GREAT KIDS' CDS WILL HELP KEEP THE PEACE.

Byline: Glenn Whipp Staff Writer

There really isn't much you can do when the kids are fighting in the back seat, but distractions are always worth a shot. Here area few CDs that might make summer road trips a little more bearable.

Dan Zanes / Catch That Train! (Festival Five)

One-time Del Fuegos frontman Zanes has become the Johnny Appleseed of what he calls ``age-desegregated'' music. His latest follows the template of previous efforts, with Zanes recording in his basement with guest appearances from friends like Nick Cave, Natalie Merchant, the Kronos Quartet and the Blind Boys of Alabama. Musically, Zanes remains committed to playing a diverse range of styles in a folksy vein, so even if he's on the Disney Channel now, fear not -- he's as eclectic as ever.

Highlight tracks: Barbara Brousal's lovely Spanish singing in ``Mexican Ole,'' the Blind Boys doing their thing on ``Welcome Table,'' a loopy version of Rufus Thomas' ``Walkin' the Dog.''

Best for: All ages.

Various artists / Reggae Playground (Putumayo)

Putumayo's latest offering hopscotches from the Caribbean to Europe, Africa, the Americas and the South Pacific in a diverse offering of reggae music that never condescends. There are some Jamaican versions of familiar pop songs, but this is predominantly a global program, performed with infectious energy.

Highlight tracks: Toots' ``Country Roads,'' Eric Bibb's (son of folkie Leon Bibb) thoughtful ``Turning World,'' the beautiful Creole singing of Jessica on ``Ying Yang''

Best for: All ages

Johnny Cash / The Johnny Cash Children's Album (Columbia Legacy)

Cash's son, John Carter Cash, writes in the liner notes that behind the Man in Black mythology, his dad was really just a big kid. This album, released in 1975 and newly reissued with four bonus tracks, proves that Cash could spin some great story songs for kids. There are songs about dogs and dinosaurs, bear hunting and magic glasses.

Cash is playful, but not silly. He just wanted to make kids smile.

Highlight tracks: Duet with June Carter Cash on ``I Got a Boy and His Name Is John.'' Best for: All ages

Debi Derryberry / What a Way to Play! (4River)

Your kids know Toluca Lake's Derryberry as the voice of Jimmy Neutron. Here, she uses her childlike voice to run through a set of originals and familiar tunes like ``The Wheels on the Bus'' and ``Itsy Bitsy Spider.'' There's a bit of everything in here7/8 country, jazz, blues and boogie-woogie. You can hear her sing these songs Aug. 5 at the Borders in Valencia.

Highlight track: The double-time ``ABC Song'' is impossible to resist.

Best for: As Nacho Libre would put it, ``leeeetle ones'' who need to release their wiggles.

Glenn Whipp, [phone].

glenn.whipp(at)dailynews.com

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