These Yarns for Kids Tickle Adults Too

Audio

The Battle of the Mad Scientists and Play It Again. Bill Harley. Round River Records. CD: $15. Cassette: $10. (800) 682-9522. https://www.billharley.com/.

In “The Battle of the Mad Scientists,” storyteller, songwriter and National Public Radio humorist Bill Harley spins more of his vivid, funny stories from a kid’s point of view, but that doesn’t mean adults won’t get a kick out of them too.

Harley begins with the title track, a rib-tickling gross-out tale about what happens when a couple of creative fourth-grade entrepreneurs put on a show and are upstaged by their co-star, a 4-year-old with an extremely unfortunate passion for marshmallow peanuts.

Harley’s tale of a kid’s death-defying “Great Sled Race” down Mammoth Hill is performed talking blues-style. Where do the blues come in? Let’s just say that the school principal’s rather large wife figures into the race results.

“The Eeny Weeny Beeny Ghost” is a gleeful version of a ghost story with one of those “I’m getting closer ‘gotcha’ ” endings, and Harley wraps up with a story about a dreaded substitute teacher.

“Play It Again” is classic Harley, a compilation of “Favorite Songs (& One New Story),” 15 years worth of toe-tapping, thoughtful and fun songs that observe childhood with a keen eye and a giggle, from “Cool in School” and “Dad Threw the TV Out the Window” to “There Goes My Brother Again” and “50 Ways to Fool Your Mother.” Harley’s comic new story, “You’re Not the Boss of Me,” where not even the chief of the skunk police can make Charlene Skunk set the table, has a special message for parents too.

Jim Gill Sings Do Re Mi on His Toe Leg Knee. Jim Gill Music Inc. CD: $15. Cassette: $10. (708) 763-9864.

A creative artist can always find an entertaining way to present familiar children’s music, and Jim Gill is certainly that. His songs are an invitation to play and sing along as he puts a new spin on traditional songs for toddlers and adds his own inventive songs with standout jazzy instrumentals. Gill’s infectious enthusiasm for wordplay is most notable in “My Ups and Downs,” a zany musical poem with percussion and bass: “As I ascend, my arms extend, and I intend to stretch my body straight, as I elevate.”

Video

Be Cool--Play It Safe. EMP America, 45 minutes, $20. (800) 700-7099.

A lot of territory is covered in this upbeat, informative video for ages 3 to 9. Water safety, fire and burn prevention, gun safety, preventing drug abuse, dog bite prevention, bicycle safety, choking prevention, car and pedestrian safety--it runs the gamut, and a colorful delivery helps kids remember the useful tips.

Host and creator Michael Mish, a children’s recording artist and entertainer, cleverly keeps things light with the help of a terrific canine assistant named Gracie, likable real kids, and all kinds of zany sight and sound gags, including some charming outtakes during the closing credits. A family activity guide can be ordered separately for $2.50.