Peter Himmelman's trampoline has room for many

Peter Himmelman's trampoline has room for many
It's not easy to get into the mind of a kid -- just watch me trying to pry "how was your day" from my eight-year-old---but LA singer-songwriter and father of four Peter Himmelman seems to have this knack on his new kids' music CD, My Trampoline.

Whether he's singing about a child's unabashed love for a pet tortoise or extolling the virtues of lying under a tree, his ability to wrap smart lyrics around pop-rock beats gives my kids and me something to both listen to, and think about, on our drives around town.

Peter's voice reminds me of Elvis Costello in a peppy mood -- more Veronica than Alison. Most of the songs on My Trampoline have a "get up and bounce around" beat that my kids adore, and I love the rich assortment of instruments like trombones, violins and trumpets. Given that Peter has had a long and successful career writing music for grown-ups as well, his children's music has a sophistication from those years of experience.

Very young kids may not understand the spoken-word Statistical Factoids or the four-minute sweeping anthem Ten Billion Blades of Grass, but both will give older kids some food for thought. But, if you have a son named Peter, you may want to warn him that Peter the Pin Head is about the singer and not a written insult to your beloved. -Christina

Get $2 off of Peter Himmelman's My Trampoline at Minivan Productions from now through 10/31 with code coolmom. You'll also find My Trampoline at our affiliate, Amazon.

Congratulations to Michelle M., lucky winner of Peter Himmelman's My Trampoline!

Share this story

Pin

More in Entertainment + MediaView all picks →

Illustration of a vintage podcast microphone with sound waves and a pair of headphones

Spawned, the Cool Mom Picks parenting podcast (2015–2023)

Screen time, teens, working parents and the worst kids' TV: a look back at the guests and topics from our Spawned podcast, 2015 to 2023.

2026 Advent Calendars

Cool Mom Picks Holiday Gift Guide: Best 2026 Advent Calendars for Adults

Adult advent calendars include chocolates, puzzles, Dolly Parton gifts, wine, and grown-up toys.

A Q&A with author Jamie Sumner about her new book Wish You Well

Q&A with middle grade author Jamie Sumner

Jamie Sumner is a best-selling middle grade author who often writes about the disability experience. • Wish You Well follows three kids who feign friendship to scam a wish-granting foundation.