Remember the Cactus Cuties (YouTube)? My sources say that they will be singing at the San Antonio Spurs game soon and on Ellen and The Today Show this summer. The also have their version of the "National Anthem" available now on CDBaby and iTunes - audio only.

I hear they even have a full CD coming soon. Stay tuned, these girls are going places.

Barenaked Ladies doesn't sound much like a group of singers for children, does it? And the band really isn't typically geared to kiddie rock. But after nearly 20 years together, they are now dads as much as rockers. Their website says that the group is now outnumbered 2:1 by their children. This and other things has convinced the band to create Snack Time.

Snack Time is their first CD designed especially to be kid-friendly. The album releases this week - May 6, 2008. I don't have a copy of the CD - yet, but from the previews and what I know of the group I intend to hunt it down as soon as it is available for purchase or download. Amazon has a video available of the song "7, 8, 9" (Seven Ate Nine) to preview.

In my opinion the group shares many traits with They Might Be Giants and I expect this album will be similar to Here Come The ABCs.

I'm looking forward this hearing this CD in its entirety. More info to come...

Charity Kahn of 'Charity and the JAMband' is a fascinating person in my book. We often hear of the brain-link between music and mathematics but it's not often that we find someone who is an expert in the combination of the two fields. She's also a mom and a preschool teacher who has watched the brain development in children from a very special perspective. I really enjoy her thoughts on the subject.

In the news recently have been some questionable photos from Miley Cyrus. First, there were some borderline (to most people) candids showing her draped across a boy's lap and flashing her green bra. They were not terribly indecent but a bit provocative for a 15 year old. I personally wasn't convinced that these photos were actually her, but as she has publicly apologized for them... No, I'm not linking to these - intentionally - they are easy to find. My purpose is just to discuss.

Then this week there were shots online (Vanity Fair) from a shoot by Annie Leibovitz (wikipedia). Now, Annie Leibovitz is very talented but many of her portraits are both amazingly composed and calculatedly shocking. I doubt that anyone would really expect less from her. The resulting photos of Miley are arguably rather mature. The photo of Miley and Billy Ray together is, to many, a bit sexual for a father and daughter.

From there the you-know-what hit the proverbial fan. Miley and company say she was mislead. Disney has issued a statement echoing her version. The Leibovitz camp tells a different story, that Miley's parents or handlers were present at all times and approved all photos. My personal thought is that perhaps the photos were cropped after approval in a way that made them more striking.

I don't think there is a right or wrong answer. I am just curious about parents' opinions on the topic. Do you think that Miley should be more sheltered/protected than she already is? Should she just stop trying to be a 'normal' kid and be forced to live in a total bubble? Do you think she was 'tricked' over the Liebovitz photos?

I just watched the video of "Not On The Test" by Tom Chapin. This was the first time I had experienced the song but it touched me very deeply on many levels. I'm a former teacher so I feel for the teachers who have to deal with the tests and government. As a parent, I worry for the children who are missing out on so many aspects of a complete education. And as a musician, I believe that it's just plain criminal to deny a child art and music.

I adore Tom Chapin anyway. He's an old-school folk singer, a true throwback in many ways to the political activists of the 60s. And this is the perfect way for him to take a stand on something that so many of us would like to see changed.

NotOnTheTest.com has more details on how to get your voice heard on this topic.

Putumayo hits the mark with another in the Dreamland series this week. African Dreamland spotlights sleepy-time songs from African cultures and musicians. Putumayo World Music is the expert at this type of collection. They also provide educational material for teachers to accompany nearly every CD. And they even give a cut of their profits to worthwhile charities.

Other albums in the Dreamland series are:

• Dreamland
• Celtic Dreamland
• Asian Dreamland

Megan at World Music has an excellent list of the Best World Music Albums for Children. From Ladysmith Black Mambazo to Buckwheat Zydeco to reggae, her list spans quite a selection.

I was totally blown away at the talent of this six-year-old. She recently sang as part of a regionally competing barbershop quartet and put many adults to shame. She appears to be a small bundle of explosive talent and personality. I found out that her parents and many other family members are long-standing and high-ranking members of both the male and female barbershop communities. She's apparently been practicing to perform since birth, but I'm fairly positive that she is the youngest ever competing member in the Sweet Adelines organization.

Disclaimer: Yes, I'm a former barbershopper, but I don't know her or anyone connected to her. I do, however, wish I had one tenth of her talent.

(Off-site video) The Paper Dolls

"The Naked Brothers Band" - the Nickelodeon series - is in it's second season. The Naked Brothers Band - the brothers - have been singing together for much longer. This is their second album and will thrill most tweens. It's just rock enough that the kids can feel a bit rebellious, but just mild enough that parents won't really mind it.

Nat and Alex Wolff, currently 13 and 10 respectively, are genetically suited for this line of work. Their dad is Michael Wolff, a successful jazz musician, and their mom is actress/director Polly Draper, best known from the series "thirtysomething." Polly created the series around the talents of her boys. The guys have quite a knack for comedy. But even better, they are true musicians who write most of their own music and perform very well for their respective ages.

I would love to see some discussion on the following topics. Use the comment section below or visit our forums.

• Do you think that Miley Cyrus has been over-marketed? Where should the line be drawn?
• How can Miley be saved from the fate of Britney/Lindsay?
• Can you think of others with near Miley's level of popularity that turned out as 'normal' adults? What do you see as the secret of their normalcy?