What We’re Reading: Picks from FPL youth librarian Caitlyn Walsh

By Caitlyn Walsh, Fayetteville Public Library

Summer is approaching and many of us might be spending some quality home time with the kiddos, so why not have some good, not drive you crazy, children’s music to enjoy?

I’ve chosen to feature two albums that many listeners may not be as familiar with, but that will provide quality toe-tapping entertainment. Both are available for check-out at Fayetteville Public Library!

Playful and upbeat, children and adults will inadvertently start shaking their hips and nodding their heads with the “Flannery Brothers, New Explorers Club” CD. They keep listeners on their toes by uniquely interpreting several music genres such as rockabilly, funk, and folk.

The diverse instrumentation maintains interest and will spur conversation. Songs include the sounds of the always attention-grabbing ukulele and the deep reedy baritone saxophone.

The “Hi 5 Dance” encourages interaction among children by giving them the opportunity to high five each other, clap, and “shake, shake a little”. “Let’s Go” encourages kids to dance, and make up their own moves. The song’s psychedelic interlude will also intrigue young listeners.

Lyrics like “I swallowed a bug”, “sometimes I want to lie down on the kitchen floor”, and “I’m gonna fly my big kite” will resonate with young children.

Put on your dancin’ shoes! David Meinstone’s unique voice paired with distinctive music and lyrics will also entertain young and old audiences alike on his music CD “All I Want”.

Experience rock, folk, soul, and “light” heavy metal through songs reminiscent of greats such as The Beatles, Bob Dylan, The Rascals, and Nirvana.

The original lyrics are playful and appropriate for youngsters. Children will laugh while trying to recreate the “pop” sound in the song “Pop Corn Tree”. Sitting still is not an option in “Dance Song”, which encourages getting up, shaking your hips and even your lips. “I Can Touch the Sky” has listeners touching the sky, jumping, and touching the ground which will be a hit at preschoolers.

The musicianship is top notch and listeners will love the myriad of instruments such as the harmonica, vibes, banjo, trombone and fiddle.

Sign up for the Fayetteville Public Library’s Summer Reading program by clicking HERE. You can start dropping off reading logs at the official summer reading kick-off event on Saturday, May 31, from 10 a.m. to noon throughout the library. There will be free sno cones, a bounce house, face painting, crafts, a photo booth and more! Click here to read more about the kickoff event!