Putumayo Kids

• Offering educational children's music, Putumayo Kids is a division of Putumayo Music World. Putumayo Kids has two separate series of CDs: the Playground Series and The Dreamland Series. The Playground Series brings the music of Asia, Africa, South America and Europe to children, along with entire CDs of jazz, reggae, and folk music. Among the most popular CDs by this award-winning group are "Animal Playground," packed with songs about animals from around the world, and "Acoustic Dreamland," a collection of soothing instrumentals from various cultures.
  
  

Hot Peas 'N Butter

• Another award-winning group, Hot Peas 'N Butter, combines Afro-Caribbean rhythms, jazz, reggae and folk sounds with traditional Latin music. The songs encourage children to see the beauty of the world, the beauty of others and the beauty within themselves. Their CD, "Best in the Bowl," brings original and traditional songs filled with rhythm and beat in Spanish and English. Children not only learn about another culture, they learn another language as well.
  
  

Ella Jenkins

• Considered the First Lady of children's music, Ella Jenkins brings heart and soul into her CDs. Sharing music with children through classroom visits, school concerts and children's TV appearances, this 50-year veteran of the children's music scene believes that learning about others helps build a just world. Her newest release, "Sharing Cultures with Ella Jenkins," transports children around the world with songs that teach as well as entertain.
  
  

Other Children's Favorites

• Sweet Honey in the Rock, the all-woman a cappella group, has a delightful CD, "Experience...101," which teaches universal lessons such as trust, peace and compassion. Smithsonian Folkways Children's Music award-winner Elizabeth Mitchell casts a spell with her CD, "Sunny Days," a journey through the joy of simple things with touches of South African sound sung by the Children of Agape choir. American Blues singer Leadbelly's CD, "Leadbelly Sings for Children," introduces children to traditional, gospel, political, blues and folk tunes.