Figaro, Figaro

Young readers/listeners have a front row seat (and a backstage pass) for the Royal Opera House, the Metropolitan Opera House and other famous venues with The Young Person's Guide to the Opera by Anita Ganeri and Nicola Barber. This extensive picture book, filled with photos, illustrations and intriguing trivia is packaged with a CD containing excerpts from The Magic Flute, The Barber of Seville and Madama Butterfly, among others. The project was produced in association with the Royal Opera House and the San Diego Opera. (Harcourt, hardcover book-and-CD, $25 64p ISBN 0-15-216498-7, ages 8-up, Oct.)

Singing for Their Supper

Larry Boy the cucumber, Bob the tomato and all the vitamin-packed gang are ready for fun in VeggieTales Ultimate Silly Song Countdown, a greatest-hits medley compiled from the VeggieTales video collection and the latest in the product line that promotes "Sunday morning values, Saturday morning fun." The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything host this wacky outing that includes "The Yodeling Veterinarian of the Alps," "High Silk Hat," The Dance of the Cucumber" and a new, original number, "The Moo Shoo Song." (Big Idea Productions, VHS/DVD 30 mins., $12.95/$14.99, ages 2-up, Sept.) Also available from Big Idea is Silly Songs with Larry, an album containing "every Silly Song ever written" from the VeggieTales videos, plus a few bonus tracks like "Silly Songs Remix" and "The Puppy Song." (cassette $6.98, CD $10.98, all ages, Sept.)

Holiday Fare

All is bright when it comes to the digitally remastered and repackaged edition of 'Tis the Season: Holiday Songs for the Child in All of Us from performer and producer Fred Koch. Koch uses his warm and peppy vocals to good effect on these 15 songs that span the holiday season, including "Up on the Housetop," "Hanukkah Medley" and "Feliz Navidad." Instrumental tracks round out the proceedings. Sturdy musicianship and accompaniment from a children's chorus add to the fun. (Melody House Music, 800-234-9228, CD $14.98, all ages, Oct.)

Newly released on CD are Jewish Traditions: Chanukah, Holidays and Heritage and A Christmas Album: Yuletide Favorites, two titles in Janice Buckner's Learn Along Songs series. Both recordings feature Bruckner's bright, clear vocals and singing by children, as well as instrumental tracks. (Moonlight Rose Publications, 631-421-2231, cassette $10, CD $15, all ages, Sept.)

Families who like their Christmas music with a beat will enjoy A Sugar Beats Christmas: Cool Christmas Songs for Kids by the Sugar Beats. Among the rockin' tracks performed by Andrew Gold (Thank You for Being a Friend), Johnny Kemp (Just Got Paid), Jesse McCartney (boy band Dream Street), head Sugar Beat Sherri Goffin Kondor and a cast of child vocalists are "Little Saint Nick," "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town" and "Chipmunks Christmas." (Sugar Beats Entertainment, 800-232-8721, cassette $9.98, CD $12.98, all ages, Sept.)