Sounds of the Season

As a child, whenever I heard adults use the phrase, “where does the time go?” I always thought, “I don’t know where it goes, but it sure goes slow.” Now, as an adult, I too wonder where the time goes, and why it goes so quickly. It feels like Halloween was just yesterday yet the first day of 2025 is only two weeks away. I had every intention of writing several posts over the course of the past month highlighting various new holiday songs, but alas, best laid plans and all. Instead, here is one bigger post to celebrate the sounds of Christmas. 

graphic of a running gingerbread man cookie

Let’s kick things off with one of my favorite things about the holidays – cookies!! First up is the new song “Gingerbread Man” from Stacey Peasley. This movement song is filled with actions including running, skipping, hopping, and spinning, making it the perfect song to include on Noon Year playlists or to wear out the kids after too many sugary treats. Take a listen to “Gingerbread Man” by clicking on this link.

Next up is the clever “360 Million Cookies,” a new song performed by Suzanne Jamieson about all of the cookies that Santa has to eat in one night as he makes his way around the world. The Mid Century Modern flair of the graphics in this lyric video blend well with the modern pop sound to create a tune that children young and old will enjoy.

Now that we’re full of cookies, let’s celebrate Christmas with some old friends and new. Our first stop is in Canada where Heather Feather shares her beautiful new song “When Santa Comes to Visit Me” in English, French, or a bilingual version. Take a listen at this link.

For another bilingual song, let’s visit Flor Bromley who, along with the cute chicks from Canticos, bring us “Navidad.” This lyrical video is in Spanish and English and features a Latin beat that will have viewers dancing along.

Next up is a quick trip to a tropical island for “Christmas Island Time” written by Freddy Wexler and performed by Teacher Pete to accompany Wexler’s new picture book, Everett Green: The Not-So-Christmas Tree.

And finally, a visit to our friend Mr. Jeff and his family. By this point in December, Paul McCartney’s “Wonderful Christmastime” has popped up on every streaming list more times than I can count. But just as I’m getting tired of it, along comes Mr. Jeff and his adorable back-up singers to give the tune a fresh new look and sound. 

Looking for even more holiday music to share during your family gatherings or last minute Christmas events? Check out this playlist curated by Esther Crow. Featuring over 75 contemporary and classic Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa songs from performers from around the world, this list can’t be beat. Still don’t see your favorite holiday song here? Please add it to the comments. With Christmas (December 24-25), Hanukkah, (December 25-January 2) and Kwanzaa (December 26-January 1) all falling within days of one another this year, we want to lift up all of the sounds of the season at this time.

Wishing everyone a holiday season filled with love, peace, and joy!

Album Spotlight – “Wonderful Wonderful Wonderful” performed by Mr. Jeff

When Mr. Jeff, aka Jeff Klemm, introduced his song “Loud in the Library” to the crowd at the Children’s Music Network conference last November and announced that the full album wouldn’t be out until spring, it felt like that day was eons away. Well, the album finally debuted last week and let me tell you, it was definitely worth the wait! Filled with 13 energetic, imaginative tracks, Mr. Jeff’s pop/rock sound, combined with very catchy, singable lyrics is exactly what you need to get moving and grooving.

The title track, “Wonderful Wonderful Wonderful” kicks things off and sets the tone for a truly wonderful album. Klemm’s experience as a Pre-K teacher, songwriter and musician are on full display, capturing the essence of messages and activities that have kid appeal and setting them to beats that they won’t be able to resist. For those who do storytimes or oversee early childhood classes, there are several must-have songs to add to your playlists. These include the fast-paced “Poppin’ Bubbles” which works perfectly with a bubble machine, “Race Car” which gets kids moving very fast, going round curves and turning left and right, and “The Jellyfish Dances Like This.” Other highlights (although they are all highlights) include “It’s Your Birthday,” which is the perfect tune to wake your kids up to on their special day, and “Mr. Jeff’s Numbers Song” a clever new take on counting from 1-20. The album wraps up with a gentle tale of friendship told in the lovely song, “Sleepover.”

Mr. Jeff’s debut children’s album Wonderful Wonderful Wonderful is available on all the usual streaming platforms and his videos are available on his website and YouTube page. For all the library folks, check out the video for “Loud in the Library.” A huge thanks to Mr. Jeff for all the library love he shares at the end of the video!