Gift performed by Katie T.
This is the time of year when almost everywhere you go, Christmas music is playing. Whether it’s the grocery store, the gas station, or the laundromat, there’s a good chance that at any given time, at least one of them has Michael Bublé singing about the fact that it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Now, don’t get me wrong. I absolutely love Christmas music. From the loud and silly to the divine, I listen to it all. But not everyone celebrates Christmas and sometimes a song that celebrates the themes of the season without talking about the holiday itself is just what folks are looking for. And that is why I would like to introduce you to the newest song from Katie T.
“Gift,” written and performed by Katie and featuring Matt Pace of Hopscotch Songs is a beautiful tune that makes you feel like you are being wrapped in a hug. Rather than celebrating the toys and games and physical items that children often get for the holidays or for other occasions throughout the year, “Gift” focuses on something that doesn’t cost a thing – the gift of heartfelt compliments. Based on a conversation that Katie had with one of her students, the lyrics of the song focus on the phrase, “I have a gift to say to you.” Accompanied by a single guitar, the words of “Gift” flow over you, while Katie and Matt’s vocals help to sooth your soul. Adding to the gentle tone of the track, toward the middle there is a break where parents and children from Katie’s school provide a wide array of compliments that will touch your heart. “Gift” is the perfect song to use in classrooms, library programs, or as a family to practice giving one another compliments. Whether it’s during the holiday season, or any other time of the year, as Katie T. reminds us, “Sometimes the best gift you can give is the one you say.”
Looking for other songs to play this month that aren’t celebrating a particular holiday? Give these songs a spin.
Shake Your Snowglobe performed by Jaden Michaels – great for storytime!
Happy Happy Holidays! performed by Shawny
Happy Holidays performed by Itty Bitty Beats
For children and adults, having to do things on our own may be scary, but many times that is the only way for us grow and progress. For emerging children’s artist Katie T (Kansas’s Katie Todd), this is a very personal message. With over a decade of experience teaching music to elementary school children, Katie is now taking the plunge and releasing her own music. “Chickadee” is her first single and a real delight. On the surface, the tune is a simple, jaunty song about a bird that contains repeating lyrics and action movements that would work well in storytime, but when you listen a little closer you realize that there is an important message about perseverance and how special it is to encourage one another on to success.
According to Katie, the inspiration for “Chickadee” came from a conversation that she had with her dad earlier this year. Seeing her feeling discouraged, he told her about a chick coming out of its shell and how it needed to break out all on its own in order to survive in the wild. With that story as the basis for her new song, Katie went on to pen a tune that she hopes reminds listeners that, “We have to do hard things and sometimes that means taking a break, taking a breath, and when WE are READY (not anyone else’s expectations) we can step up and try again and listen to the encouragement of those around us to make it through.” Just like that chickadee, Katie T has broken out of her shell with this single. I look forward to hearing more from this new voice in children’s music.