Every Child Deserves a Lifetime

Various Artists, $14

This charity-benefit album (a portion of each sale goes to the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation) boasts enough music superstars to shame your average Grammy Awards broadcast. There's a little something for everyone, whether it's Luther Vandross's soulful "If I Had a Hammer," Bruce Springsteen's mischievous "Chicken Lips and Lizard Hips," Seal's ethereal "Puff the Magic Dragon," or Little Richard's raucous "Itsy Bitsy Spider." The parade of all-stars (and varied genres) continues with Carole King, Natalie Merchant, Sting, Brian Wilson, Faith Hill, Babyface, Ziggy Marley, and more. And Bob Dylan completely owns "This Old Man."—Ages 2 and up

Putumayo Kids Presents: Brazilian Playground

Various Artists, $15

Heavily percussive samba; airy, jazzlike bossa nova; calypso-esque "forró": Brazil is home to a wide range of musical styles, all of which are inherently engaging and accessible for young children. Many of the songs on this joy-filled compilation may have been written for specific dances back in Brazil, but kids here will have no trouble cooking up steps of their own.—Ages 2 and up

Listen to the
Music Band

David Grover & The Big Bear Band, $12

For parents of a certain age, David Grover's latest album will have a familiar ring to it. The vast majority of the songs are Grover's original compositions, but on every track, Grover and his bandmates perfectly nail the sound and feel of late-'60s campfire folk. And they do so without any kind of semi-ironic retro sense; this is pure, earnest old-school folk music. And it works just as well for kids now as it did then.—Ages 2 and up

Under the
Mystic Sea

Maria Sangiolo, $15

Maria Sangiolo's happy-go-lucky brand of folk-rock is put to good use on this musical paean to marine life, both real (dolphins, sharks, penguins) and fantastical (mermaids). Sprinkling mandolins, dobros, tin whistles, and toy pianos among the standard guitar and drums, she invokes a fun-filled undersea world that will resonate well with little ones looking to sing along. And while she's got their attention, she manages to throw a little global-warming awareness into the mix with "It's Too Hot!"—Ages 3 and up