"In the Group" - Tom Chapin

Artist: Tom Chapin 

Song: "In the Group" 

Album:  The Incredible Flexible You

Description:  My preferences run pretty far from the more explicitly educational kids music, and so this song, from an album expressly designed as part of a curriculum to encourage "social thinking," is not in my wheelhouse.  But others may think it useful, and I do love the animation from animator Steven Mertens.

Source: YouTube 

"Rubber Baby Buggy Bumpers" - Trout Fishing in America

Artist: Trout Fishing in America

Song: "Rubber Baby Buggy Bumpers" 

Album: Rubber Baby Buggy Bumpers 

Description: This video is more calm than the lyrical flips from Ezra and Keith.  Features the by-now very distinctive artwork from Beans Barton along with a banjo breakdown I just love. 

Source: YouTube 

"Dance of the Rubber Chickens" - Sandbox

Artist: Sandbox 

Song: "Dance of the Rubber Chickens" 

Album:  Rubber Chicken Rock

Description:  This is a novelty song (in more ways than one).

But, oh, what a novelty song. 

Source: YouTube 

"Sunshine Through My Window" - Play Date

Artist: Play Date 

Song: "Sunshine Through My Window" 

Album: Imagination 

Description: That illustrated elephant on the cover of the band's debut album?  He's real and he's on vacation. 

Source: YouTube 

"Banana Man" - Glen Hansard

Artist: Glen Hansard

Song: "Banana Man" 

Album: N/A

Description:  This is a video Hansard recorded for the forthcoming Adventure Sandwich TV show (yes, I was a Kickstarter backer).  Yes, it's a song about bananas.  And, of course, being Hansard, it sounds great, but it's the puppets that make it re-watchable.

Source: YouTube 

"Why Is the Sky Blue?" - Nick Cope

Artist: Nick Cope 

Song: "Why Is the Sky Blue?" 

Album: Why Is the Sky Blue? 

Description: The English musician Nick Cope and his son Burt have made quite a few videos together.  Their new one, for the title track to Nick's third album for families, is from the perspective a kid who asks a lot of (accentuated, well-rhymed) questions, and so the Copes' lo-fi animation style fits perfectly.

Source: YouTube 

"Ice Cream Sunday" - Groovy David

Artist:  Groovy David

Song:  "Ice Cream Sunday"

Album:  Kiddie Lounge

Description:  A swingin' ode to ice cream.  I think I was at an ice cream shop in San Francisco once that featured both "bacon and blueberry" and "dirt" flavors.

Source:  Vimeo