A mother with dark hair and a plum colored top carrying her son piggy back, and he is delighted.Young boy is about 3 years old and has a black shirt and blue jeans and a shaved head. Presumably a mother and son.

Just in time for Father’s Day on June 15, 2025, this week on The Children’s Hour we celebrate Dad with the EGOT winning artist John Legend whose latest musical release is all about fatherhood, kids, and the love of childhood. Dads play a unique and special role in children’s lives, and we honor them through music and poetry. This one is for the dads.

This time on The Children’s Hour, we’re celebrating Father’s Day with a musical special all about dads and father figures. Through songs, poetry, and rhythm, we hear how fathers love, teach, and support their kids in many different ways.

Robin Wall Kimmerer, leaning against an aspen tree.

Our guest is the legendary John Legend. He joins us to talk about being a parent and how that inspired his Grammy-nominated children’s album, My Favorite Dream. The kids have a lot of questions for him about his work/life balance, his name, and more.

We hear songs from the album, including L-O-V-E, which features his wife and kids singing along. John Legend tells us about his musical childhood, how he stays connected with his children while working, and why creating music for kids has been a dream come true.

This special episode is filled with joyful, heartwarming music that honors dads everywhere.

This episode was written and produced by Katie Stone, with production help from Sarah Gabrielli and Thaniel Lentz. Our show was recorded at Outpost Performance Space by Chad Scheer. 

The Children’s Hour is produced by The Children’s Hour Inc., a non-profit supported by listeners like you. Our theme music was written by C.K. Barlow, and we are distributed by Native Voice One, the Native American Radio Network.

© 2025 The Children’s Hour Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Please note: not all songs we play can be found in Spotify.

Playlist: For Dad

titleartistalbum
You Can Do (Whatever)!Yusuf / Cat StevensThe Laughing Apple
We're a FamilyJohn LegendMy Favorite Dream
Family Tree (feat. Shine of Shine and the Moonbeams)FYUTCHFamily Tree
Color Him FatherKeb' Mo'Big Wide Grin
Park BenchPodington BearEpilogue
Daddy Daughter Day (feat. J Gunn)Pierce FreelonD.A.D
Raccoon Family RobinsonPodington BearThe Box Set
For YouJohn LegendMy Favorite Dream
L-O-V-E (feat. Chrissy, LUNA & Miles)John Legend & Sufjan StevensMy Favorite Dream
Always Come BackJohn LegendMy Favorite Dream
Snuggle PuppyEric StoltzSandra Boynton's Philadelphia Chickens
Father/SonLakota GeorgeFlute Man
I'll Be Seeing YouIam TongiI'll Be Seeing You - Single
Dear Theodosia (Instrumental)Lin-Manuel MirandaThe Hamilton Instrumentals
I Love You DaddyThe Laurie Berkner BandWaiting For the Elevator
Dear Old DadImagination MoversRock-O-Matic
Girl Dad (feat. FYUTCH & AURA V)Divinity Roxx & Divi Roxx KidsWorld Wide Playdate
Positive Energy (feat. Lonnie Park, Doctor Noize, Ricky Kej & Family Music All-Stars)Konshens The MC & The Earth BandFunk the Earth
Happy to Be Going HomeDavid Gibb & Brady Rymer and the Little Band That CouldSongs Across the Pond
Walkin' DaddyGreg BrownCovenant

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