Jessica Harper (Rounder Kids)
Any reasonably literate children's album that doesn't invoke talking reptiles or rodents is welcome. And parents who like to sing to, or with, their children should enjoy this sweet-natured, sprightly album by Harper, who leads a professional double life as a singer and actress (Woody Allen's Stardust Memories; It's Garry Shandling's Show). Harper sings in an ingratiatingly relaxed, swingy style reminiscent of Carole King. And though her songs lean a bit heavily on silly rhymes ("Don't fret, Juliet/ Here's my best idea yet:/ Let's take a jet to Tibet!"), they have a casual charm, as long as you aren't planning to use them to prep the kids for the SATs ("Did you know that long ago/ the Eskimos said, 'Too much snow/ in Tokyo, so off we'll go/ to Mexico!' "). "I'm Not Going to Chase the Cat Today" and "I Like Where I Am" are especially appealing.
Bottom Line: Happy, snappy rhyme time
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