We All Laugh in the Same Language. 2005. 39min. Marla Lewis, CD, $15. [http://www.cdbaby.com].

Gr. 1–3. Marla Lewis delivers diversity. Including the title song, three tunes celebrate cultural differences. And even if the rest of the songs don’t deal directly with the subject, they are varied enough to illustrate diversity in style and content. The selections pay tender tribute to childhood friends, long for spring, and give voice to such strangely appealing characters as a homesick space explorer and a funky muskrat. Lewis keeps things simple yet never resorts to expected clichés or lazy imagery. Her lyrics are smart, imaginative, and accessible. She even manages, against all odds, to bring amusement to a little lecture about running in the halls. A gifted singer, Lewis and accomplished collaborators adeptly handle a variety of musical genres, including pop, Dixieland, rhythm and blues, and jazz. There’s plenty here to delight kids. —Paul Shackman