The Battersby Duo

Grammy® Award-Winning Children’s Musicians | Tim and Laura Battersby

For over three decades, The Battersby Duo—Tim and  Laura Battersby—delighted children and families with their award-winning blend of music, storytelling, and humor. Known for their appearances on Sesame Street, The Today Show, and six performances at The White House, this dynamic duo brought joy to audiences across the U.S. and around the world.

Winners of a Grammy® Award for Best Children’s Album (All About Bullies Big and Small, 2011) and three-time nominees, The Battersby Duo combined clever lyrics, rich harmonies, and timeless messages that captivated young minds and inspired learning.

From sold-out shows at The Kennedy Center and Wolf Trap to classrooms, libraries, and festivals nationwide, their legacy as pioneers of meaningful children’s entertainment continues to resonate with families, educators, and music lovers alike.

Tim and Laura, are known as The Battersby Duo. Laura is a sociologist by profession while Tim has a degree in English literature. They first met in the early 1980s auditioning for the Wayside Theatre where they joined a troupe that put on shows for schoolchildren in Virginia. 3 years later they decided to strike out on their own and within a few years, they were playing in Elementary schools all over the USA. As time passed Tim and Laura began to write more and more songs for young children, embracing the very tenets of childhood development. Love, nature, counting, food, animals, and reading became the main themes of many BatDuo songs. Coupled with Tim's quick wit and Laura's more sensible approach to life, Sesame Street soon described them as "Monty Python meets Mary Poppins," a moniker that has stuck with them their whole career. In 2010 they produced a children's album called Sunny Days that was submitted to Grammy. Three months later Tim and Laura became proud recipients of a Grammy nomination.    ​ 

    ​  NOTABLE QUOTABLES

"Monty Python meets Mary Poppins. The Battersby's are a Top Notch Duo." Sesame Street

"Though disguised as goofy frivolous fun, The Battersby Duo's antics and songs simmer with serious themes. The Battersby Duo's songs offer honest non-threatening glimpses into a Child's world of understanding and imagination. Their beautiful voices and pleasing music shine." School Library Journal

 " The Battersby Duo are always a huge hit with the Kids and their Parents.” Hillary Clinton.

“A banquet of silliness designed to please the most refined of juvenile palates." The American Library Association

"The Battersby Duo provides a wonderful mix of Melody, Energy, Sweetness and Humor." Kimbo Educational

“We will remember with pleasure that The Battersby's are a part of our neighborhood." Mr. Rogers Neighborhood

“A thousand happy Kids had the best time of their lives." Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center

"Goofy wacky and whimsical are all adjectives to describe the musical antics of The Battersby Duo. Their beautiful voices shine. School Library Journal

Battersby Duo songs effervesce with off-the-wall humor, unexpected lyrics and a dash of British quirkiness. Parents Choice Magazine

"The Battersby Duo is a National Treasure." Senator Bob Graham Florida's 39th Governor

Kids go bananas for The Battersby Duo." The Tampa Tribune "The Battersby’s are naturals for our audiences.” Wolf Trap Farm Park Performing Arts Center

"Taking zaniness to new levels." St Petersburg Times

“Rarely do our marble walls and chandeliers witness such levels of silliness, as The Battersby’s inspire in their audiences” The Kennedy Center