Like many music collectors, I take pride in my vinyl acquisitions. The children’s category of albums stands out among the various genres on my shelves and the top ten records below hold a special place for me because they shaped me into who I am today.
1. Goldilocks and the Three Bears (Tinkerbell, 1973)
It may seem odd that this is first on my list, and I feel that a backstory is in order.
As a young kid of six, I wandered into the local record store and marvelled at the colourful album covers in the children’s section. Impulsively, I grabbed a couple of LPs and tried to walk out without paying (what did I know — I was just a kid!). But my mother caught me at the door, returned the albums to the rack, and we went out to the car. Soon, I began crying.
After that embarrassing scene, my mother reluctantly took me back to the store and told me I could pick only one record — and there were a lot to choose from.
All of a sudden, I came across this album. Not only did the artwork of the five featured stories capture my attention, but the blue tones also suffused my gaze. At home with my new record, I was amazed by the simple label design and all the musical stories and vocals. The album became an instant favourite.
2. Pinocchio (Peter Pan, 1971)
I have shared this album in an earlier article for Toy Tales — it was the one that forever changed my life as a budding artist. Sometime before obtaining Goldilocks, I walked along the mall and passed by the record store, stopping to peer through the glass door. And there I saw the Pinocchio album on the rack. The cover artwork was breathtaking. It became my definitive rendering of what I already considered my all-time favourite fairy tale.
It would be a couple of years before I got the album for Christmas, along with a portable record player. The album introduced me to the concept of an “original musical version” (as was printed on the back cover). After a while, I memorized the story so much that I began acting it out with my friends next door. So, not only did the album inspire me as a commercial artist, but it also made me want to become an actor.
3. Multiplication Rock (Capitol, 1973)
My younger brother received this album at the same time I received Pinocchio, but I played it more than he did. At that time, Schoolhouse Rock was in its third television season on Saturday mornings; unfortunately, I could not grasp the concepts of the day. The episodes lasted for three minutes at best and math was one of my weak spots.
With the album, I could play it as often as possible, and it helped me understand the multiplication structures much better. The songs were indeed catchy and still enjoyable to this day.
My favourite songs on it are Elementary My Dear (2’s), Ready or Not Here I Come (5’s), My Hero Zero, I Got Six, Figure Eight (the last line is hauntingly beautiful), Naughty Number Nine, and Little Twelvetoes.
4. The Sesame Street Book and Record (Columbia, 1970)
This album package was one of those “late to the party” records I received as a child, long after I had moved on from the television show and was into stuff like The Electric Company and The Muppet Show. The now-classic songs were as catchy as those in Multiplication Rock, and it was here that I found a new batch of favourites — among them AB-C-DEF-GHI (where Big Bird discovers the alphabet and thinks it’s a long word), Being Green, One of These Things, J-Jump, I Love Trash, and Rubber Duckie.
5. Peter and the Wolf (Disneyland, 1968)
I was introduced to this 7” LP read-along in kindergarten. It introduced me to the story, Sergei Prokofiev’s music score, and the narration of Disneyland Story Reader, Robie Lester. A bit of trivia: this was the only title in the series that did not contain Tinker Bell’s “turn the page” chimes.
6. Puff the Magic Dragon (Peter Pan, circa 1972)
This album had at least five issues (the first from 1969)! Pictured here is the third: a composite of the title track from one album and the rest from Children’s Treasury of Musical Stories, both from Peter Pan’s Rocking Horse line. The songs are enjoyable on all counts, though there’s a bit of a lull with The Mean Old Grizzly Bear (recorded initially as a single). Nevertheless, I still enjoy playing this album, whether working on a creative project or watching the record spin on the turntable. Favourite songs from it include Lenny the Leopard, Chip the Chimpanzee, Tippy the Tiger, Hippi and Lippi, The Grumpy Old Crocodile and, of course, the title track.
7. Children’s Treasury of Batman Musical Stories (Peter Pan, 1967)
I have previously mentioned this album and do so again now because I’ve cherished and played it repeatedly since my first encounter. If you’re wondering why I’m listing it as 1967 instead of 1966, as indicated on the cover, Peter Pan initially released it in 1966 under its Tifton brand, then reissued it on its parent label the following year.
8. Songs about Health, Safety, Friendship, Manners (Wonderland Golden, 1973)
Recorded and released in the early 1960s under Golden Records, this LP resurfaced in 1973 with new cover art, which I appreciate. While some may consider the songs to be cheesy, they’re still fun and informative. As a kid I took most of them to heart, particularly the “friendship” songs.
9. Pac-Man Fever (Columbia, 1982) / Mickey Mouse Disco (Disneyland, 1979) (tie)
You might see my including a tie as a bit of a cheat, but there’s a reason for it. When these two albums first came out, I didn’t pay much attention to them, as my heart leaned closer to the “kid-friendly” style of music from earlier times. Then, for some reason, I picked up both titles in 2021 and played them for the first time. The phrase “Where have I been all this time?” echoed through my brain repeatedly and I have replayed them several times since. Do the Donkey Kong, and watch out for Goofy!
10. The Candy Man (Peter Pan 45 EP, 1973)
During the late 1970s, Peter Pan revamped its 45-EP line, introducing fresh graphics, new cover art, and updated catalogue numbers. As a result, the picture shown here became obsolete, and my soul experienced a crushing disappointment.
Cut to the summer of 1981. While taking a break from my summer job at a local library, I visited the nearest drugstore to look at some of the latest magazines and comic books. This specific record sat sealed on a shelf, with the George Peed illustration on the cover and the complete list of other records in the line on the back. I immediately bought it and played it when I got home. It had been years since I’d heard this song, but it was as if I’d made a new friend upon hearing this version. It was this exceptional record that inspired me to begin my collection.
There you have it — my favourite top ten (okay, eleven!) records that made me the creative and happiest person I am today. I thank you for retaking the journey with me. And now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m about to make that trip once again! If you wish, you can join me and experience the joy of the music and colourful artwork.
