Babble has talked to a lot of musician-parents in the last two years — everyone from Andrew 3000 to Perry Farrell to They Might Be Giants. We've also adoringly followed the Mates of State blog on Babble. (If they can be good parents with a frantic schedule and two young children in a tour bus, surely there's hope for the rest of us.) We've also found ourselves spending obscene amounts of time on YouTube, and sharing its joys with our kids. In an audio-visual mood this month, we decided to bring you our first ever music and video special issue. And we're so glad we did, because without it we may never have learned how the "David After Dentist" kid is recovering, how Dan Zanes got into immigration reform, or what Tori Amos meant when she told our writer, "I know I'm alive and I'm a woman and I have my high heels on. Let's go!" Yes, let's! — The Babble Editors
TABLE OF CONTENTS YouTube's Child Stars
By Mina Hochberg
How the "David After Dentist," "Mommy, I Don't Like You" and "Charlie Bit My Finger" families are handling their viral-video fame.
5-Minute Time Out: Dan ZanesBy Nerissa Nields
The kiddie folk superstar is getting into gospel — and immigration politics.
5-Minute Time Out: Robbert BobbertBy Tammy La Gorce
Frontman Robert Schneider on his first kids' record, sixteen years in the making.
Tori AmosBy Amy Reiter
"Motherhood was a huge healer for me."
5-Minute Time Out: Neil SedakaBy Jeanne Sager
With a new kids album, the '60s crooner has a song for every generation.
Parental Advisory: The Family iPodBy Rebecca Odes & Ceridwen Morris
Our kid loves punk rock just like we do. Is there anything wrong with that ?
Our Childless Interns Review Your Kid's MusicBy Lindsay Armstrong, Emily Frost and Andrea Zimmerman
New CD reviews by the Babble interns.
Children's Television WorkaroundBy Dan Oko
Our kid's TV-free, as long as online video doesn't count.
5-Minute Time Out: Stephin MerrittBy Gwynne Watkins
Indie rock?s curmudgeon has written a children?s musical - but don't tell him that.
The Babble List: The 50 Best YouTube Kid VidsBy Babble Editors.
The cream of the crop, for your LOL-ing pleasure.
Band On The Diaper RunBy Mates of State
Touring the world, kids in tow.
FROM OUR ARCHIVES MUSIC INTERVIEWS Andre 3000By Gwynne Watkins
The hip-hop superstar finds eternal youth through cartoons.
Barenaked LadiesBy April Peveteaux
Frontman Ed Robertson on the band's catchy kids' record, Snacktime.
Steve BurnsBy Patricia Chang
The former Blue's Clues star (and unlikely sex symbol) on his new indie rock career.
Kimya DawsonBy Caitlin MacRae
The singer on her passions: attachment parenting and poop songs.
Perry FarrellBy Aaron Burgess
The rock icon and dad on his newest baby: Kidzapalooza.
Kay HanleyBy Vivian Manning-Schaffel
The Letters to Cleo lead singer now rocks the Care Bears.
HansonBy Sarah Hepola
The "MmmBop" boy band now has four kids -- and some advice for Lindsay.
Terrence HowardBy Tammy La Gorce
Why the actor-turned-singer won't let his kids listen to hip-hop.
Wyclef JeanBy Tammy La Gorce
The singer on his Haitian childhood and suburban dadhood.
Ben KwellerBy Sarah Hepola
On bolting a bassinet to the floor of his tour bus.
Lisa LoebBy Jennifer V. Hughes
The singer goes to camp with her new kid's album.
Colin MeloyBy Sarah Hepola
The Decemberists' frontman talks about the violence of childbirth.
Rhett MillerBy Ada Calhoun
On his anti-guitar son, cool in-laws and, uh, laid-back parenting.
Mark MothersbaughBy Gwynne Watkins
The Devo founder on his Yo Gabba Gabba gig.
Putumayo KidsBy Jennifer Hughes
The director of the global music label recommends songs about monkeys.
Gavin RossdaleBy Tammy La Gorce
The chart-topping dad on life with Gwen, Kingston and Zuma.
John LinnellBy Gwynne Watkins
They Might Be Giants on babies, bad shows and Brooklyn.
David WeinstoneBy Gwynne Watkins
Music for Aardvarks's founder on his controversial bagel song.
Wendy Wilson of Wilson PhillipsBy Ada Calhoun
On Supernanny, breastfeeding and her Beach Boy father.
Peter YarrowBy Jennifer V. Hughes
Puff the Magic Dragon is back -- with a happier ending!
FUN MUSIC AND VIDEO EXTRAS Confessions of a YouTube AddictBy Sam Apple
My son's entire first year is online.
Babble Best: Musical InstrumentsBy Nicole Feliciano
Five instruments to rock your kid's world.
Babies For ObamaBy Shaun Boyle
Politics Schmolitics: Which candidate's name is more fun to say?
Sandra BoyntonBy Gwynne Watkins
The beloved children's author on hippos and Monkees.
The Wiggles Industrial ComplexBy Greg Allen
From band to brand, these Australians mean business.
Mr. B., Chorus TeacherBy Gwynne Watkins
The YouTube phenom on teaching kids to sing Tori Amos.
Revolution Girl Style NowBy Ada Calhoun
The Willie Mae Rock Camp for Girls turns the volume up to eleven.