Beyond Sharon, Lois and Bram

Looking for classic kids’ entertainment? Parenting Times Magazine rounds up 10 artists you should check out

Raffi © Troubadour Music

For kids and parents, singable songs offer fun and learning,” Raffi tells Parenting Times Magazine. “A daily source of joy, music can enhance kids’ social and emotional lives—vital for emotional intelligence in the early years.”

Sound advice, considering the Canadian entertainer, producer and ecology advocate—whose career spans more than four decades— is one of the most recognized and respected children’s entertainers in the world.

Best known for songs like “Baby Beluga,” Raffi is now on his second generation of young audiences, as the children who grew up with the iconic songs have now passed them on to their children.

His latest accomplishments include producing albums with Lindsay Munroe in 2020, 2021 and 2022. Raffi’s latest album, “Penny Penguin” features collaboration with JUNO Award-winning pop/folk group Good Lovelies. The founder of the Raffi Foundation for Child Honouring, Raffi will be performing in Ontario and British Columbia from September to December.

Raffi is only one of many children’s entertainers who have put Canada on the map. Read on for more.

 

Sharon, Lois and Bram

Sharon Lois and Bram. Submitted Photo

Called the “the best thing since peanut butter” in the Toronto Star, Sharon, Lois and Bram are known as Canadian treasures. For over 40 years, they’ve entertained children and families with their music and songs, such as “Skinnamarink”—which also became a bestselling book and a TV series.

 

Norman Foote  

Lucky parents and children in several British Columbia and Alberta cities will be able to see Norman Foote perform live over the next few months. This fun-loving performer has kept his name alive with his unique style of music, which includes pop, jazz and folk.

A music lover from an early age, Foote was known for belting out “Swanee” in kindergarten, note for note. He won a JUNO Award in 2010 for his 2008 album, ‘Love My New Shirt.” Foote’s love of songwriting, storytelling, and comedy has taken him around the world.

 

Jack Grunsky

Jack Grunsky photo © Hertha Grunsky

Grunsky grew up in Toronto but then returned to his native Austria to pursue a career in music, where he found success, and eventually won four JUNO Awards for Best Children’s Recording. Also a painter, Grunsky toured extensively in Canada and the U.S. His last album was “Hoppin’ Socks” released in 2011.

 

Jake Chenier

Jake Chenier Photo credit Sandcastle Music

Adventures in Mexico, Guatemala, Belize and Thailand inspired Jake Chenier’s “Walking in the Sun” album. With its infectious mix of calypso, reggae and Cajun, the album provided great sing-along tunes for the whole family. Chenier has performed in over 600 schools and festivals across Canada and the United States. His song “Buzz, Buzzity Buzz” won the grand prize in the John Lennon International Songwriting Contest.

 

Al Simmons

You know you’ve made it when a restaurant in your hometown names a hot dog after you. With more than 55 years of entertaining children and their parents, Al Simmons won a JUNO and has been the recipient of the Winnipeg Symphony’s Golden Baton for artistic achievement. A member of the Order of Manitoba, Simmons’ one-hour CTV show “All for Fun” ran for 36 episodes.

 

Charlotte Diamond

Charlotte Diamond has toured extensively throughout Canada and the United States. This much-loved entertainer has garnered several awards from parent groups. Her Hug Bug Band produced the album “10 Carrot Diamond” that won a JUNO Award in 1986. In 2018, Diamond was invested as a member of the Order of Canada for her contributions to children’s entertainment.

 

Suzanne Pinel

Suzanne Pinel © Ontario Ministry of Citizenship & Immigration

Most people will remember University of Ottawa alumna and honorary doctorate recipient (2002) Suzanne Pinel as the Ambassador of French-Canadian culture from the children’s show “Marie-Soleil.” The bilingual show, which ran for 145 episodes, as well as inspiring 15 acclaimed albums and four videocassettes, stars Pinel as Marie-Soleil, a role for which she wrote more than 400 songs devoted to the richness of Francophone culture. Her favourite song is “Musique de ton coeur,” written for her daughter.

 

Fred Penner

If you were a child of the ‘80s and ‘90s, you may have watched “Fred Penner’s Place.” This iconic show ran on CBC-TV from 1985 to 1997. Deeply moved by his sister’s love of music—she had Down’s Syndrome and died—Penner became a performer. One of his first albums was to comfort mentally and physically challenged children. “The Cat Came Back” featured a well-loved song. His latest album, “Hear the Music,” was released in 2017.

 

Carmen Campagne

Carmen Campagne © 1997 Productions Folle Avoine

Coming from a musical family, Carmen Campagne loved to sing from an early age. The album she recorded with her sister-in-law, Connie Isabelle Kaldor, entitled “Lullaby Berceuse” earned them the JUNO Award in 1989 for Best Children’s Album. During the 1990s, she saw tremendous success with four nominations for Best Children’s Album of the year. She was awarded the Order of Canada in 2014.