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By Ken Tucker

Ken Tucker

Ken Tucker is critic-at-large for EW

From screen to song: albums by a Life Goes On star, the Lion King crew, and a multifaceted musical performer. AGES 1 to 3 LULLABY LAND Linda Arnold (A&M, $9.98 cassette, $15.98 CD) Few singers can hit the crystalline highs and golden low notes that Arnold does on this fine collection of silky sleepy-time songs. She deftly delivers the familiar (''Hush, Little Baby'') and lovely lesser-knowns (John Denver's ''For Baby''), as well as her own sweet tunes. A- -Anne Reeks

AGES 3 to 6 A WONDERFUL LIFE Jessica Harper (Alacazam!, $9.98 cassette, $11.98 CD; 800-541-9904) Harper has written songs for Bette Midler, been a guest with David Letterman, costarred in Woody Allen films, even appeared on Broadway. Now she's got a new gig: a lively, sophisticated pop recording in which she sings with warmth and wit about the tiny joys of parents and children. B+ -AR

WHAT A DAY! Fred Penner (Oak Street Music/The Children's Group, $9.98 cassette, $16.98 CD; 800-727-2233) The ordinary delights of a child's day- backyard exploring, favorite toys-are put into exuberant song by Penner, who can't help sounding like he's dancing when he's singing. A -AR

THE LION KING SING-ALONG (Disney, $10.98 cassette) Five of the overblown pop songs by Elton John and Tim Rice are brought down to intimate size for this shrewd movie soundtrack. Adults will get a kick out of listening to kids sing along with the icy-toned Jeremy Irons on ''Be Prepared.'' Includes a lyrics book. B+ -Ken Tucker

MONSTERS' HOLIDAY Bonnie Phipps (WF Kids, $9.95 cassette; 800-747-2454) High- energy singer Phipps does the monster bit justice with silly, snappy spoofs like ''Monsters on Vacation'' (''It's hard to get a tan when you're furry and green''). On this, her third album, she also serves up an enjoyably eccentric mishmash of songs about odd characters in a variety of styles. B+ -AR

AGES 6 to 9 SINGER WITH THE BAND Chris Burke (Zoom Express/BMG Kidz, $9.98 cassette, $15.98 CD) The star of TV's Life Goes On sings with engaging enthusiasm here, often with the chipper twin-brother duo of Joe and John DeMasi; much of the material doesn't do their spirit justice, however. Their version of the Beatles' ''Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da'' is turned into dandy children's music, but many numbers are mawkish. Proceeds go to the nonprofit group Very Special Artists, for which Burke is spokesman. C+ -KT

Posted Aug 19, 1994 | Order Article Reprints