Children innately respond to music. Music has the ability to calm, energize, educate and motivate. Plus, it helps kids appreciate one of life's most appealing pleasures. Also included and calm-inducing, a new kids yoga DVD that stars the magnificent eagle.

"Acoustic Dreamland" from Putumayo Kids; $14.98.

The fifth CD in Putumayo's popular Dreamland series, this soothing worldly collection features 11 singer-songwriters who perform unplugged tunes that help kids sleep and adults unwind. The CD includes both classic and contemporary songs, such as "Everything is Going to Be Alright," "Blue Sky" and "My Father's Waltz." Originally sung by James Taylor, Mary Chapin Carpenter and others, these are now performed with grace by folk artists, Parents Choice award winners and even an Appalachian dulcimer master.

Putumayo Kids' musical recordings have won many awards and make fantastic gifts and additions to any family's musical library. In particular, "Acoustic Dreamland" will be an invaluable sleep and relaxation aid.

"Grandkid Rock" from Daddy A Go Go; from Boyd's Tone Records; $11.99.

Stay-at-home dad John Boydston — also known as multi-award-winning children's rock and roll artist Daddy A Go Go — has been "rocking out and raving on" for families since 1998. Boydston's acclaim has been widespread and amazing. The Washington Post even credited him with changing the face of children's music "from playroom tunes into the pop rock era." Boydston's tunes are witty and hearty. They don't play down to kids, but play "up" for entire families, even parents who love rock.

"Grandkid Rock" continues the alterna-rock feel for bigger kids with lots of electric guitars, drums, driving rhythms and power chords. Boydston says he named the CD "Grandkid Rock" by adding a few shout-outs to grandparents and featuring a cool guitar that's slightly aged and worn to the cover. The greatest hits CD includes 16 remixed tunes, such as "Big Rock Rooster," "I Caught my Granddad Watching Cartoons," "I Got My PF Flyers Workin'" and "You're Not the Bossa Nova Me." Pure rockin' genius!

"What a Zoo!" from Joanie Leeds & the Nightlights; from Kidzlovemusic; $15.

The last CD by kids' rocker Leeds was named one of the best kids CDs of 2010, and her soulful, "rock solid" voice is rich and entertaining. "What a Zoo!" presents 10 rock-friendly Joanie Leeds originals and four covers, each focusing on every child's fascination with animals. Though the songs rock and roll with panache, they're also educational and thought provoking. "My Butterfly" explores metamorphosis, "Sea Cow" and "Big Blue Whale" focus on endangered species, "Tofurky" emphasizes responsible eating, but then the lighter-hearted "Happy as a Clam" touches on animal-isms that pop up in our everyday language.

With tons of sophisticated humor and admirable artistic qualities, "What a Zoo!" is fun and danceable. It encourages a larger, animal-friendly message for all ages. Visit www.kidzlovemusic.com for more information.

"Kids Teach Yoga: Flying Eagle" from Yoga Calm and Three Pebble Press; $15.99.

Filmed in HD, this award-winning children's yoga DVD helps kids build strength, flexibility and balance as well as encourage creativity and respect for nature. Inspired by the eagle, the program's child yoga leader, Haley, takes kids on a fun yoga adventure where they learn how to focus and be strong, caring and imaginative. Another student, Rylie, then invokes her Native American heritage's respect for the eagle with song and a relaxing story sequence.

More than just an instructional yoga program for kids, the DVD adds magnificent footage of eagles in the wild and a narrated segment from Steve Engel, an naturalist with the Audubon Society. Focus skill activities from an ADHD expert and an interview with Yoga Calm's founders help round out the DVD's all-encompassing quality.

A smart choice for the home or classroom, "Kids Teach Yoga: Flying Eagle" is a relaxing way to help ages 4 to 11 learn to focus and calm down.

KIDBITS

Other top-notch new children's CDs include the tropical island-themed "Didi Pop Goes to Hawaii," (Treetop Records), bilingual pop rock in "Pinata Party" (Luchadora Records and Moona Luna), Emmy award-winner Jamie Broza's exotic "I Want a Dog!" (Good Mood Records) and award-winner Aaron Nigel Smith's latest, "Let's Pretend" (Music for Little People). All are fantastically fun!

To find out more about Lee Littlewood and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.