Best for Getting Rowdy Kids to Chill Out for 30 Minutes

Winner: Family Tree, by Frances England
England, whose debut CD was recorded as a preschool fund-raiser, has a truly original sound, marrying lo-fi indie rock with simple lyrics that speak to both preschoolers and young grade-schoolers. On her second album, she picks up the tempo and beefs up the arrangements a bit, but it’s still a good CD for quieter times. (And the packaging and cover art by England are gorgeous.)

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