“You are My Little Bird,” Elizabeth Mitchell
Mitchell’s melodic covers of classic American folk songs and other tunes from around the world—think Bob Marley’s “Three Little Birds”—are so charming, you’ll have no problem listening to this collection of songs over and over again. ($9.97, www.amazon.com)

“Caribbean Playground,” Various Artists (Putumayo Kids)
After a few listens to this collection of Caribbean songs featuring an array of diverse music such as zouk from the French Caribbean, soca from Trinidad, reggae from Jamaica, bomba from Puerto Rico and more, you’ll swear you’re sipping a fruity drink on a sunny island, even if you’re driving your minivan to soccer practice. ($14.98, www.putumayo.com)

“Singin in the Bathtub” and “The Sunny Side of the Street”, John Lithgow
We know, we know—John Lithgow? While you probably think of him as the actor who played an alien on 3rd Rock from the Sun, he’s actually a Broadway star with an amazing voice, not to mention sense of humor. Backed by a big band, Lithgow sings songs about everything from a underwear-sporting explorer, saying hello to flowers to a pair of hippos in love and why big kids aren’t so scary after all. These songs are so witty and downright catchy that we find ourselves listening to them even when our kids aren't in the car. ($10.99, www. amazon.com)

“Jazz for Kids: Clap, Wiggle and Shake,” Various Artists
Don’t be surprised if you recognize one or more of the tunes and artists on this disk. Chances are that your grandparents sang at least one of these to you when you were little. You’ll fall in love with this one instantly. Who can resist “The Muffin Man” or “Old McDonald” sang by the one and only Ella Fitzgerald, not to mention other classics performed by jazz legends? After you listen to this one a few times, you may be inclined to sign your kid—or yourself—up for trumpet lessons. ($10.99, www.amazon.com)

“We Wanna Rock: Non-Fiction and Nonsense from the Heartland,” Thaddeus Rex
This follow-up to PBS-fixture Rex’s  much-awarded first CD, “Martian Television Invasion,” features more imagination-jogging songs that celebrate reading. Dubbed “Part Monty Python, part Dr. Seuss” by the Washington Post, we guarantee that Rex’s giggle-inducing songs featuring titles like “I Stepped in Dog Doo” and “Slimy Green and Kind of Funny,” will make you laugh too. ($16.98, www.amazon.com)

“Sing-A-Longs & Lullabies for the Film Curious George,” Jack Johnson
Johnson, a Hawaiian John Mayer/Dave Matthews hybrid does for the Curious George movie what Simon and Garfunkel did for The Graduate. While labeled kids’ music, many of the songs on this CD—like the sweet cover of The White Stripes’ “We’re Going to be Friends”—could easily be played on popular radio. Others, like “The 3 Rs”, a remake of De La Soul’s “The Magic Number” about the merits of recycling, are definitely targeted for kids, but you’ll adore them just as much. When it comes to kiddie music, it doesn’t get much better than this. ($9.44, www.amazon.com)

“My Best Day,” Trout Fishing in America
Trout Fishing in America, the twice Grammy-nominated duo of guitarist Ezra Idlet and bassist Keith Grimwood, is the musical equivalent of a Pixar film like “The Incredibles”—technically intended for kids, but loved by adults alike. Even after 30 years of touring, this popular concert band still delights audiences everywhere with their folky tunes. If you can’t catch a live show, this CD is the next best thing. ($12.97, www.amazon.com)

“Catch That Train!,” Dan Zanes and Friends
You know you’ve hit the big time when your CD is sold in Starbucks, but you know you’ve really made it big when you’re awarded this honor as a kids’ musician. There’s no doubt this CD rocks—for both kids and parents—whether you’ve had one latte or 12. ($12.97, www.amazon.com)