Hap Palmer (born Harlan G. Palmer III, October 28, 1942 in Los Angeles, California) is an American children's musician and Guitarist whose songs specialize in developing motor skills, language acquisition, math and reading skills, and overall basic skills aimed at young children. Palmer released his first recording in 1969, and has composed over 200 songs for children. He is considered a pioneer in the use of music and movement in early childhood education.
He has received numerous Parents' Choice Gold Awards for his recordings including:
Some of his best known early albums include the Learning Basic Skills Through Music series, Getting to Know Myself (which features the song "Sammy" which has been one of Palmer's popular songs), Sally the Swinging Snake, and Walter the Waltzing Worm. He released the famous Halloween song Witches' Brew in 1976 with music by him and Martha Cheney co-wrote the lyrics. Hap's granddaughter Megan Schulze sings on the children's chorus of the updated version of his most popular song "Witches' Brew" on his new CD "Learning in Two Languages". He has also released a series of DVDs and videos called Baby Songs, which have sold over 2 million units.
He received his MA in Dance Education from UCLA in 1983 with his thesis titled "Songs to Enhance the Movement Vocabulary of Young Children."
His newest CD is titled MULTIPLICATION MOUNTAIN released January 15, 2009.