The Best Kids and Family Music of the Past Decade

As we prepare to announce the 2016 edition of the Fids and Kamily Awards, ten years after the first Fids and Kamily Awards, we thought it'd be fun to look back at the first decade of awards and see if judges past and present could come up with a consensus list of the best kids and family music of those last ten years.

So we compiled our list of all Fids and Kamily award-winners -- there were 122 of them -- sent them to judges, and asked them to pick their twenty favorites and score them in a similar manner as they do for the annual Fids and Kamily Awards.

Speaking as a judge who had to do this myself, I can assure you that this was tough work, even tougher than the annual awards, because I've heard more than 20 undeniably awesome kids music albums in the last decade, and that meant I had to leave some undeniably awesome kids music albums off my list.

But we all did it, and what you see below is the consensus list of the best kids music albums of the last decade.  No doubt some of your favorites might have been left off the list -- hey, some of your favorites might even have been left off the list of award-winners -- but I'm pretty sure that all of these will bring just about every family no small amount of joy.

Here, then, are the top 20 albums of the past decade, along with another 20 honorable mentions, with  the Fids and Kamily Award-winning year in parentheses.  (Note: albums released since Oct. 1, 2015 were not eligible for these awards, since those albums would be considered for the 2016 Fids and Kamily Awards.)

1.  The Okee Dokee Brothers - Can You Canoe? (2012)
2.  Molly Ledford and Billy Kelly - Trees (2015)
3.  Dan Zanes and Friends - Catch That Train! (2006)
4.  Justin Roberts - Jungle Gym (2010)
5.  Justin Roberts - Pop Fly (2008)
6.  Frances England - Mind of My Own (2011)
7.  They Might Be Giants - Here Come the 123s (2008)
8.  (tie) Elizabeth Mitchell - You Are My Little Bird (2006)
8.  (tie) Justin Roberts - Meltdown (2006)
10.  Barenaked Ladies - Snacktime (2008)
11.  Elizabeth Mitchell - Blue Clouds (2012)
12.  Asylum Street Spankers - Mommy Says No! (2007)
13.  They Might Be Giants - Here Comes Science (2009)
14.  Dan Zanes and Elizabeth Mitchell - Turn Turn Turn (2013)
15.  The Pop Ups - Radio Jungle (2012)
16.  Lori Henriques - How Great Can This Day Be (2015)
17.  Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band - A Potluck (2012)
18.  (tie) Secret Agent 23 Skidoo - The Perfect Quirk (2014)
19.  (tie) Tim Kubart - Home (2015)
20.  Brady Rymer - Love Me for Who I Am (2011)

Honorable Mentions (listed alphabetically by artist)
Caspar Babypants - Sing Along! (2011)
The Deedle Deedle Dees - Strange Dees, Indeed (2011)
Frances England - Blink of an Eye (2013)
Gustafer Yellowgold - Gustafer Yellowgold's Infinity Sock (2011)
Randy Kaplan - Mr. Diddie Wah Diddie (2012)
Lunch Money - Dizzy (2009)
Ziggy Marley - Family Time (2009)
Medeski, Martin and Wood - Let's Go Everywhere (2008)
Elizabeth Mitchell - Sunny Day (2010)
Alastair Moock - Singing Our Way Through - Songs for the World's Bravest Kids (2013)
The Not-Its! - Raise Your Hand (2014)
The Okee Dokee Brothers - Through the Woods (2014)
Elena Moon Park - Rabbit Days and Dumplings (2012)
The Pop Ups - Appetite for Construction (2014)
Recess Monkey - The Final Funktier (2010)
Red Yarn - Deep Woods Revival (2015)
Renee and Jeremy - It's a Big World (2007)
Justin Roberts - Recess (2013)
Various Artists (Spare the Rock Records) - Science Fair (2012)
Key Wilde and Mr. Clarke - Pleased To Meet You (2013)

For you data nerds, here are some more details.

• 104 of the 122 albums received at least one vote.
• There were 67 different artists or combinations, excluding "Various Artists" compilations, of which 6 made the list of 122
• The top 10 artists in the voting for this "best-of-the-decade" list, combining the votes for all their albums were, in order:

1. Justin Roberts
2. Elizabeth Mitchell
3. The Okee Dokee Brothers
4. Dan Zanes
5. Frances England
6. Lunch Money
7. Recess Monkey
8. They Might Be Giants
9. The Pop Ups
10. Gustafer Yellowgold

• Based on the average number of points for each year's albums, 2012 took the title for best year.

Thanks to all the artists who've been making music for families for the past decade -- and much more! -- and thanks to the judges who've helped make Fids and Kamily a useful place to find the best kids music each and every year.  Here's looking forward to another decade of great kids music.  The next decade begins next week!

The Best Kids and Family Music of 2015: 10th Annual Fids and Kamily Award Winners

Double digits!  Yes, this is the tenth year of the Fids and Kamily Music Poll (http://www.fidsandkamily.com/).  That's ten years of celebrating the best in music for kids and families, and we're tickled pink to get to announce this year's winners.  This year's top spot goes to Molly Ledford's and Billy Kelly's Trees, with a number of names familiar to the  winners' list as well as some newcomers making up the top 12.

[Editors' note: Due to a calculation error, the original announcement post omitted Jazzy Ash's and Vered's albums from the Top 10 -- now Top 12 -- list.  We have updated the post to reflect the correct calculation.  We are sorry for, and regret, the error.]

You can listen to selections from the top 10 by streaming this week's Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child (or listen directly via the player below).

The Top 12 albums of 2015 are (in order):

1. Molly Ledford and Billy Kelly - Trees
2. Alastair Moock and Friends - All Kinds of You and Me
3. The Pop Ups - Great Pretenders Club
4. Lori Henriques - How Great Can This Day Be
5. (tie) Renee and Friends - Simpatico
5. (tie) Recess Monkey - Hot Air
7. Tim Kubart - Home
8. Josh and the Jamtones - Rocksteady
9. Red Yarn - Deep Woods Revival
10. (tie) Andrew and Polly - Odds & Ends
10. (tie) Jazzy Ash - Bon Voyage

10. (tie) Vered - Hello My Baby

Honorable Mentions (unranked, listed alphabetically)

The Bazillions - On the Bright Side
Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band - Adelante
Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer - Dancin' in the Kitchen
Gustafer Yellowgold - Gustafer Yellowgold's Dark Pie Concerns
Harmonica Pocket - Sundrops
Play Date - We All Shine
Pointed Man Band - Flight of the Blue Whale
Sunshine Collective - Up to Something Good

In addition to these 20 CDs, there were another 37 albums receiving at least one vote, making a total of 57 albums receiving one or more votes from the Poll's 22 judges. 

The Fids and Kamily Poll is the first compilation of year-end kids and family music "best of" lists from critics, writers, radio programmers, and others involved in the music industry. The poll was launched in 2006 and was inspired by the Village Voice’s long-running “Pazz and Jop” music poll.

The Best Kids and Family Music of 2014 - 9th Annual Fids and Kamily Award Winners

Can you believe it?  This the ninth year of the Fids and Kamily Music Poll (http://www.fidsandkamily.com/).  This year saw the Okee Dokee Brothers' Through the Woods edge out The Pop Ups' Appetite for Construction for the best kids and family album of the year. Those two topped another list of outstanding releases from familiar names and newcomers to the kindie world as well.

You can listen to selections from the top 10 by streaming this week's Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child.

The Top 10 albums of 2014 are (in order):
1. The Okee Dokee Brothers - Through the Woods
2. The Pop Ups - Appetite for Construction
3. Recess Monkey - Wired
4. The Not-Its - Raise Your Hand
5. Walter Martin - We're All Young Together
6. Danny Weinkauf - No School Today
7. Secret Agent 23 Skidoo - The Perfect Quirk
8. Brady Rymer and the Little Band That Could - Just Say Hi!
9. Dog on Fleas - Buy One Get One Flea
10. Zee Avi - Nighlight


Honorable Mentions (unranked, listed alphabetically)

Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band - Aqui Alla
Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band - Lishy Lou and Lucky Too
The Good Ms. Padgett - If We Must, We Must
Gustafer Yellowgold - Gustafer Yellowgold's Wisdom Tooth of Wisdom
Randy Kaplan - Jam on Rye
Jazzy Ash - Home
Rainbow Beast and Rock Land Band Rockers - Tales from the Monstrosity Scrolls
Recess Monkey - Desert Island Disc
Red Yarn - The Deep Woods
Steve Weeks - Once I Lived Upon the Sea

In addition to these 20 CDs, there were another 45 albums receiving at least one vote, making a total of 65 albums receiving one or more votes from the Poll's 24 judges. 

Among those 65 were 20 albums from artists that had not previously released family-oriented music.  The top eight debuts (unranked) were:

Zee Avi - Nightlight
Edie Carey & Sarah Sample - 'Til the Morning: Lullabies and Songs of Comfort
Robert Charde - For Little Ears of Tender Years
Walter Martin - We're All Young Together
Rainbow Beast and Rock Land Band Rockers - Tales from the Monstrosity Scrolls
Red Yarn - The Deep Woods
Danny Weinkauf - No School Today
The Whirlygigs - Greetings from Cloud 9

The Fids and Kamily Poll is the first compilation of year-end kids and family music "best of" lists from critics, writers, radio programmers, and others involved in the music industry. The poll was launched in 2006 and was inspired by the Village Voice’s long-running “Pazz and Jop” music poll.

The Best Kids and Family Music of 2013 - Fids and Kamily Award Winners

This is the eighth year of the Fids and Kamily Music Poll (http://www.fidsandkamily.com/), and this year Justin Roberts was the lucky winner -- his album Recess was voted the best kids and family album of the year (and his album Lullaby placed number 10). It topped another list of outstanding releases from familiar names and newcomers, too.

You can listen to selections from the top 13 by streaming this week's Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child.

The Top 13 albums of 2013 are (in order):
1. Justin Roberts - Recess
2. Frances England - Blink of an Eye
3. Alastair Moock - Singing Our Way Through-Songs for the World's Bravest Kids
4. Dan Zanes and Elizabeth Mitchell - Turn Turn Turn
5. Shine and the Moonbeams - Shine and the Moonbeams
6. Recess Monkey - Deep Sea Diver
7. The Not-Its! - Kidquake
8. Dean Jones - When the World Was New
9. Key Wilde & Mr. Clarke - Pleased to Meet You
10. Justin Roberts - Lullaby
11. Lori Henriques - The World Is A Curious Place to Live
12. Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band - Fantastico!
13. Lloyd H. Miller - S.S. Brooklyn

Honorable Mentions (unranked next ten):

Bill Harley & Keith Munslow - It's Not Fair To Me
Caspar Babypants - I Found You!
Cat Doorman - Songbook
Heidi Swedberg and The Sukey Jump Band - My Cup of Tea 
Joanie Leeds and the Nightlights - Bandwagon
Mister G - ABC Fiesta
Paul Spring - Home of Song
Tim and the Space Cadets - Anthems for Adventure
The Verve Pipe - Are We There Yet?
Trout Fishing in America - Rubber Baby Buggy Bumpers

In addition to these 23 CDs, there were another 32 albums receiving at least one vote, making a total of 55 albums receiving one or more votes from the Poll's 27 judges.

Among them were a dozen debut albums -- from artists that had not previously released family-oriented music.  The top six debuts (unranked) were:

Cat Doorman - Songbook
Crosspulse Percussion Ensemble - I Like Everything About You, Yes I Do!
The Ohmies - Morning Wish Garden
Paul Spring - Home of Song
Shine and the Moonbeams - Shine and the Moonbeams
The Watson Twins - Pioneer Lane

The Fids and Kamily Poll is the first compilation of year-end kids and family music "best of" lists from critics, writers, radio programmers, and others involved in the music industry. The poll was launched in 2006 and was inspired by the Village Voice’s long-running “Pazz and Jop” music poll.

The Best Kids and Family Music of 2012 - Fids and Kamily Award Winners

This is the seventh year of the Fids and Kamily Music Poll (http://www.fidsandkamily.com/), and this year the Okee Dokee Brothers were the lucky winners -- their album Can You Canoe? was voted the best kids and family album of the year.  It topped another list of outstanding releases from familiar names, big name artists trying their hand at family music, and newcomers, too.
The Top 15 albums of 2012 are (in order):
1. The Okee Dokee Brothers - Can You Canoe?
2. Various Artists - Science Fair
3. Recess Monkey - In Tents
4. Lunch Money - Spicy Kid
5. Elizabeth Mitchell and You Are My Flower - Blue Clouds
6. Secret Agent 23 Skidoo - Make Believers
7. Randy Kaplan - Mr. Diddie Wah Diddie
8. Dog on Fleas - Invisible Friends
9. Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band - A Potluck
10. Ozomatli - Ozomatli Presents OzoKidz
11. The Pop Ups - Radio Jungle
12. Gustafer Yellowgold - Gustafer Yellowgold's Year in the Day
13. Elena Moon Park - Rabbit Days and Dumplings
14. Sugar Free Allstars - All on a Sunday Afternoon
15. Elizabeth Mitchell and You Are My Flower - Little Seed

Honorable Mentions (unranked next five):

Big Bang Boom - Because I Said So!
Caspar Babypants - Hot Dog!
Elska - Middle of Nowhere
Renee & Jeremy - A Little Love
Laura Veirs - Tumble Bee

In addition to these 20 CDs, there were another 43 albums receiving at least one vote, making a total of 63 albums receiving one or more votes from the Poll's 26 judges.
The Fids and Kamily Poll is the first compilation of year-end kids and family music "best of" lists from critics, writers, radio programmers, and others involved in the music industry. The poll was launched in 2006 and was inspired by the Village Voice’s long-running “Pazz and Jop” music poll.

Fids and Kamily 2012 Announced tomorrow

Who's excited? I am, I am!

The votes are tallied and the results are in! I can hardly keep it to myself, but we'll be sharing it with you all in just a few hours.... Tune in to Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child tomorrow at 8am Eastern to hear a countdown of the top kids and family albums of 2012! Stream at: WRSI.com.

The Best Kids and Family Music of 2011 - Fids and Kamily Award Winners

In the sixth year of the Fids and Kamily Music Poll (http://www.fidsandkamily.com/), Recess Monkey's FLYING! was voted the best kids and family album of the year, topping a list of outstanding releases in a year that included a kids and family albums from mainstream/adult artists, seasoned kindie artists and some fantastic newcomers.
The Top 10 albums of 2011 are (in order):
1. Recess Monkey - FLYING!
2. Dan Zanes and Friends - Little Nut Tree
3. Frances England - Mind of My Own
4. Caspar Babypants - Sing Along!
5. Lunch Money - Original Friend
6. Brady Rymer - Love Me for Who I Am
7. The Deedle Deedle Dees - Strange Dees, Indeed
8. The Jimmies - Practically Ridiculous
9. Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band - Oh Lucky Day!
10. Gustafer Yellowgold - Gustafer Yellowgold's Infinity Sock
Honorable Mentions (unranked next ten):

Cat and a Bird - Cat and a Bird
The Hipwaders - The Golden State
Charlie Hope - Let's Go Play!
Ella Jenkins - A Life of Song
Joanie Leeds and the Nightlights - What a Zoo!
Todd McHatton - Galactic Champions of Joy
Alastair Moock - These Are My Friends
The Not-Its - Tag, You're It!
Papa Crow - Things That Roar
Chip Taylor and the Grandkids - Golden Kids Rules
In addition to these 20 CDs, there were another 43 albums receiving at least one vote, making a total of 63 albums receiving one or more votes from the Poll's 29 judges.
The Fids and Kamily Poll is the first compilation of year-end kids and family music "best of" lists from critics, writers, radio programmers, and others involved in the music industry. The poll was launched in 2006 and was inspired by the Village Voice’s long-running “Pazz and Jop” music poll.

Fids and Kamily 2011 Awards To Be Announced Saturday, Nov. 19!

It is so hard to wait!

Bill Childs will be announcing the winners on Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child on Saturday, November 19.  Listen to WRSI from 8 AM to 10 AM East Coast time to hear cuts from all the winning albums.

The Best Kids and Family Music of 2010 - Fids and Kamily Award Winners

In the fifth year of the Fids and Kamily Music Poll, we have a tie for first place! The albums Many Hands: Family Music for Haiti and Justin RobertsJungle Gym was voted the best kids and family album of the year. These two wonderful CDSs top a list of outstanding releases in a year that included a kids and family albums from mainstream/adult artists, seasoned kindie artists and some fantastic newcomers.

The Top 10 albums of 2010 are (in order):

1. (tie) Justin Roberts - Jungle Gym
1. (tie) Various Artists - Many Hands: Family Music for Haiti
3. Elizabeth Mitchell - Sunny Day
4. Recess Monkey - The Final Funktier
5. Secret Agent 23 Skidoo - Underground Playground
6. The Okee Dokee Brothers - Take It Outside
7. Pop Ups - Outside Voices
8. Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem - Ranky Tanky
9. Flannery Brothers - New Explorers Club
10. Randy Kaplan - The Kids Are All Id


Honorable Mentions (unranked next five):
Dean Jones with the Felice Brothers - Rock Paper Scissors

Not-Its - Time Out to Rock

Sugar Free Allstars - Funky Fresh & Sugar Free

Key Wilde & Mr. Clarke - Rise and Shine

Keller Williams - Kids

In addition to these 15 CDs, there were another 59 albums receiving at least one vote, making a total of 74 albums receiving one or more votes from the Poll's 28 judges.

The Fids and Kamily Poll is the first compilation of year-end kids and family music "best of" lists from critics, writers, radio programmers, and others involved in the music industry. The poll was launched in 2006 and was inspired by the Village Voice’s long-running “Pazz and Jop” music poll. The full results of the poll, including essays on the top 10 albums and a listing of other nominated albums, are available at the Fids and Kamily website (http://fidsandkamily.com).

#1 (tie): Justin Roberts - Jungle Gym

It’s hard to add much to the love that Chicago popster Justin Roberts received for in 2010, with coverage in the New York Times and Time. But here’s my best try: Liam Davis’s production just keeps getting better, the band sounds more and more cohesive all the time, the lyrics remain spot-on, and it is, easily, his best record to date.

-- Bill Childs, Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child

#1 (tie): Various Artists - Many Hands: Family Music for Haiti

Set aside the fact that Many Hands: Family Music for Haiti, the compilation put together by Dean Jones and Bill Childs is a benefit album supporting the Haitian People's Support Project, which supports nutritional and educational programs in orphanages, schools, and temporary shelters throughout Haiti. Set aside the fact that the album is pretty much the first family-music-by-family-musicians benefit album ever in which many "new school" family musicians (and a few "old school" musicians) came together quickly on this project. Even if none of that were true, the music alone is very, very worthy, with lots of great songs. Many families -- both those who listen to the album, as well as those many miles away -- will be touched by this effort. -- Stefan Shepherd, Zooglobble

#3: Elizabeth Mitchell - Sunny Day

Elizabeth Mitchell is one of the best family musicians working today. Her voice is pure, her song selections eclectic, her arrangements deceptively simple, and all of the performances sublime. This record features a number of guest artists -- Dan Zanes, Levon Helm, and the Mekons' Jon Langford among them. It is simply wonderful. Her version of Bill Withers's "Lovely Day" (with daughter Storey singing) is perhaps the, pardon the expression, loveliest thing I have heard this year.
-- Bill Childs, Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child

#4: Recess Monkey - The Final Funktier

The fab trio of teachers from Seattle is at it again ... Recess Monkey's latest CD The Final Funktier's mix of funky, pop, beatbox and even a funny little skit gets us all bopping and singing along in the car. Despite the punny title of the CD, this funky band are a continually flowing fountain of great music and creativity.

-- Gwyneth Butera, Gooney Bird Kids

#5: Secret Agent 23 Skidoo - Underground Playground

Secret Agent 23 Skidoo is the first great hip-hop artist for kids, and I still think he’s the best. This second record is just ridiculously good. Deft rhyming, positive messages, sly humor, and great sampling add up to a record that’s not just terrific hip hop for kids, but terrific hip hop, period.

-- Bill Childs, Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child

#6: The Okee Dokee Brothers - Take It Outside

With their newest album Take It Outside, the Twin Cities' own The Okee Dokee Brothers have been taken out of the jewel case and have earned a permanent spot in our car. I'm in love with the bluegrass-y, fun and can't get enough of the exploration of topics that are not the standard material for kids' songs, eg, I cannot think of another song that has the word "Antidisestablishmentarianism" in it. These guys give us a toe-tappin' good time with their folksy take on the world.

-- Gwyneth Butera, Gooney Bird Kids

#7: Pop Ups - Outside Voices

Outside Voices is the debut album from the Brooklyn duo of Jacob Stein and Jason Rabinowitz, who record as The Pop Ups. Sometimes it's Motown, sometimes it's Death Cab for Cutie, it's seriously great and totally for kids, with no compromises for the adults listening in. This album is winning in every way and nothing less than the kids music debut of the year, an inventive mix of beats and melodies that will tickle the eardrums of young and old alike. -- Stefan Shepherd, Zooglobble