A Joyful Jazz Journey for Youngsters

Audio

Jazz for Kids: Everybody’s Boppin’. DCC Compact Classics. 58 minutes. CD: $12. https://www.dccompactclassics.com .

Expressive jazz vocalist and music teacher Lisa Yves and a chorus of her cool student singers swing, scat and bebop through 18 classic and original jazz tunes in this new album. The toe-tapping, finger-popping tracks include Louis Prima’s “Sing, Sing, Sing”; “Straighten Up and Fly Right” by Nat King Cole and Irving Mills; and Duke Ellington’s “In a Mellow Tone.” Yves adds kid-friendly lyrics to some songs, including Bobby Troup’s “(Hey) Daddy” and Miles Davis’ “Freddie Freeloader.”

Yves’ own inventive, sunny compositions include “Alphabet Scat,” a riff on colors (“Colors of the Blues”) and a tribute to Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker. Her bedtime “Jazzabye” is a honey-smooth knockout. So are the full instrumentals, played by top-notch musicians on bass, piano, drums, sax and trumpet.

Newborn. Big Kids Productions. 30 minutes. CD: $15. (800) 477-7811. https://www.bigkidsvideo.com.

Pop singer Sara Hickman notably turns her talents to recordings for children in the first of two new releases. (Her creative “Toddler” album is the other.) There are more than a few standout songs in this collection of traditional and original material, but first you have to get past Track 2. That may take a while. The subtle shadings of Hickman’s soprano in the a capella “It’s Alright” and the poignancy of her love-affirming lyrics are exquisite enough for immediate repeat listening. The song is reprised later too with a string arrangement that is equally lovely.

Inspired by her own children, Hickman is at her best giving glowing expression to a mother’s wondering and love for a new baby. Parents can easily personalize the songs for their own offspring. “Lily,” the song she wrote for her daughter, is crafted so that parents can substitute their child’s name in the lyrics. Her jazzy, a capella “A Slice of Heaven” is irresistible. Only one track is a misfit: “Goop’s in It,” a questionable ode to crusty eye stuff that she wrote during her new baby’s pediatric visit. Great doo-wop harmonies, but wince-making lyrics.

The Soccer Mom From Outer Space. Inkless Records. CD: $15. Ages 4-8. Children’s Book World, (310) 559-2665; Storyopolis, (310) 358-2500; Pages Books, (818) 342-6657; www.barneysaltzberg.com.

An eclectic mix of country and pop musical styles and child-centered subjects by Barney Saltzberg, who writes and illustrates children’s books in addition to making children’s music. Nothing slick, just warm and friendly songs about embarrassingly enthusiastic soccer moms; a shopping trip with some animal companionship; the motley rewards of a yard sale; holding best friends in heart and mind, and cozily winding down at bedtime.

Video

Families of the World: Korea. Master Communications Inc. 30 minutes. $20. Ages 5-11. (800) 765-5885. www.familiesoftheworld.com.

In bustling Seoul, 9-year-old Kitae plays video games, does schoolwork on his computer and takes classes in music and English. His dad, an executive, drives to work each day; Mom takes care of their comfortable security apartment, shops and takes golf lessons.

There are computers in 9-year-old Heejin’s school too, and she’s also learning English. But this third-grader’s house has paper windows and heated floors, and her daily life includes helping harvest persimmons, working in the family restaurant, and learning ancient mask dancing and totem carving. The population of Heejin’s tiny South Korean village is 200.

Young viewers will find it difficult to think of children of other countries as strangers when they see the fascinating “Families of the World” video series. With a child’s-eye approach--each video is narrated by the children featured (in translation)--contrasts and similarities spark interest and recognition. Previously available only to schools and libraries, the award-winning video series also includes visits to Israel, Thailand, Sweden, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Japan, India, Ghana, China, Brazil and the United States.