Disney Learning “Explore Music” Series
As librarians and early childhood educators who do storytimes and music programs on a regular basis, we are often on the lookout for new, interesting, interactive ways to do our programs. But they can’t be just any old activities. They have to be activities that fit into the goals of early childhood literacy as well as child development. This can be a time consuming pursuit. Time that we don’t always have. And that is what makes this new series so great.
Launched in 2017, this three book Disney Learning “Explore Music” series from Disney and Hal Leonard is aimed at children ages 4-8. Based on an early childhood music curriculum and featuring well known Disney characters, all of the hard work and research is already done for educators by a team of experts and presented in a program ready package.
Mickey’s Found Sounds – A Musical Exploration Storybook
This book begins with a brief story. When the Main Street Parade is rained out, Mickey and all of his friends return home where Mickey proposes they put on a parade of their own by creating their own marching band. Following the story, easy-to-follow instructions show how to make a bucket drum, oatmeal conga drum, plastic bottle shaker, tube kazoo and glass jar xylophone using common household items. Clear photos accompany the instructions.
Moana: The Beat of Your Heart – A Musical Exploration Storybook
This entry into the series introduces readers to Moana and her family and friends. The concept of rhythm is woven throughout the book as children are encouraged to find the beat within themselves, learn pati and po clapping and are instructed in making and playing a lali, a fala and a pahu.
Tangled: It’s Better When You Sing It – A Musical Exploration Storybook
A Tangled-inspired story is used to show all of the ways that sounds and music surround Rapunzel wherever she goes. Woven into the story are “It’s Better When You Sing It!” tips and suggestions for trying out new ways to express yourself with your voice.
Each book comes with an online component that includes a video read-along, an audio sing-along and additional activities and music to go along with those introduced in the book. There is enough activity and story in a single book to build an entire program around, or you can pick and choose activities to incorporate into your already existing programs. This well thought out, sleekly produced series is a must have for anyone who shares the love of music with the children in their lives.
Hello 2018! I have to say, after the hustle, bustle and general stressfulness that comes with the holidays or as the song says, “the most wonderful time of the year,” I was really looking forward to the calm and quiet of January. I don’t generally do new year’s resolutions, but I did make a promise to myself that I would be kinder in thought and reaction toward those around me. Unfortunately, Mother Nature has made keeping that promise a wee bit difficult. Much of the country has been dealing with weird weather the last few days and in Chicagoland, it has been no different. We’ve been in an extreme deep freeze since before Christmas, there was snow, wind and today, ice. With each day like this that passes, I’m finding it more and more difficult to keep my promise of kindness. And that’s what makes Dolly Parton’s latest album so timely.
I don’t know about you, but I can’t believe that Christmas is only two weeks away. It feels like we were just getting ready for Halloween and now 2018 is just around the corner. So, with the holiday season quickly approaching, the final children’s album that I would like to shine a spotlight on is Revvin’ Up the Reindeer from Brady Rymer and The Little Band That Could.
Latin GRAMMY winner Mister G brings his unique blend of musical genres, languages, and education to The Mitzvah Bus. Originally released in 2015, this high energy, Jewish-themed celebration is definitely worth a second (or if you’re like me, a first!) look.
First up is the delightful It’s the Holidays! from Brooklyn-based Lucy Kalantari & the Jazz Cats. This collection of five jazz age inspired originals celebrates the holidays between Halloween and New Year’s. The album kicks things off with the clever “My Mommy is a Mummy” (keep this one in mind for Halloween 2018) and is followed by “Grateful,” a rare song about Thanksgiving. This is a lovely tune about family and food, but also about the importance of putting aside our differences and acknowledging those things in life for which we are grateful. Take a 
Jack Forman, of Recess Monkey fame, strikes out on his own with his debut solo album, Songs From the Monkey House. If you’ve ever listened to Jack’s weekday show “Live From the Monkey House” on Sirius XM’s Kids Place Live you know that his show is high-energy and filled with conversations between Jack and kids from across the country. It is questions from his listeners as well as from Recess Monkey fans and his own family that are the basis for the twelve high octane songs on this album.
