Shake, Rattle and Roll

Some children’s music is for quiet moments and sleepy times, and some, like these tuneful releases, invite active listening and participation.

Mother Goose Sing-Along. Walt Disney Records. 20 minutes. $10.98. The Disney juggernaut serves up this collection of new and newish versions of familiar nursery rhymes with rare simplicity and charm. Mickey, Minnie and Goofy banter between songs that are notable for top-quality, mellow vocals and musical arrangements (unfortunately uncredited). Highlights include Phil Baron’s “Wiggle Your Toes (This Little Piggy),” a jazzy “Pat-A-Cake” and gentle, creative medleys. The accompanying songbook is delightfully illustrated in classic Disney style.

Friends Like You and Me. Lyle Cogen. Malzac Music. 25 minutes. CD: $15; cassette: $10. Borders Books or (888) 386-7664, (800) 985-8894. The hearty warmth in singer Lyle Cogen’s full-bodied voice gives these gentle tunes special preschooler appeal. Cogen invites listeners to go along on her musical ride with bouncy swing, jazz and pop rhythms in such songs as “Nursery Rhyme Uh-Oh,” “Floppy Socks,” “Animal Ride” (with clues to animal identities) and “Move It to the Beat,” a bouncy medley of play songs.

Dance, Dance, Dance Across America. Building Block Records. CD: $14.95; cassette: $9.95, plus $4 for shipping and handling. (818) 787-8500. Mark Beckwith, singer-songwriter for the “Jump-Start” CD-ROM series, is familiar to many Southlanders with young children from his local concert stops. This mixed bag of original tunes and arrangements of traditional songs ranges from simply pleasant to delightful. Highlights include Beckwith’s “Our Dixieland Marching Band,” an irresistible intro to instruments; his ‘60s-rock-style “Barnyard Twist”; and “Hokey Pokey,” beautifully done in a soft jazz version with terrific harmonies.

Canta Conmigo (Sing With Me). Ulloa Productions. Juanita Newland-Ulloa. 48 minutes. CD: $17; cassette: $12. Silo Music: (800) 342-0295; Nin~os catalog: (800) 634-3304. Beautifully and clearly performed by bilingual singer-composer Juanita Newland-Ulloa and her Picante Ensemble, this well-chosen, catchy collection of Latin American family songs is a great way to introduce kids to Spanish. Here are songs about counting, animals, greetings, musical instruments and rolling Rs, plus traditional songs such as “Cielito Lindo” and “Paloma Blanca,” a lullaby, and a spoken-word telling of a colorful Aztec legend (in English) about Mexico City’s mountains.

While some lyrics are repeated in English, most are performed in Spanish, with translations to be found in the liner notes.