Mrs H and her Singalong Band – musicians from jazz, hip-hop, and folk backgrounds

WHETHER it was Twinkle Twinkle Little Star or a times-tables CD in the car, everyone remembers the music they listened to as a young child – and our parents will be glad that those repetitive jingles are behind them.

But Islington-based musician Mrs H Sings, otherwise known as Harriette Ashcroft, is calling time on the tedious tunes that caregivers dread and making children’s music that people of all ages can enjoy – from north London to the USA.

Ms Ashcroft said: “It just seemed crazy to us – and insulting to children – that the majority of music out there wasn’t something you’d want to listen to over and over again, as children love to do.”

Nearly 20 years after starting out in Exmouth Market, Mrs H and her Singalong Band have taken their music to America, where they recently won gold in the children’s category of the John Lennon Song­writing Competition.

The winning melody, Throw A Ball, takes listeners on an increasingly fast-paced ride through several different languages, and is, Ms Ashcroft said, “one of our favourites”.

“As you can imagine – excuse the pun – we are completely over the moon about this and so delighted it was this song,” she added.

The band’s members, all musicians from jazz, hip-hop, or folk backgrounds, evidently treat their children’s music with the same care and attention as they would an album for adults.

A second round of the Lennon competition – which has been running since 1997 – is currently under way and, next year, Mrs H and the Singalong Band will go head-to-head in an online voting battle with whoever wins the children’s category in this round.

The grand final will come in July 2025, when one overall winner – from several categories including rock, hip-hop, gospel/inspirational – will win Song of the Year and $20,000.