Kids "Be Nice"

Ex-Del Fuego Dan Zanes shines with his jangly version of songsmith Harry Woods' classic "Side By Side." Jimmy Buffett infuses "An Attitude of Gratitude" with his trademark laid-back Margaritaville style. Everyone's favorite singing dinosaur, Barney, contributes his theme song, "I Love You." And who doesn't love the Academy Award®-nominated "You've Got a Friend in Me" from Toy Story?

Tony Bennett's version of Johnny Mercer & Harold Arlen's "Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive" isn't just for kids, but kids dig it. The single version of Keb' Mo's "Let Your Light Shine" (originally from the album Keep It Simple) is an uplifting, gospel-inflected tune. And Rosenshontz's "Share It!" carries a message for all ages, though their delivery is clearly intended for the younger set.

The once-again-hip Pete Seeger's "Be Kind to Your Parents" contains the terrifying insight that a kid someday may "be a parent too." Yikes! Daddy a Go Go's "Do the Chores" recognizes that while kids don't want to work, they have to…"like momma said." Way to pawn off the bad-cop thing onto the spouse. Raffi's "The Sharing Song" includes tots singing on the chorus, so he's…sharing the vocals! Thanks, Raffi.

Ah, where's Warren Zevon when you need him? One of the things he hoped for in his "Don't Let Us Get Sick" was that we "play nice." There's the Golden Rule boiled down to two words. Other potential lessons from songs? Be grateful for what you've got. Clean up after yourself. Do your chores. Help your neighbor if he's having trouble. Laugh and be happy. Many hands make light work. Play fair. Say "thank you." Share stuff. Wash your hands. It's a tall order, getting kids — and by this we mean everyone — to behave. But these songs lay out some worthwhile guideposts. It never hurts to reinforce a good message.