Miami has been home to some amazing singers, songwriters, & musicians throughout the years. Children’s musical artist, Joanie Leeds, is a native Miamians who is returning home to her favorite South Florida city on April 3rd to bring songs from her new album, What a Zoo (out April 12th!), among other favorites from her previous releases City Kid and Challah Challah to children and parents at a concert at the Alper JCC.

Building on the momentum of her 2010 Parents’ Choice® Gold Award-winning album, I’m a Rock Star, independent children’s musician Joanie Leeds brings her attention to the animal kingdom with the April 12 release of her new kids’ CD, What a Zoo!

What a Zoo! presents ten rockin’ Joanie Leeds originals and four covers, each with its own distinctive personality that salutes every child’s fascination with our animal friends. The lyrics are thought provoking and packed with educational value. Other songs are just plain fun. What a Zoo! offers a perfect setting for Joanie’s vocal virtuosity. Its sophisticated humor is rooted in real life experiences and guaranteed never to wear thin with the repeated listenings this CD is bound to get.

What a Zoo is a musical menagerie of wonderful songs about the animal world, and I’m glad to have had the opportunity to review it with my two year old son. I’ve listened to a lot of children’s music since having my son (and even during pregnancy) and I have to say that Joanie Leeds makes the top of my list. She has a fantastic, strong, versatile voice that carries well with the variety of instruments in the songs.

Zachary is a tough critic when it comes to music, and he is very straightforward with me about what he likes and what he doesn’t, and I could tell that he really enjoyed Joanie’s CD with its fun lyrics and fast beats. We had a good time dancing around the living room listening to Joanie’s songs about Mosquitoes and Sea Cows, and when my personal favorite song, Hummingbird, came up, it was a great time to plop down on the couch to take a break and share a hug before bouncing around some more.

If you’re in the Miami area and want to see Joanie perform, she’ll be at the Alper JCC at 1pm on April 3rd to celebrate her new CD release. Tickets are only $5!

Unfortunately I already have plans that day but would love to hear about your experience if you go! You can read more about Joanie and her music by visiting her children’s music site!

Disclosure: I received the CD What a Zoo at no cost to me. All opinions are my own. No monetary compensation was received for this article.