumping JAM, is a quick mix of live concert footage, location shots and preschooler-pleasing silliness. The JAMs--Mark Beckwith, Bob Selvin and Julie Chrenow--run out of steam lyrically at times--”I think that green is really keen”--and Beckwith and Selvin do some wince-making mugging for the camera, but the group makes a warm connection with its target audience and scores with several songs.

“Rockin’ Roller Coaster” is a smooth musical ride with an easy beat, while “Day Old Donuts,” sung to the tune of the calypso classic “Day-O,” is a comic delight.

“Oak Tree” is the standout. The group plays flute and acoustic guitar and sings about the diversity of life--an owl, a lizard, a squirrel and so on--supported by an old oak tree on a hill.

“Having Fun!” Barkle Music Recordings. Video: $15.99. Audiocassette: $9.99. Information: (818) 787-8500.

Trick-or-Treat: Very young children can get in the Halloween party mood with two holiday audiocassettes: “Lumpkin, the Pumpkin,” from Kid Rhino, is the story of a good little witch and a happy pumpkin who show that you don’t have to be scary to have fun on Halloween. The gentle story and songs were written by ‘60s troubadour Bobby Goldsboro, who good-humoredly narrates, sings and does the lead voices. “Monster Rock,” from Rincon Children’s Entertainment, is simply a grab bag of silly songs based on the “Monster in My Pocket” toy line. The golden oldie “Monster Mash” is included, of course, along with such original tunes as “Saturday Night at the Boneyard.”

“Lumpkin, the Pumpkin.” Kid Rhino. Audiocassette: $6.99. “Monster Rock.” Rincon Children’s Entertainment/BMG Kidz. Audiocassette: $7.98. Both widely available.

Return to Yesteryear: Actress Melissa Gilbert-Brinkman, who grew up starring in the “Little House on the Prairie” TV series, will read a selection from Laura Ingalls Wilder’s “Little House” books Oct. 17 from noon to 2 p.m. at Books of Wonder in Beverly Hills. Information: (310) 247-8025.

Return to Yesteryear: Actress Melissa Gilbert-Brinkman, who grew up starring in “Little House on the Prairie” TV series, will read a selection from Laura Ingalls Wilder’s “Little House” books Sept. 17 from noon to 2 p.m. at Books of Wonder in Beverly Hills. Information: (310) 247-8025.