Blah Blah Blah: Stories About Clams, Swamp Monsters, Pirates & Dogs by Bill Harley (CD, Dec-2005, Empyrean Records)

I first "met" Bill Harley by borrowing a random CD from our public library for my kids. And we've loved his work ever since.

My school aged kids are captivated by his stories and sing along with his songs. The adults in the cars chuckle occasionally and related to our days as a kid. And even my preschoolers stop making noise long enough to listen to the entire CD.

And best of all for me- it keeps the peace while we're driving in the car because they're so busy listening that they forget to argue. Even at home, they'll sit on the couch and listen to his CD rather than clamor to watch TV, and if a CD can do that, you know it's good.

The personal favorite here with the kids is the "swamp monster" followed closely by the "mad scientist" one. If you haven't checked them our you really should- any kid 6th grade and under should love these in a laugh out loud way and the older kids will be entertained if not trying to appear bored.