FAMILY : ‘This Little Piggy’ Swings, Monk-Style, on Jazz Album

You’ve never heard a version of “This Little Piggy” quite like it. Adapted from Thelonious Monk’s “Well You Needn’t,” this swinging version of the nursery counting rhyme is featured on an outstanding new children’s release, “The Mother Goose Jazz Band, Go With the Flow,” by Josh Greenberg.

Greenberg, a New York musician/composer/teacher, does arrangements and plays alto and soprano sax and keyboards on the album. He and several other accomplished musicians and vocalists take familiar children’s songs into a whole new realm to give young listeners an introductory taste of jazz. And, while some selections please with easy listening, soft-centered charm, others have enough sophistication to earn a nod from adult jazz enthusiasts.

Highlights include three arrangements by Greenberg and keyboardist Bill Vitek: the aforementioned Monk-style “Little Piggy”; “Little Boy Blue,” which starts out with a sweet children’s chorus then heats up with lead singer Kelly Bird’s velvety, full-bodied vocals; and an irresistible “Farmer in the Dell” that cooks like crazy.

* “The Mother Goose Jazz Band, Go With the Flow,” Music, By Gosh! CD: $14.95. Audiocassette: $9.95. (800) 469-1080.

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Child’s Play: Make a nature book, hear a story, see a puppet play: the free, weekly Children’s Series at the Los Angeles Central Public Library begins Saturday at 2 p.m. with “Nature Book Making,” led by artist Julie Rona, who will show how to make a book using rubbings from natural materials.

Additional crafts and performances in the series include: “The Magic of Jim Kopperman” (Jan. 14); “The World of Knighthood” (Jan. 21); Korean Classical Music and Dance Company (Jan. 28); “Storytelling With Mama Africa” (Feb. 4); “Cartoon Artistry of David G. Brown” (Feb. 11); “Positive Imaging” with Dolores Johnson (Feb. 18); The Spirit of Black Folklore (Feb. 25); “Trickster Tales” (March 4); The Art of Paper Folding (March 11); “Scrumptious Stories” creative dramatics (March 18); and Little Theatre of the Deaf (March 25).

All programs begin at 2 p.m. and are held in the library’s Mark Taper Auditorium or its KLOS Story Theatre. Information: (213) 228-7250.

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Art Aftershocks: “The Earth Moved,” an exhibit of art by elementary school children from across L.A. County, shows how last year’s Northridge quake affected some of the youngest among us. Presented by the county’s Project REBOUND, over 100 artworks will be on display at Santa Monica Place Community Focus Gallery from Jan. 17 to Feb. 28, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday. The public is invited to attend an opening ceremony and reception honoring the young artists on Jan. 17, beginning at 6 p.m.