... Fell Down the Children's Music Rabbit Hole...

... and found some neat stuff.

First things first, there is a lot of GREAT children's music out there.  There is a lot of great children's music that doesn't even really sound like it's for children and some of it is even created by adult artists.

Some of my current favorites that I use routinely as background music for my tween crafts.

Barenacked Ladies: Snacktime!

Lunch Money: Dizzy

Folk Playground

Sugar-Free AllStars: Funky Fresh and Sugar Free

Jack Johnson: Curious George Soundtrack

Recess Monkey: Animal House

Frances England: Fascinating Creatures

I haven't given any of these titles the thorough listening that they probably deserve, but as far as background tracks for painting like Michelangelo (lying on our backs under tables dribbling paint on our faces) or whatever crazy craft I've cooked up for the day; they were superb.  Everyone one of these had at least one song on it with lyrics just quirky enough to catch the kids interest ("Wait!  Did they just say make a balloon your friend?! That's ridiculous..."  Yes, yes it is.).  

Today, I went looking for a different kind of music.  Music that I could enjoy, but also find the chords for and maybe even play on my ukulele for the newest addition to our programing line up*.  This proved a bit tricky.  There isn't tab for a lot of children's music because no one has taken time time to figure it out (the exception being Barenaked Ladies and They Might Be Giants).  But. after much digging, I found my heroes.

Introducing Mr. Dan Zanes.  Check out his website where he give links to all the lyrics and an option to download the lyrics with the chords!!!  THANK YOU!!!!

and 

Mr. Caspar Babypants, (hint: not his real name.) who has also graciously provided music and chords.

I was very excited about this.  I emailed Mr. Babypants:

THANK YOU!!!!  I'm a children's library. I bought a ukulele for storytime, but have been seriously struggling with nursery rhymes (they have a purpose, don't get me wrong, but they are hard to really get into).  We use your CDs CONSTANTLY (had to buy extra copies so the patrons can get a hold of them) and on a whim I googled for chords for your songs.  So happy that you've provided them!

You're our hero!

Jessica and the rest of the Children's Department

He was very excited to hear from me and replied to my email:

YES!!! that is the response I hoped for as I spent hours and hours and hours doing that project!!!
glad they are getting used! spread the word!
casapr

 We have collectively used our lifetime allotment of exclamation points.   There you have it.  My seriously esoteric break-through.  This is life changing for me... and only me. :-(

*Our newest program is called Preschool Pals and is aimed at ages 2-5 (but we welcome any age when accompanied by an adult).  We created this to try to service our growing number of toddlers, but still provide an option for our dwindling number of preschoolers (last session of storytime the turn out was devastatingly abysmal)... Wish us luck!