Artist: Hope Harris
Album: Picasso, That's Who!
Age Range: Ages 5 through 8
Description: What makes this album about famous people from the Virginia-based Harris stand out from most albums about famous people? 1) It's much more narrowly constructed, focusing on artists rather than a broader cross-section of people. 2) The participation of Dan Zanes collaborator Rob Friedman, who produced and plays on the album, and who gives Harris' songs a professional polish without stifling the life within. While the majority of songs take a more straight biographical, I think the strongest and best songs on the album are the ones that capture the art they create more obliquely (such as "Impression, Monet," or "Who Made the Splash?," which raises a bunch of questions I'd definitely encourage kids to ask about David Hockney's iconic painting A Bigger Splash). This may sound like a backhanded compliment, but it's straightforward praise -- this would fit right in at your local art museum's gift shop. Families with young art fans should check it out.
