Children's books you can sing?

Subject: Children's books you can sing?
From: GUEST,ClaireBear
Date: 20 Feb 04 - 12:32 PM

In an attempt to broaden my three-year-old son Martin's musical horizons from "the Wheels on the Bus" and "Twinkle Twinkle," I've started picking up bedtime storybooks I can sing. Being of a nautical bent, I started with "The Owl and the Pussycat" (here's the Amazon listing), which he liked OK.

Recently I found a version of "The Sailor's Alphabet" had been released as a children's book (Amazon listing) and started singing him that one. He LOVES it (and can now point out the keelson, halyards, topsail, and jib effortlessly, which is a nice bonus, plus it's sweet to hear him spell out my name as "capstan lanyards anchor iron rigging ensign").

Just last night I sang "The Walloping Window-Blind" (aka "A Capital Ship" or "10,000 Miles Away"), and it's clear that's going to be a favorite as well (got it remaindered and it's out of print, so no listing for it -- sorry!).

I never get as good a response from Martin by simply singing a song; there's something about turning the pages that builds his enthusiasm.

So, has anyone got recommendations for other books I should search for and incorporate into the act?

Subject: RE: Children's books you can sing?
From: GUEST,MMario
Date: 20 Feb 04 - 12:40 PM

wrong season - but "The Night Before Christmas" goes well to "Irish Washerwoman"

I always used to sing "One fish two fish" rather then do a straight read on it.

Subject: RE: Children's books you can sing?
From: Cool Beans
Date: 20 Feb 04 - 01:33 PM

There used to be a book-and-cassette package of "The Runaway Bunny.'' Si Kahn and Cathy Fink sang the book as a song. Wonder if it's still available.

Subject: RE: Children's books you can sing?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 20 Feb 04 - 01:55 PM

Didn't Mary Chapin-Carpenter produce one some time ago?

Subject: RE: Children's books you can sing?
From: GUEST,ClaireBear
Date: 20 Feb 04 - 02:06 PM

I should've mentioned that I'm particularly interested in material not necessarily inherently directed at young children, although it's probable that little ones will like it.

Both "Sailor's Alphabet" and "Capital Ship" are in that category -- fairly sophisticated both verbally and musically. That's what I mean by "expanding his horizons" -- he gets enough kiddie material at pre-school!

I'm especially eager for traditional songs that have been printed as books. I just remembered, for example, that somewhere I have "Froggie Went a'Courtin'" in book form.

Subject: RE: Children's books you can sing?
From: katlaughing
Date: 20 Feb 04 - 03:04 PM

Claire, it's not a song to sing, per se, but a children's tape made from an old 78, which teaches children all about the instruments in an orchestra. It's called Pee-wee - the Piccolo and as far as I am concerned, it is priceless for being fun, developing a child's ear, and teaching not only about the instruments, but also about helping one another, coping with fear and loss. I'd be happy to make you a copy and send it to you.

Briefly, the orchestra is getting tuned up and ready to play, but Peewee has lost his melody. He looks all over the forest for it, asking other animals and birds, each of whom has their own melody denoted by different instruments, if any of them have seen it.

I'm already playing it often for my 3 month old grandson.

There is an old book called "Wonder Tales of the World." If you can get a copy of it, it has marvelous, sophisticated stories which might lend themelves well, with some paring down. Also, a wonderful book my grandmother taught from and gave to me, "How to tell stories to children" by Sara Cone Bryant (used to be several copies at www.abebooks.com) has endearing and wonderful stories which could easily be adapted, imo. "The Cat that ate the parrot" would be a good one, as well as others which tell why the sea is salt; why morning glories climb; how we came to have golden *cobwebs* on the Christmas tree; why evergreens keep their leaves in the winter; etc. Great stories, regardless.

Also, if you can get the OLD Childcraft books, from the 40's, maybe 50's, they've got good material, too. Favs include the Lad who went to the North Wind; the Fox and his travels; Town Musicians of Bremen; Dick Whittington and his cat; and, many more.:-)

Great thread!

kat

Subject: RE: Children's books you can sing?
From: GUEST,MAG at work (in the lab, on my own time ...)
Date: 20 Feb 04 - 03:20 PM

Check the j780's at your local friendly public library.

With any luck, you will find Pete Seeger's *Foolish Frog*
*I was born about 10,000 years ago* (illus. by S. Kellogg)
*One More River to Cross*

oh, bunches

The picture books may have Staines' *River*

Mallett's *Inch by Inch*
The Paxton one about the elephant
There is one of the Paul Simon zoo song

I would send you my file of this very thing if I knew how to do that technically

Subject: RE: Children's books you can sing?
From: Amergin
Date: 20 Feb 04 - 03:25 PM

Tom Paxton's Jennifer's Rabbit :Jennifer's Rabbit

also any Dr. Suess book should do as well...as the rhymes and rhythm are generally there already...Especially things like Green Eggs and Ham...or the Lorax...

Subject: RE: Children's books you can sing?
From: GUEST,ClaireBear
Date: 20 Feb 04 - 03:36 PM

Thank you all -- now don't stop. Those hits just keep on comin'!

Katlaughing, I may take you up on that, although since I keep putting off becoming a member until I have Internet access at home, I can't PM you my address yet...when you hear from me weeks hence, I'll remind you.

MAG, thank you for the library cataloging number -- how simple and brilliant. I'll have fun tomorrow...

Subject: RE: Children's books you can sing?
From: wilbyhillbilly
Date: 20 Feb 04 - 04:43 PM

Hi,katlaughing, I hope you don't think I am being a bit "forward" with this request, but I was wondering if you could possibly send me a copy of your Pee-wee the Piccolo.

My son is now two and a half years old (I'm 63)*grin* yes it's true, anyway, he has been subjected to music since when he was in the womb and he really loves it. He is already making headway with the harmonica and asks to listen to "his" CD every night after having had his stories, which is a compilation we made up of different songs and instruments, and he seems to be learning quite well.

I'm sure that if we could get a copy from you it will help bring him on leaps and bounds and I am sure he will really love it.

The only thing is, I am in the UK and I suspect that you may be across the pond, so I know it is a bit of a cheek to ask, but I am more than willing to pay you for it and of course cover any shipping costs etc.

If you think it would be too time consuming or whatever, please don't be afraid to say, and please forgive me for asking.

Wilby

Subject: RE: Children's books you can sing?
From: GUEST,ClaireBear
Date: 20 Feb 04 - 04:54 PM

Wilby, welcome to the Parents-in-their-Dotage Club! I'm 49, and proud papa is turning 69 this year. (Having a little one was his idea, by the way.)

Isn't it grand?

Subject: RE: Children's books you can sing?
From: wilbyhillbilly
Date: 20 Feb 04 - 05:25 PM

ClairBear, talk about stealing the thunder!! and I thought I had done well, Congratulations! and I take my hat off to proud papa, good on ya pa.

Its TERRIFIC.

(sorry if this is a thread drift folks) but its still terrific!!

Subject: RE: Children's books you can sing?
From: katlaughing
Date: 20 Feb 04 - 06:27 PM

Here I am at 50 babysitting a grandson and look at you two! Daft buggers.***Really BIG Grin***

I'd be happy to send one cross the pond, wilby, no problem, just PM your addy and we'll get it done. It is a marvelous tape.

Anyone else who would like a copy, please let me know.

katnotyetinherdotage:-)

Subject: 78 record info for PeeWee the Piccolo
From: katlaughing
Date: 20 Feb 04 - 09:23 PM

Thought you all might want to know the particulars of the old record from which I copy PeeWee:

Pee-Wee the Piccolo
Paul Wing, Narrator
RCA Victor Y-344 (c.1947)

Clair, just remind me when you're ready. Or, just a thought, you could, if you are comfortable with it, send the info to Jeff at the Mudcat email and he could PM it to me.

kat

Subject: RE: Children's books you can sing?
From: GUEST,Wesley S at Home
Date: 20 Feb 04 - 09:31 PM

And here I thought I was one of the oldest parents here since I'm 52 with a three year old.

Claire - you're on to a good idea here. I'll be checking out the books that Brendan and I read and I'll get back to you. By the way I just got him an inexpensive uke the other day and my wife is looking into getting him a toy piano - keyboards facinate him.

Subject: RE: Children's books you can sing?
From: wilbyhillbilly
Date: 21 Feb 04 - 02:16 AM

Thanks so much kat, I've just sent you a PM.

John

Subject: RE: Children's books you can sing?
From: Jen M
Date: 21 Feb 04 - 09:11 AM

Seeger's Abi Yo Yo is available in picture book. Robert Munsch-Love You Forever and Mortimer. This Land is Your Land in picture book. Did You Hear The Wind Call Your Name, Sandra De Coteau Orie. A search on Amazon-- childrens books and song will bring up many more.

Subject: RE: Children's books you can sing?
From: delphinium
Date: 21 Feb 04 - 10:29 AM

My kids (and their parents) loved Peter Spier's books, illustrated in wonderful detail that adds to the story. A few of them were based on old songs - I remember The Fox Went Out on a Chilly Night and Erie Canal.

Subject: RE: Children's books you can sing?
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 21 Feb 04 - 11:59 AM

When my sons were little, I sang Mother Goose nursery rhymes to them.
All it took was a slight change, and they all fit into a melody I made up:

   Old mother Hubbard, she went to the cupboard
   To get her poor dog a bone
   When she got there, the cupboard was bare
   And the poor old dog had none, he did
   The poor old dog had none

I just added the "he did" or "She did" and repeated the last line..

   "And frightened Miss Muffet away, he did
    He frigthened Miss Muffet away."

My youngest son loved to sing along, even before he was talking, but he'd pipe in on the "he did" on every line.

Jerry

Subject: RE: Children's books you can sing?
From: GUEST,TNDARLN
Date: 21 Feb 04 - 03:54 PM

Peter Spier also did a book on London Bridge and the Star Spangled Banner- wonderful detail. There are tons others that I have collected over the years [elementary music teacher], but it's Saturday and my books are at school. You might check out used book stores. You might also try a search for childrens' book illustrators, since the texts will mostly be PD. There are/have been many folk songs illustrated/published this way.

I've added a link below to one of the best music ed suppliers as far as books are concerned:

www.musicmotion.com

Happy Hunting!

Subject: RE: Children's books you can sing?
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Feb 04 - 09:57 PM

For more intros to the orchestra, my sister, Mudcatter "bet," also an elementary music teacher, recommends A BIG BOOK's Orchestranimals (all one word.)

Subject: RE: Children's books you can sing?
From: DrWord
Date: 21 Feb 04 - 11:10 PM

http://www.tomandlori.com/
From their homepage, follow the LuLu and the Tomcat link, then "Sing-a-books"

These are an incredibly talented couple, recently having won significant awards for their kids' music. The "Sing-a-books" are aimed precisely at the "loving to turn the page" to which you referred.

Keep reading and singing!
Cheers
dennis

Subject: RE: Children's books you can sing?
From: Little Robyn
Date: 22 Feb 04 - 01:54 AM

Somewhere I have "Little Mohee" with the music in the back, but I can't locate it right now. Also "Paper of Pins" illustrated by Margaret Gordon, 1975, SBN 333 14806 1 which also has the music.
I also have "The Old Ballad Of The Babes In The Wood" illustrated by Edward Ardizzone, 1972, 0 370 01134 1 but that one's a bit scary for little kids.
There's also a series of Gilbert and Sullivan books printed by Thomas Nelson and Sons Ltd, dated about 1966. These include The Mikado, The Pirates of Penzance, Iolanthe, The Gondoliers and The Yeomen of the Guard. I have H.M.S. Pinafore, which has snippets of songs in the body of the story. It also has beautiful pictures by Anne and Janet Grahame Johnstone, who have illustrated several books of Nursery Rhymes. I'm sure there are many more out there.
Robyn

Subject: RE: Children's books you can sing?
From: GUEST,Guest,Vinland
Date: 22 Feb 04 - 10:11 AM

Claire,

The picture book Wind Over Dark Tickle ( http://www.breakwater.nf.net/children/windoverdarktickle.html ) tells the story of the Newfoundland cod fisheries using story and songs. There's CD that accompanies the book if you'd like to learn the tunes. As co-author, I'm a little biased to evaluate it, but the book is used widely in the Newfoundland school system and seems to fit with your nautical interest. The original songs are mostly in a traditional style, and includes one Nfld folk song.

Vinland

Subject: RE: Children's books you can sing?
From: open mike
Date: 22 Feb 04 - 01:52 PM

There are several books by Ezra Jack Keats which have songs to sing,
Over in the Meadow, Little Drummer Boy, John Henry, they are published by Scholastic Book Services and I believe they have a web site, http://www.scholastic.com/ and there are over 200 books by this author available used at http://www.abebooks.com/(he is also an illustrator) make sure to put EZRA JACK in the search box.

Another real winner is Holly Near's The Great Peace March which has been illustrated in a wonderful book. This would be a great song to raise a
kid on!! check here under the music link http://www.hollynear.com/

on that page holly recommends cathy fink and marcy marxer's "Changing Channels"

Subject: RE: Children's books you can sing?
From: GUEST,ClaireBear
Date: 23 Feb 04 - 10:35 AM

What a treat to come in on Monday morning to find my thread has grown so much while I was away. So many leads -- Martin and Mama will be singing 18 hours a day soon!

Katlaughing, I'm going to wait instead of e-mailing Jeff, primarily because this will be a great motivation for me to get the ISP-at-home thing handled sooner. Please don't think I'm not interested!

I have a lot of library and bookshop scouring to do, I see. Oh, and Intenet shopping. Guest Vinland, thank you especially; that sounds right down my alley.

I took the books I already have to my son's preschool late Friday afternoon and sang them to his friends just to see what would happen. Not every kid responded more positively to the "sung" books than to spoken-word, but a lot of them did. Some of the really shy ones listened the most attentively -- and asked the most questions afterwards!

Claire

Subject: RE: Children's books you can sing?
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 Feb 04 - 10:39 AM

No problem, Claire. It'll be here.:-)

Subject: RE: Children's books you can sing?
From: Blackcatter
Date: 23 Feb 04 - 12:51 PM

Jimmy Buffett wrote a couple kid's books with his daughter Savannah back in the late 80s.

Jolly Mon sing and Trouble Dolls.

Jolly Mon has a song that goes along with it, but I can't remember if Trouble Dolls does (Buffett hasn't recorded a Trouble Dolls Song, as fara as I know).

Subject: RE: Children's books you can sing?
From:
Date: 23 Feb 04 - 01:15 PM

You really can get away with singing just about anything. My 3 year old daughter happily went to sleep one night as I "sang" a page from an old Goldenbook Book of Words, nothing more than a dictionary with pictures. It sounded like an old collection of street cries when all was said and done.

Subject: RE: Children's books you can sing?
From: GUEST,Jim Dixon
Date: 23 Feb 04 - 02:49 PM

I posted a link here to an illustrated version of Three Blind Mice -- a much longer version than the one that is commonly known.

Subject: RE: Children's books you can sing?
From: GUEST,ClaireBear
Date: 23 Feb 04 - 03:21 PM

Well, yes, you can sing anything. When Martin was a wee thing, I did my technical editing job at home, and I used to sing him to sleep with PC datasheet specs! Worked every time, too.

But I don't want to broaden his horizons quite that far, now that he's a sentient critter...

Subject: RE: Children's books you can sing?
From: open mike
Date: 23 Feb 04 - 04:36 PM

Just came across another one today...in a bag of critter puppets that i used to do with school tykes....Bill Staines' All God's Critters Got a Place in the Choir....the kids love it cuz they can honk and howl along.
and squack and moo and various other calls. the book is illustrated by
Margot Zemach.Published by Dutton. (one teacher reminded me that it is not politically correct to use the word "God" in schools today) I say go fot it..!

Subject: RE: Children's books you can sing?
From: jeffp
Date: 23 Feb 04 - 04:51 PM

Perhaps you could illustrate your favorite song into a little book and share it that way. An older child could help and it would be a wonderful project to do together.

I'm loving this, BTW. I have a 2-month-old granddaughter and will be looking for ways to educate/entertain her and the family. She'll be a folkie, you betcha! She already likes The Parting Glass and Three Jolly Coachmen.

Subject: RE: Children's books you can sing?
From: fiddler
Date: 23 Feb 04 - 05:27 PM

If you're in to that sort of thing try Simon Mayer and Hilary James Musical Mystery tour.

Childrens music.co.uk - I think - not mainstream bu my kids still (18 & 16) listen to it all original and presented with linking sketches.

If you can't find it PM me and I'll dig out more info there are 5 CDs in the full set - that is around 200 miles of travellign by car !!!! without a repeat.

A

Subject: RE: Children's books you can sing?
From: Cluin
Date: 23 Feb 04 - 06:50 PM

Off the top of my head, 3 albums of kid's songs & stories that also can appeal to adults:

Robin Williamson's "Songs for Children of All Ages"
Tommy Sands' "Down By Bendy's Lane"
Patrick Ball "Storyteller - Gwilan's Harp & Other Celtic Tales"

...though the last one has a more adult bent to it.

And my buddy was telling me about series of tapes from Rabbit Ears that his wife brought home from work for their boys (she manages a municipal daycare facility). These tapes have various actors and personalities reading the stories, but the best thing is the musical scores which are composed and performed by such various talents as Ry Cooder, Leo Kottke, Mark O'Connor, Chet Atkins, Bela Fleck & the Flecktones, and other great musicains and groups.

Subject: RE: Children's books you can sing?
From: GUEST,marthabees
Date: 23 Feb 04 - 08:36 PM

For a little bit of a stretch, you might want to try Jazz Fly. It is a fun book that all my elem music kids have enjoyed. The author has created an accompaniment CD in which he reads the book in a swing style, accompanied by a bass, trap set, a keyboard and a sax.

It tells the story of a jazz fly, trying to get to a gig, but he doesn't know the way. So he asks a pig "boo-zaba zee-baza boo-za roni" (close enough....) and the pig doesn't understand these jazz words (scat) and replies "oink." So the fly goes along and meets a few more critters. Finally gets to the gig and is told that the act is boring and better shape up. So the fly jazzes things up by incorporating the animal sounds into his jazz words. Very nice cool jazz playing goes along with this.

With all these animals in the book, I just haven't been able to use the word "scat" too much in this activity! "Jazz words" suffices for now.

Jazz Fly. Check it out.

Martha in Tallahassee (guesting right now cuz I didn't sign in....)

Subject: RE: Children's books you can sing?
From: Red and White Rabbit
Date: 24 Feb 04 - 01:26 AM

Hi I have a book tht I use with my kids that is all about stories using music andyou can get tham to make shakers and it gives you ideas for how to get little ones to join in. I think it has the three little pigs, hare and the tortoise, a pirates theme in the hairy scary castle and some others. I also have some somgs somewhere that go with books like This is the Bear and the picnic lunch and Handas surprise and I have a couple f Raps that I wrote to go with some fairy tales ( Three bears) and a song to go with We're going on a bear hunt. If you want any let me know and I will hunt them out for you

Sue

Subject: RE: Children's books you can sing?
From: bbc
Date: 24 Feb 04 - 06:32 AM

A Velveteen Love Song by Bob Franke (on his In This Night recording) is based on the book, The Velveteen Rabbit by Marjorie Williams. Good book, good song.

best,

bbc (elementary school librarian in NY)

Subject: RE: Children's books you can sing?
From: black walnut
Date: 24 Feb 04 - 02:23 PM

One of my dreams is to have a picture book created to illustrate the text to my song 'Up and Over the Moon!' I have the artist, just not a publisher/distribution worked out yet. My husband thinks there'd be more money in doing a colouring book....oh my,hmmm,well maybe, you never know!

We walk along a country road/After the sun goes down/The Milky Way above our heads/Up and over the moon!
Up and over the moon, children/Up and over the moon/ Count the planets/Touch the stars/Up and over the moon

If we're in the city after dark/I look at the sky with you/The Great Big Dipper shining bright/Up and over the moon!
Up and over the moon, children/Up and over the moon/Count the planets/Touch the stars/Up and over the moon!

There's a window near your bed/Close the curtain soon/And dream a dream of far away/ And up and over the moon!
Up and over the moon, children/Up and over the moon/Count the planets/Touch the stars/Up and over the moon
(Debbie Carroll)

~black walnut

Subject: RE: Children's books you can sing?
From: Gypsy
Date: 24 Feb 04 - 10:43 PM

Our fiddler sings "The Jabberwocky" to the tune of "Ghost Riders in the Sky" and it is good, too!

Subject: RE: Children's books you can sing?
From: GUEST
Date: 24 Feb 04 - 10:54 PM

There is a wonderful children's picture book of Woody's "This Land is Your Land" and there is also Pete Seger's "Abiyoyo" in a children's book edition. There are more and as I come across them in the classroom and library I'll send the titles on.

Subject: RE: Children's books you can sing?
From: bet
Date: 25 Feb 04 - 06:24 PM

More info on the    ORCHESTRANIMALS. By Vlasta van Kampen and Irene C. Eugen.   It is a Scholastic book. Great story of the instruments the students love it year after year. My copy is about worn out. bet

Subject: RE: Children's books you can sing?
From: GUEST,MAG at work
Date: 26 Feb 04 - 12:50 PM

OK, I'll just dump the whole file on you, trying to edit out the things I know have been covered:

Rattlesnake Dance by Jim Arnosky has music inside the front flap.
The children LOVE this book.

Traditional ones like "Old MacDonald"

"Over in the Meadow"

ones that use traditional tunes but change the words like "Seals on the Bus"

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly;

There Was an Old Woman Who Swallowed a Pie;

This Old Man (the counting song);

Little White Duck;

To Market, To Market;

Itsy Bitsy Spider.

Paxton's Engelbert the Elephant   (and others)

David Mallett's Inch by Inch

Bill Staines' All God's Critters Got a Place in the Choir

The E Raffi version of just about anything.

Go Tell Aunt Rhody;

Reynolds'Morningtown Ride;

picture book versions of 12 Days of Christmas;

Langstaff's version of Oh A Hunting we will Go;

Spier's Erie Canal;

picture book versions of Star Spangled Banner
and America the Beautiful (j811.5, Bates)

Sitting Down to Eat by Harley

Mockingbird by Ahlberg (a new version of the traditional song)

anything by Iza Trapani (especially Shoo Fly)

       The Green Grass Grows All Around by Hoffman
      
Miss Mary Mack by Hoberman
      
Froggy Went A Courting (I like the Conover Version for
             pictures, but use my own version of the song)
      
Animal Boogie by Harter
      
The Farmer in the Dell (I like the O'Brien version)

Hurd, Mama Don't Allow

singing nursery rhymes to the music of "Yankee Doodle," the theme from
the TV show, "Gilligan's Island" and (pardon me for this one,)
"Ninety nine bottles of beer on the wall."   


There Ain't No Bugs On Me by Jerry Garcia, et al (Be warned the last verse does have HELL instead of HECK)

This Land Is Your Land by Woody Guthrie
T
hree Blind Mice by John W. Ivimy

A Farmyard Song by Christopher Manson

To Market To Market by Anne Miranda

Subject: RE: Children's books you can sing?
From: black walnut
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 09:30 AM

Near the end of 2009 I published a wee book called "The Eensy Weensy Book of Little Fingerplays". It includes songs and rhymes and is appropriate for ages infant to primary grades. There is a CD included as well as music notation and chords. Click here: http://teakettlepress.com to take a peek inside!

Right now it is only in paperback, but I will be putting it into hardcover and possibly creating a series of Eensy Weensy books.

~b.w.

Subject: RE: Children's books you can sing?
From: Charley Noble
Date: 22 Feb 10 - 10:04 AM

Another children's book parents might like to try is Hard Scrabble Harvest by Dahlov Ipcar, recently reprinted by Islandport Press in Maine: Click here for info and Order

The entire story is in verse. In fact Priscilla Herdman set the verses to music and released the song on her Daydreamer CD, © 1993.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Children's books you can sing?
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 31 Oct 11 - 02:03 PM

Protest Songs for Young Dissenters - a NY Times review of two new books:

BLOWIN' IN THE WIND, Lyrics by Bob Dylan, Illustrated by Jon J. Muth
32 pp. Sterling. $17.95. (Picture book; ages 4 to 8)

This is simply the lyric, illustrated (a cd of Dylan's original recording is included).

"The illustrator here is Jon J Muth ("Zen Shorts"), whose dreamy, delicate watercolors seem particularly well suited to Bob Dylan's call for peace, freedom and understanding. "

"Whether children will understand the lyrics depends, of course, on their age, but also on how much context an adult reader adds to the experience. A literal-minded 4-year-old (and what 4-year-old isn't?) might be confused by the portrait of a girl holding a guitar alongside the words, "Yes, 'n' how many times must a man look up / Before he can see the sky?" Likewise, a circle of children happily bouncing a red ball to the tune of "How many deaths will it take till he knows / That too many people have died?" is apt to leave a young listener somewhat befuddled. "

WHICH SIDE ARE YOU ON? The Story of a Song, By George Ella Lyon, Illustrated by Christopher Cardinale
40 pp. Cinco Puntos Press. $17.95. (Picture book; ages 8 to 12)

"Told from the point of view of the songwriter's fictionalized daughter, "Which Side Are You On?" is styled like a graphic novel rather than a picture book, which makes sense given the sophistication of its message and brutality of some images (for instance, gunshots being fired into the bedroom). An author's note and bibliography adds historical detail and context."

~ Becky in Long Beach

Subject: RE: Children's books you can sing?
From: Jack Campin
Date: 31 Oct 11 - 02:47 PM

There is a great version of Dr Seuss's "Twenty-Three Daves" set (with minor changes to make it fit) to "The Rakes of Kildare" and sung by either Anne Feeney or D.C. Fitzgerald on Anne's first recording. (Which was on cassette, and she doesn't seem to be selling it any more - I'll transcribe it later).

Subject: RE: Children's books you can sing?
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 01 Nov 11 - 10:46 PM

Not entirely singable, but you might look at Eric Litwin's Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nUubMSfIs-U I discovered this book before my granddaughter turned 2 (she has now reached the advanced age of 2 1/2 . When I paused, she very quickly learned to say "strawberries," "red," "blueberries," "blue," "mud," "brown," "water," "white," and to sing the brief lines which have such simple tunes that I think even I can carry its tune.