Listen to your childhood

Canadian jazz vocalist Diana Panton has lent her considerable talent to interpreting classic children’s songs — and other surprises — on her first children’s album, “I Believe in Little Things.” Dropping on March 18, this CD is a must-have gift for cranky babies and their jangled-nerve moms, teens studying French (who will be dazzled by “In A World of My Own” from the film “Alice in Wonderland,” sung in that Romantic tongue and English), and everyone else! Panton’s soft, sweet, soothing voice makes “Pure Imagination” — from the classic film “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” — a pure joy!

I always tear up when I hear Kermit the Frog sing “The Rainbow Connection,” but I have a new appreciation for the heart-tugging tune now that I’ve enjoyed Panton’s version. (For a sample of her soft, sweet sound, check out the precious animated video for the title song, composed by Joe Raposo, at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUJOTVL5zJU.)

In many ways, Panton’s CD is like an audible walk down Memory Lane, reminding us of our favorite songs — and moments — from childhood, and it reminds my 9-year-old son “of the kind of soft music they play in cafes.”

“I Believe in Little Things CD” by Diana Panton, $15.99, www.amazon.com,