So catchy, a child could sing along

Songs From the Neighborhood:

The Music of Mister Rogers

Memory Lane Syndication Inc.

CD with a “making of”

bonus DVD: $18.98

Ages 3 and up; (800) 886-0551

www.songsfromtheneighborhood.com

Music was central to the work of children’s TV icon Fred Rogers -- he had a degree in music composition, and the longtime musical director on his show was respected jazz pianist John Costa. Here, such singers as Amy Grant, CeCe Winans, Crystal Gayle, Donna Summer, Maureen McGovern, Ricky Skaggs and Roberta Flack celebrate Rogers’ gentle spirit with their interpretive spins on such child-affirming Rogers’ classics as “It’s a Good Feeling,” “It’s You I Like” and the show’s theme song, “It’s a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood.”

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SpongeBob SquarePants,

The Yellow Album

Nick Records/Sony BMG

Strategic Marketing Group

CD: $13.98; Ages 5 and up

www.nick.com

It’s no “White Album,” but fans of the inventive series starring a little yellow sponge and his pals should get a kick out of this off-the-wall mix of pop and rock tunes from the show. Some titles: “Ripped Pants,” “Bossy Boots Song,” “Jelly Fish Jam.” A bonus extra features a couple of music videos, including “Squidward’s Clarinet.” (If you have to ask, you probably aren’t the target audience.)

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Turn Up the Music!

Sandman Records

CD: $9.98; Ages 4 to 9

www.sandmanrecords.net

Singer-songwriter Lanny Sherwin takes a smart and mellow approach in his notably ear-pleasing, reassuring message songs for kids, from “The Monster Masher” (“a bad dream trasher”) to “Talk It Out” and “The Rule” (“everyone is cool”).

-- Lynne Heffley