Singer-songwriter Joanie Leeds goes from Greenwich Village to MY Museum.

Her concerts are kinetic, interactive and explode with sing-a-longs, stories and dancing. Holding the attention of a room of kids under age 8 for an hour is an art that Brooklyn-based Joanie Leeds has down to a science.

“Parents want their kids to have a great time – so much so, that the second their kid starts to act cranky, they leave,” she explains. “My setlists are all about strategic planning.”

Part of that is spontanaeity: She will change songs, even mid-verse, if she notices that she’s losing the focus of the pint-sized concert-goers.

Leeds recently released her eighth full-length children’s record, Brooklyn Baby, with her band the Nightlights.

Writing tunes for children is liberating. Leeds isn’t pigeonholed to any genre. From the mandolin-heavy, feel-good self-esteem sing-a-long “Be Myself,” to the grandiose Arcade Fire-esque parody “Hipster in the Making,” a humorous generalization of Brooklyn residents, all Brooklyn Baby’s 12 tracks deliver musical diversity that keep listeners listening – even those with short attention spans.

Leeds didn’t initially intend to be a female answer to Raffi. She released a solo record her senior year at college, which she describes as the quintessential songwriting of an “angsty 21-year-old.”

After a couple of years performing around New York City without any breaks, Leeds rethought her career after taking a job at Manhattan’s Upper West Side Gymboree Play & Music. She discovered she enjoyed working with kids, and she was good at it. On the side, Leeds started a birthday party business that led her back to songwriting. This time, she wrote songs for kids.

Leeds and the Nightlights have scored accolades including a Gold Parents’ Choice Award, Nickelodeon’s Parent’s Pick Winner and an Independent Music Award. They’ve submitted Brooklyn Baby for Grammy consideration.

Leeds’ solo performance June 21 kicks off MY Museum’s Summer of Love Music Series, inspired by the 50-year anniversary of the Monterey International Pop Festival (see story, p. 18).

MY Museum’s Summer of Love Series continues July 13 with Monterey’s MaryLee Sunseri, who toured with renowned singer-songwriting legend/Oscar-winner Burl Ives.

San Francisco’s Essence closes the series Aug. 12. The multi-talented singer-songwriter’s A Dog Named Moo and His Friend Roo was voted “Top Kid’s Album of the Year” on DailyCandy.

JOANIE LEEDS 10:30am Wednesday, June 21. MY Museum, 425 Washington St., Monterey. Free (with museum admission). 238-5596,mymuseum.org