Children’s books about Orchestra Instruments

In the first year of Kindermusik for the Young Child, the students learn about each of the different groups of instruments in the orchestra.  A fun way to enhance this learning is through books that explain or expand on these instruments in ways that relate to children.  I have found the following books to do Just that! 

The Remarkable Farkle McBride – by John Lithgow,  Ill. By C.F. Payne;  Scholastic, 2000.

Farkle is a talented young musician, but just can’t stick to any one instruments.  He finally finds his talent is conducting all of the instruments.  Wonderful story of finding your place in this world.

 

Orchestranimals – by Vlasta van Kampen and Irene C. Eugen;  Scholastic, 1989.

The penguin conductor is anxiously trying to get everyone ready for the upcoming concert.  Introduces all the instruments in an amusing way (and includes a snippet of music melodies for each instrument).

 

Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin – by Lloyd Moss,  Ill. By Margorie Priceman;  Alladin Paperbacks, 1995.

A musical counting book.  The delightful rhymes help clarify what groups of instruments playing together are called; one instrument plays a solo, two is a duet, three is a trio, and so forth, until an entire orchestra is gathered.

Of course, listening to classical music is a perfect way to learn about the instruments

Classics for Children – Great set of classical music  - This recording includes Peter & The Wolf, as well as Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra, plus many more – Just BUY this CD set – you and your children will get so much out of it.

 

Travel by boat – in a book or two

In the Kindermusik Imagine That! Toys I Make, Trips I Take semester, we have FUN exploring boats.  We use a fun song, and our imaginations to build a boat in class.  Then one of their homework assignments is to build a boat – any kind they want, with just a bit of parent support.  Wow, what imaginations we have.  Check out the slide show on my business blog: 

Children, Children, build me a boat

One of the books that comes with the home materials is called “In My Big Blue Boat”, in which a girl imagines what her day would be like if she sailed away in a big blue boat.  Beautiful illustrations, rhyming text, and full of sound words to explore sounds and movements while adventuring through the book.

Another assignment is to read this book and another book that focuses on some sort of adventure in a boat.  The object is to ask general questions that help children compare the boat, the characters, and the adventure.   This type of activity is so wonderful for developing reading comprehension and analytical thinking.

I definitely have a few favorites that I’d like to recommend:

The Sailor Dog 

A Golden book by Margaret Wise Brown, Ill. by Garth Williams

Ms. Brown most definitely shows her talent in this wonderful book of displacement, and finding, again, your place in the world.  There is even a song at the end that can be sung to the Popeye tune.

Row, Row, Row Your Boat  

A Scholastic book, as told and ill. by Iza Trapani.

Another fabulous author takes a classic song, and expands it into a wonderful adventure featuring a family of bears and their pet dog, as they have a wonderful day on the river.  SING every verse, it is so fun!

Theodore Mouse Goes to Sea

A Little Golden Book by Muntean

A shorebound mouse has enough of just watching the sea.  He pulls his bed to the shore and sets sail with his sheet.  He visits exotic places and defends himself against pirate cats, and more.  My daughter loves this book.

The Harbor and the Sea – by Lucille Wood  (1971)

This book is out of print, and I only found ONE copy available on ebay.  But there are a group of children that form a tugboat out of boxes.  They tell us the story of their adventures of the day, including songs and movements that are elicited by their imaginative activities.   When they pretend to pass a lighthouse, they move and sing, ”Round and Round I’m turning sending out my light, Round and Round I’m turning, guiding ships at night.”

Classics for Children – Great set of classical music

Classics for Children

Released by Decca Recording Company

I HIGHLY recommend this 2 CD set for every parent with young children. 

This is a top notch collection of classical music that was specifically written for children.  It includes:

• Peter & the Wolf – Prokofiev; 
• The Carnival of the Animals – Saint-Saens; 
• The Flight of the Bumble Bee – Rimsky-Korsakov; 
• Young Person’s Guide to the Orchestra – Benjamin Britten
• The Sorcerer’s Apprentice – Paul Dukas
• The Toy Symphony – Leopold Mozart 
• and many other musical pieces about animals, toys, and other things interesting to children. 

 Please see the FULL LIST OF SELECTIONS on these 2 CDs.  This link also leads you to an online site that is currently selling this set for just $14.95. 

My advice… Just get it!  You will be exposing your children to classical music written specifically for them from composers throughout history. 

And don’t just listen to it;  draw the animal that the music is about; pretend to be the animal, moving the way the music makes you feel, talk about the animal, and why someone would write music about it!  The pamphlet that comes in the CD features just such artwork by children, and they have several great ideas for interactive and creative ideas to do with your children.  Who could ask for more?

Froggy Fun

Books, chants, songs, and stories that include songs from Frogs

Ga-goon – I learned this song aurally from a neighbor friend when James was young.  I have not yet found a website that allows you to hear the melody of the song.  But children have a great time making the “Ga-goon” from the back of their throat, and the final blinks

 

Ga-goon went the little green frog one day.

Ga-goon went the little green frog.

Ga-goon went the little green frog one day.

And his eyes went blink, blink, blink.

 “Peter’s Song” book by Carol P. Saul

A little pig makes up a new song, and can’t find anyone to share it with, until he meets a frog who likes to sing and make up songs too.   The text and the illustrations are absolutely magical, and encourage children to be themselves, and to find friends who appreciate them for who they are.  Frank is the friend he meets, and has a song of his own that he made up.

—————————————————————————————————

“The Frog Prince” Grimm’s Fairy Tale – found in a variety of sources

A classic tale of a prince turned into a frog, but saved by the kiss of a young princess.

Frog Kiss   by Cindy Bousman (part of the Kindermusik Creative Team)

Frog kiss, frog kiss, such a special thing.For when you kiss a froggy’s noseThe frog will start to sing.Ribbit, ribbit, Croak, croak, Kou-ack-ack-ack.

Take turns kissing each other’s nose, and start to sing a froggy song of your own.

————————————————————————————————-

Tiddilick – is an aboriginal folk tale from Australia about a huge frog who drinks all the water in the world, and how the other animals are able to get the water back.

The story of Tiddalick was inspired by an Australian Aboriginal dreamtime legend.  Dreamtime stories originated from the Aboriginal people’s tradition of the Dreaming, their rules for living.  Tiddalik reminds people of the importance of water conservation.

 .

.

SET UP for this activity by determining how to make a BIG FROGGY SOUND.  It could be using the voice to make a variety of froggy sounds.  OR homemade instruments can be used by taking an empty open water bottle, and rubbing a pencil up and down the sides to make a Ribbit, or a Croak sound.  The following version was adapted by Ms. Debbie to be a bit shorter, and allow the children to make a BIG FROGGY SOUND at regular intervals during the storytelling.  I hope you enjoy it.  (Just copy the story and paste to a Word document, so you can print it out.)

.

“Tiddalik was the largest frog in the world and he make a big frog sound.  One day he woke up and he was soooo thirsty.  He started to drink the water and he drank and drank and drank until he drank up all the water in the whole world!  Then he made a big frog sound.The animals were very upset that there was no water.  They were thirsty and there was nothing to drink. 

All the animals gathered together.  They decided that if they could make Tiddalik laugh all the water inside of him would come out of his mouth and they would have water to drink.  The kookaburra bird flapped his wings and told the funniest story.  Did Tiddalik laugh? No.  He just made a big frog sound.The kangaroo jumped very very high. Did Tiddalik laugh? No.  He just made a big frog sound.The lizard did a silly walk and even made his stomach stick out. Did Tiddalik laugh? No.  He just made a big frog sound.

Finally, the eel, who looks a lot like a big fat worm, slithered up.  He began to dance on the ground, slowly at first then faster and faster, and he wriggled and twisted and looked so funny that Tiddalik started with a little giggle, then it grew into a chuckle.  Finally, he burst out laughing with the biggest frog laugh that you have ever heard.

Tiddalick laughed so hard that all the water gushed out of his mouth and there was water again for everyone to drink.  Everyone was happy, especially the eel.

.

I found a great website, http://www.suetrainor.com/gamemain.html , by Sue Trainor, where you can hear a great storyteller re-tell the Tiddilick story, adding sound effects, including the digideroo in the background, and a song at the end.  She also includes a game for the children to play, helping Tiddilick catch flies, while they are listening to the story.

————————————————————————————————–

Five Frogs – by Anna Moo

The album “Anna Moo Crackers” also has Alligator Stomp.  You can HEAR Anna Moo sing these songs on her website http://www.annamoo.com/hear_anna_moo_sing.htm.  But I HIGHLY recommend buying the “Crackers” album, and GO SEE HER IN CONCERT, if you ever have the chance.) 

Five frogs hoppin’ on a log,          One jumped off into the bog,         

And a big alligator came swimmin’ along,       He went CHOMP, mmm-mm, and he’s gone.

• Use hand motions and show # with fingers.

•  Use five stuffed toys to hop then disappear.

• Use five green M&Ms, & sing till their gone.

• Talk more about what frogs & alligators eat.

• Find a place to eat fried frog’s legs.  “He went CHOMP, mmm-hmm, and he’s gone.”

Other Hopp-ening ideas: (or up-LEAP-ting ideas J) 

• Hop (or leap) from the squatting position 

• Have a hopping race to a finish line 

• Play hopping tag 

• Hop to go brush teeth 

• Place objects on the floor and see how many you can hop over in one hop; -in one leap; –in a row without falling; -stacked high . . . 

• Place carpet pieces, or hoops, on the floor and hop on top or in them, not touching the floor

—————————————————–

What is the difference between a hop & a leap?“    A leap is an exaggerated run.  The upward and forward direction is increased, the suspension in the air is longer, the knee and ankle action is increased on take-off and landing.”  - Creative Dance for All Ages by Anne Green Gilbert

 

Have a Hopping Good Time !!!

Frog and Bird Sounds

It is utterly amazing to me, when I play an animal sound in the Kindermusik class, how all the children are FASCINATED, and listen so intently.  It is fun to start a bit of fun vocal play based on the songs we hear.  Recently, in the Our Time program, we have focused on the sounds of frogs, recognizing that frogs from different places can make such different sounds.  Several of the songs on the CD are folk songs from other countries that use “their” frog sounds, like the lullaby “Co-qui” (Mexico);  “Ku-ack-ack-ack” (Sweden), and even this cool frog saying Kvaak (Finland).

I have found a website. by Lang Elliott, NatureSound Studio , that shows the pictures of different frogs, and plays the sound they make, as well as a short description that often helps us know how to replicate the sounds.  It is fun to take a few moments with your child, and check out http://www.naturesound.com/frogs/frogs.html - have them choose a frog, listen intently to their sound, then try to imitate the sounds. 

Ribbit, Ribbit, CROAK, Coqui, Ku-ack-ack-ack-ack, kvaak, etc.

In the Imagine That! program, as well as the Kindermusik for the Young Child program, the students have been listening to bird sounds, matching them with the pictures, and imitating their sounds.  http://www.naturesound.com/birds/birds.html is a different section of the same website that has the pictures, comments, and sounds of different song birds.

Cheerio, Cuckoo, Chick-a-dee-dee-dee, tweet tweet tweedle-eedle-eet…

Lang Elliot also has produced CDs you can purchase that will help you and your children recognize specific species of birds, or frogs, by their sound.  EXCELLENT listening discrimination activities for the older students!

This type of listening and vocal play really helps them to be more aware of their environment, and plays a crucial part of their abilities as musical people to really hear and replicate the sounds they hear – both vocally and on instruments.  

Brain Smart information:  This type of listening and imitation also accesses the frontal lobe sections of the brain which makes it easier for them to hear and respond to the sounds around them. 

It can be very useful in a situation where they a child is very upset (when they are operating in the “survival” centers of the brain).  Do your best to observe any type of natural sounds around them (including animal, plants, or even people or vehicles), and ask them if they can hear that sound and help you determine what is making that sound.   It can jumpstart the process of bringing thoughts to the proper parts of the brain that allow them to think and reason.  Be sure to support that processing long enough to help them calm down before trying to solve whatever problem might have caused the upset.

Fall Fun at Green Meadows Farm

  

I LOVE to take my children to Green Meadows Farm in the Fall.  Of course, my children have a great time petting LOADS of animals, milking a cow, riding a horse, chasing the chickens, and taking a train ride. 

One of my favorite aspects about taking them in October, is that they have a field FULL of pumpkins.  Each child gets to pick one to take home, and I get some of my favorite Family Pictures in such a serene setting.

Green Meadows farm is located just south of Kissimmee, Florida.  Check out what all they have to offer, and more details at www.greenmeadowsfarm.com .

Kookaburra Creativity

The Village semester, FEATHERS, includes a popular folk song about an Australia bird, the Kookaburra.  The song was written by Marion Sinclair for her Scout troup.  I remember singing this song around the campfire at youth camp, and have many fond memories singing it while hiking, etc. 

We had fun making up new words back then for what might happen to the Kookaburra, so I like to challenge my Kindermusik Village parents to come up with their own verses.  The following verses include the original version, as well as versions by my Kindermusik families (names listed).  Please enjoy these the accept the Kookaburra challenge (read about it below).

Kookaburra

• Kookaburra sits in the old gum tree,  Merry, merry king of the bush is he.
• Laugh, Kookaburra, Laugh, Kookaburra,  Gay your life must be. 

(As sung by Kindermusik Families Feb. 2001)

• Kookaburra sits in the old gum tree,  Helping all the children count to three.
• One, Kookaburra, Two, Kookaburra,  I can count to three.     (Allison Hunter) 
• Kookaburra loves to ride the tail,  of his friend the baby whale.
• Dive Kookaburra, Dive, Kookaburra,  What a splash you’ll see.  
• Kookaburra sits on a bird bath rim,  Little does he know there’s a cat ‘neath him.
• Fly Kookaburra, Fly, Kookaburra  Hurry and find a limb   (Dena Weber) 
• Kookaburra sits atop her nest,  Watching all her babies while they rest,
• Love, Kookaburra, Love, Kookaburra,  Mom, you are the best !   (Laura Chase) 
• Kookaburra sits in the old oak tree,  watching all the acorns a-bove he,
• Duck, Kookaburra, Duck, Kookaburra,  Sore your head must be. 
• Kookaburra sits on the welcome mat,  Watching out for the old fat cat.
• Run, Kookaburra, Run, Kookaburra,  Tired your legs must be.      
• Kookaburra swings in the old gum tree,  Swinging swinging high as can be.Swing, Kookaburra, Swing, Kookaburra,Gay your life must be !   (Lee Shupsky) 
• Kookaburra goes to the county fair  Rides the ferris wheel through the air,
• Wheee!  Kookaburra, Wheee!  Kookaburra  Look down if you dare !   (Kim Smith) 
• Kookaburra goes to the picture show  Finds a seat in the very first row.
• Shhhh! Kookaburra,  Shhh!  Kookaburra   Keep your voice real low.   (Kim Smith) 

At http://www.kiddyhouse.com/Songs/Kookaburra.html , you will immediately hear the melody played while viewing the words.  There is also a LOT more on this site, like ideas for crafts and activities, a coloring page, and even a lesson plan.

On the following posting, I have included my favorite recording of Kookaburra by Mary Miche’, as well as more information about her music.

If you so choose you can take the Kookaburra challenge.  Sing this song with your child, and together make up a verse.  Post your new words as a comment below, and everyone can enjoy it!  Make sure and include your name.

Mary Miche’ – Earthy Tunes & Songs for Teaching website

Mary Miche has MY FAVORITE recording of the Kookaburra song found on her on Earthy Tunes album.  (Unfortunately, the words are still copyrighted, so I can’t include them here.)  CHECK out the website where you’ll find the lyrics, her albums, and sooooo much more.

The WHOLE Earthy Tunes album by Mary Miche is a MOST enjoyable folk music recording, subtitled “Nature songs for Kids Ages 3 – 11 years”. I highly recommend having this as part of the music your children grow up with.  It really does make you feel more in tune with mother earth and all it’s unique features.  

There are a lot of gardening songs on it, like “Inch by Inch, Row by Row”, as well as original songs like “Banana Slug”, “Spiders and Snakes”, “Dirt, You Made My Lunch”, all educational as well as fully enjoyable to sing!  Mary is VERY tuned into the earth and it’s environment,  educating and advocating for conservation and peace through music and many other venues.  Teaching ourselves and our children is the best place to start!

You can find out more about Mary and her music on her website: www.marymiche.com .  You can even hear samples of the songs on her albums, and you can order your choice of her music by calling 510-845-8417.  My album is on audio cassette, and I’m not sure how else it is available.

Sept. 10 – NEW INFO.  I just heard from Mary, you can order any of her albums on CDs, or you can download the entire album from this really cool website,  www.songsforteaching.com .  I just checked it out, and WOW, what a wealth of music is available there !!!  Teachers of ALL sorts should be flocking to this site where you can find educational and entertaining music about most any subject.  Homeschooling moms, get ready to have some fun teaching any subject through music.  Talk about Ms. Debbie heaven, I could really go broke here!!!  Makes me want to get an ipod.  I’m definitely ording a CD version of “Earthy Tunes”, as well as another of her albums called “Peace It Together”.  And WOW again, there’s a Music Appreciation section.  Oooh, Oooh, Oooh,  See you later!

A Little Monkey Music

In celebration of our new Kindermusik Family Time semester “Movin’ & Groovin’“, (which features Rascal the Monkey, from the Jelly Bean Band)  a website has been identified (hat tip to Debbie Long)  that includes a bit of it’s own Monkey Music that your little one will truly enjoy.

 

www.mothergoose.com

This site is PACKED with FUN activities for young children, AND a bit of Mother Goose history, you’ll find the little Monkey Music activity in the FREE Activities section (top middle tab).  My daughter and I had a lot of fun moving the mouse/monkey around to hear all the cool sounds, and even tried to imitate the monkey’s movements and sounds.   OOoo-ooo !

My Favorite Ocean Creatures Books

For my families in my Kindermusik – Creatures at the Ocean semester – and anyone else who loves the beach and all it’s sea life as much as I do, I heartily recommend each one of these books.  I do hope you enjoy them.  If you haven’t had a chance to participate in the Creatures at the Ocean semester, I HIGHLY recommend finding a Kindermusik educator near you to see if they are planning one this summer!

·         If You’re Happy – A Tiny Play-A-Song book;  ill. by Mark Frueh, Publications International, Ltd. 1996.         ·         This is the cutest book about the sea creatures version of this song.  With the picture of the dolphins, the verse reads, “If you’re silly and you know it, flip your fins”.  The melody at the touch of a button plays really fast, too fast for children to sing along with, or enjoy the type of movement that it can instigate, so I just took the battery out so we could really enjoy the words and play.  Not on Amazon.

·         Who’s At Home?  In Sea Star Ocean, Illustrated by Elizabeth Gatt.  A Little Look Around book by Reader’s Digest Children’s Books, 1994.  I found it at Barnes and Noble.  This is a perfect little book for the youngest of readers.  They can turn to any page and find out about a different sea creature.

Well illustrated with about 10 different sea creatures getting their own page and brief specific information about them that children can really relate to.  This is a great introductory book, and is a wonderful lead to all kinds of movements and sounds!  Amazon has a copy, but there must be a pricing error!

·         Seashells by the Seashore, by Marianne Berkes,  (I got it at the Florida Aquarium)

·        

OOOOooo !  My newest addition is probably for age 3 and up, but it is like taking a walk on the beach, finding a beautiful shell (named and described in rhyme) on each page.  It includes a laminated guide to shells on the last page.  The words are even as soothing as a walk along the beach.

 

 

 

·         1, 2, 3, Octopus & Me                              Do-Re-Me & You     through Discovery Toys

The book is a beautifully illustrated counting book, using sea creatures creatively making music and dancing.  The CD is wonderfully fun and full of songs about the ocean, including The Octopus’s Garden (Beatles), and many Carribean folk songs.                       

·         Glow in the Dark:  Under the Sea, written by Jean Lewis,  Golden Book, 1991

·        

             In addition to the unique feature of having the illustration outlines glow in the dark, this book itself has a wonderful story about two children that visit the underwater lab of their Aunt and Uncle.  The full color illustrations, labels, and factual information make for well loved, and repeatedly read book for my children.  Their other favorite in this series is “Trip to the Planets”.  Amazon boasts several copies, many as low as one cent.

 .

·         High Tide, a Textured Soft Shapes book by Kate Davis,  2001, by Innovative KIDS

·         The youngest ones love taking out the large shaped foam ocean creatures from the puzzle pages of this book. And there is only 4 pages with some fun “Who am I?” type rhymes.  The pages are made with a wavy texture to the foam, and each pull out creatures has a unique texture to it’s foam as well.

 

 

 

 

·         Big Little Otter, by Lillian Hoban, HarperFestival, 1997

·         This beautifully illustrated book brings a simple introduction to some of my favorite creatures to watch at the aquarium or zoo.  But even more appealing to my children is the way the text brings home the familiar theme of young ones wanting to be BIG.   “Look, mama, look at me. I’m a big little otter!”

 

·         Where the Sharks Are, by Duncan Maxfield, 

·         I can’t say I’m a big fan of Rugrats, who are the main characters in this book, or any TV themed franchise, and the related books, etc.  But this book was given to us by some friends, and upon reading it, it is a wonderful young child perspective of a trip to the aquarium.  Kids just think some of the darndest things.  

The Big Big Sea   by Martin Waddell; ill. by Jennifer Eachus;  Candlewick Press, 1994

“Mama said, “Let’s go!” So we went…”  out in the night to the big, big sea.  Oh, I wish I could express the calm feelings, and the family togetherness that the illustrations and the words to this story instill in both parent and child during a reading of this book.  This book is a wonderful way to end an evening, whether you are near the beach, or not.

Sand Cakes – A Frank Asch Bear Story;  Parents’ Magazine Press, 1978

I LOVE Frank Asch books !!!  So simply illustrated, such clever stories, and I love how smart the little bear is, yet totally displays the characteristics of how a child thinks.  In this book, the bear family goes to the beach.  Little bear wants to make a sand cake for his dad, AND have him EAT it.  Well, both dad and little bear have a very creative way of doing just that!  I can’t find a picture, but it is available from Amazon for as low as $2.00.  I buy every Frank Asch book I find.  This one I found at a yard sale.