This recording is all-original music by Justin Roberts, featuring his unique blend of modern folk, rock, and pop. Instrument heard throughout the CD include the acoustic and electric guitar, bass, piano, keyboard, synthesizer, drums, trumpet, mandolin, toy piano, saxophone, trombone, and organ.

Roberts' songs draw listeners in with creative stories to evoke imagination, as well as concerns and topics relevant to children. His creativity is seen in full force in Henrietta's Hair, a song about a young girl with very long hair that all sorts of critters decide to nest in; "There were creepy crawly things, some birds with colored wings, it was not an invitation-only kind of affair in Henrietta's Hair." The song has a bluegrass feel with the addition of a mandolin and hand clapping throughout the verses. From Scratch is a folk-sounding ballad with a touch of humor in a cleverly placed pause in the first line, "My grandma is old - fashioned." Pop Fly includes Roberts' signature humor, as he sings from the perspective of a kid excited to be playing outfield, but who is too easily distracted by dandelions, squirrels, bumble bees, and his own imagination. She sits describes what may be a common child's perspective of the babysitter ("She is so convenient, She's like Mom but lenient."), emphasized by the organ. Stay-At-Home Dad is an idea quite relevant to children today, and the song is presented through fun digital sounds that are made with the synthesizer; "The way he folds up the laundry, its a little naive, But this man can play a rock and roll guitar like you wouldn't believe."

The familiar circumstances in the songs make excellent conversation starters for you and your child. Perhaps they are in preschool now and can relate to Big Field Trip or Giant-Sized Butterflies, which describes the feelings on the way to school for the first time. Giant-Sized Butterflies, however, doesn't specify that it's for school until very late in the song, so you can apply it to whatever situation is most applicable for your child. Is your little one learning to swim? If so, they will understand the fun described in Beach Boy-esque Kickboard, Baby, Yeah, a repeating chorus that is often just the title of the song, or simple sounds, that make singing along easy and fun. There are "ooo"s, "aaaaah"s, "woah, woah"s, and even "p-p-p-p pop!"

My four-year-old niece, Emily, is a Justin Robert's fan, so she was very excited to hear this CD for the first time. The Backyard Super Kid was immediately her favorite. She has probably listened to it more than a hundred times since then and has the lyrics memorized, so she has taken it a step further and now dons a "cape" (her blanket wrapped around her shoulders) and belts out the lyrics at the top of her lungs while sashaying and spinning around.

--Audra

Roberts' music has won multiple awards and recognitions. "Not Naptime" made the list for Parents Choice 25 Best Children's CD of the Past 25 Years. His CDs have also won multiple Parents' Choice Gold Awards; "Meltdown!" in 2006, "Way Out" in 2004, "Not Naptime" in 2003, and Yellow Bus" in 2001. Sesame Street Parents Magazine also named Robert's first CD, "Yellow Bus" its "Best Music Gift of the Year."

Roberts began his career while working a second job as a Montessori preschool teacher. He started writing songs for his students and was inspired to record some of his songs, which he gave to friends and family for Christmas gifts. One of the recipients was a music producer and suggested that Roberts record the song professionally; his first CD was the result.

Roberts started travelling on the road full time in 2001, and is now a leading presence in the indie music family scene. He travels all year performing live concerts with his bandmates, called "The Not Ready for Naptime Players." Roberts has played at renowned venues like NYC's Symphony Space, CD's national Geographic Live, LA's Getty Museum, Seattle's Moore Theater, Lollapalooza, and Chicago's Ravinia. Roberts has also performed on The Today Show.