Classic Folk Songs for Kids (preview) - Various Artists

Artist: Various Artists (Smithsonian Folkways)

Album: Classic Folk Songs for Kids

Description: Just a few months ago, I wrote for the Smithsonian that it was about time for Volume 2 of Smithsonian Folkways Children's Music Collection.  Well, they've sort of done that now in this, the 26th entry in Folkways' "Classic Series." The playlist -- artists and songs -- itself is certainly classic.  Go to the link below to hear Pete Seeger, Bess Hawes, and Tom Glazer sing "Polly Wolly Doodle" and Elizabeth Mitchell sing Woody Guthrie's classic "Riding in the Car."

Source: Smithsonian Folkways

All Kinds of You and Me - Alastair Moock

All Kinds of You and Me album cover

Artist: Alastair Moock

Album: All Kinds of You and Me

Description: Pssssst.  Would you like to hear the latest album from Alastair Moock, who was nominated for a Grammy for his last kids' album, Singing Our Way Through?  Yes, I thought so.  All Kinds of You and Me is a tribute of sorts to the classic Free To Be You and Me, and already has a sweet, Key Wilde-animated video for the leadoff track "It Takes All Kinds."  Worth your time to give it a spin.

Source: Bandcamp

Full Moon, Full Moon - Papa Crow

Artist: Papa Crow

Album: Full Moon, Full Moon

Description: It's been three years (and an EP) later since Michigan's Jeff Krebs (aka Papa Crow) released his well-loved debut Things That Roar, but this week sees the release of the full-length follow-up.  Fans of the debut will hear a familiar gently playful folk sound, with some familiar artists like Frances England making an appearance.

Source: Bandcamp

How To Be a Cloud - Kira Willey

Artist: Kira Willey

Album: How To Be a Cloud

Description: The forthcoming third album from the Pennsylvania-based Willey follows the format of her first two albums -- light kindie pop that's dually purposed in the second half as the basis for yoga moves.  I've streamed the kindie pop tracks below, but you can go ahead and listen to the yoga tracks, too.

Source: Soundcloud

Til the Morning: Lullabies & Songs of Comfort - Edie Carey and Sarah Sample

Artist: Edie Carey & Sarah Sample

Album: 'Til the Morning: Lullabies & Songs of Comfort

Description: Funded (or pre-sold) originally as a Kickstarter project, this collection of lullabies from the two singer-songwriters promises to deliver on the promise of its album title (except for the implied 8-hour run time).  The four tracks put up for preview from the June 10 release I think will interest many listeners, both for its gentle style as well as for the song selection (e.g., "California Stars," a Billy Bragg/Wilco/Woody Guthrie track, or "Lullaby," originally recorded by the Dixie Chicks).

Source: Bandcamp

Australian Playground - Putumayo Kids (Various Artists)

Artist: Putumayo Kids (Various Artists)

Album: Australian Playground

Description: So there's a new Putumayo collection out May 27 from a land down under.  It does not feature the Wiggles, which I suspect the Putumayo target audience is OK with.  It does feature some usual Australian suspects ("Waltzing Matilda," natch), some omissions (no "Kookaburra"), and a bunch of folk-jazz artists (with a touch of "world music") who'll be new to the Northern Hemisphere. 

Source: Bandcamp

"Follow Me" - Little Miss Ann

Artist: Little Miss Ann

Song: "Follow Me"

Album: Follow Me

Description: The first single from the Chicago artist's Kickstarted album is the sprightly title track.  With spring right around the corner, this'll fit in quite nicely.

Source: Soundcloud

"In All of the World" - Papa Crow

Artist: Papa Crow

Song: "In All of the World"

Album: Full Moon, Full Moon

Description: A mellow track emphasizing the universality of emotions from the Michigan-based musician, who says he wrote the song "sitting by the plastic kiddie pool" on the 4th of July in 2010, long before his fine debut album Things That Roar came out.  A hint of Van Morrison in the song, which'll be on Papa Crow's upcoming album, due out later this year.

Source: Soundcloud