Saturday, May 2, 2009

Matching Some Great Reads with Some Cool Tunes

A fun way to extend a story book is through music.  You can read a story and if you happen to know a related song, you can sing it before or after the book or later in the day.  It's another way to help young children make connections about their world.  Below are ten titles (some have been featured already in previous posts) with ten related songs immediately following. Many public libraries offer music CD's, so this is an opportunity to check out some children's music artists that you might not be familiar with.  Also, through the artists' websites you can sample a lot of their music.  Enjoy!

My Car by Byron Barton
This engaging picture book follows a very simple story line about Sam who loves his car. The pictures are in bold colors and are created through simple shapes. The words are easy to learn an invite even the youngest readers to tell the story by reading the pictures. (Ages 2-5) Check out the Ralph's World song below.
(Full bibliographic info: Barton, Byron. My Car. Greenwillow Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, 2001.)

Drivin' in My Car by Ralph's World
(Full bibliographic info: Ralph's World. Drivin' in My Car. Ralph's World. Minty Fresh, 2001.)

Snip Snap! What's That? by Mara Bergman
This is a story of suspense - an alligator is making its way towards three children. And were the children scared? YOU BET THEY WERE! A fun read aloud that leads to a children’s triumphant win
over the gator. (Ages 3-8) Check out the Cathy Fink song below.
(Full bibliographic info; Bergman, Mara. Snip Snap! What's That? Greenwillow Books, 2005.)

Susie and the Alligator by Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer
(Full bibliographic info: Fink, Cathy and Marcy Marxer. Susie and the Alligator. A Cathy and Marcy Collection for Kids. Rounder, 1994.)

A Child's Good Morning Book by Margaret Wise Brown
Originally published in 1952, this newly illustrated version by Karen Katz is still as relevant to young children as ever.  Written to accompany Good Night Moon, A Child's Good Morning Book wakes up the world through four toddlers.  (Ages 3-5) Check out the Justin Roberts song below.
(Full bibliographic info: Brown, Margaret Wise. A Child's Good Morning Book. Harper Collins, 2009.)

Great Big Sun by Justin Roberts
(Full bibliographic info: Roberts, Justin. Great Big Sun. Great Big Sun. Carpet Square Records, 2001.)



Walter the Baker by Eric Carle
This tale tells the story of how pretzels came to be - at least it's Eric Carle's pretend version in the land of kings and queens.  (Ages 4-9)  Check out the Laurie Berkner song below.
(Full bibliographic info: Carle, Eric. Walter the Baker. Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers, 1995.)

Pretzel Store by Laurie Berkner
(Full bibliographic info: Berkner, Laurie. Pretzel Store. Buzz Buzz. Two Tomatoes, 2001.)

The Tub People by Pam Conrad
Told through the eyes of the tub toys, a family is broken apart when a tub toy child slips down the drain.  You'll have to read to find out if they are reunited.  This really is one not to be missed.  (Ages 4-8) Check out the Raffi song below. 
(Full bibliographic info: Conrad, Pam. The Tub People. Harper and Row, 1989.)

Bathtime by Raffi
(Full bibliographic info: Raffi. Bathtime. Everything Grows. Rounder, 1996.)

What Pet to Get? by Emma Dodd
As Jack is trying to determine what the best pet would be, each suggestion to his mother is more outrageous than the last.  What pet should he get?  (Ages 4-8) Check out the Ralph's World song below.  
(Full bibliographic info: Dodd, Emma. What Pet to Get? Arthur A. Levine Books, 2008.)

Animal Friends by Ralph's World
(Full bibliographic info: Ralph's World. Animal Friends. Ralph's World. Minty Fresh, 2001.)

In the Rain with Baby Duck by Amy Hest
"Oh the rain came down. It poured and poured. And Baby Duck as mad."  But she always loves those pancakes on Sundays at Grandpa's house, so off she plods through the mud and water.  Through Grandpa's loving touch, Baby learns that she, too, can love a rainy day.  (Ages 2-5)  Check out the Laura Doherty song below.
(Full bibliographic info: Hest, Amy. In the Rain with Baby Duck. Candlewick Press, 1995.)

If All of the Raindrops by Laura Doherty
(Full bibliographic info: Doherty, Laura. If All of the Raindrops. Songs for Wiggleworms. Old Town School of Music, 2000.)


Titch by Pat Hutchins
Titch was little.  And even though he's trying to keep up with his big sister, Mary and his bigger brother, Pete, Titch is still little.  Titch is the inspiring, classic story for all of those little ones to show them what they CAN do.  (Ages 2-5) Check out the Julie Frost song below.  
(Full bibliographic info: Hutchins, Pat. Titch. Macmillan, 1971.)

I Am Just So Big by Julie Frost
(Full bibliographic info: Frost, Julie. I Am Just So Big. Happy Child Music. CD Baby, 2006.)



Hug a Bug by Eileen Spinelli
Sometimes don't you just want to hug the whole world?  Through Eileen Spinelli's new book, you can watch one little girl try!  Filled with simple text and bouncy illustrations, this is one story book to enjoy.  (Ages 2-5) Check out the Hans Mayer song below.
(Full bibliographic info: Spinelli, Eileen.  Hug a Bug. Harper Collins, 2008.)

Just a Little Hug by Hans Mayer
(Full bibliographic info: Mayer, Hans. Just a Little Hug. Just a Little Hug. 1996.)


Let's Go Visiting by Sue Williams
A follow up to I Went Walking, Let's Go Visiting is a very simple counting book that introduces several animals to a lively child.  (Ages 1-5)  And check out the Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer song below. 
(Full bibliographic info: Williams, Sue. Let's Go Visiting. Harcourt Brace, 1998.)

Grandpa's Farm by Cathy Fink and Marcy Marxer
(Full bibliographic info: Fink, Cathy and Marcy Marxer. Grandpa's Farm. A Cathy and Marcy Collection for Kids. Rounder, 1994.)
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2 comments:

  1. What an excellent idea! I loved your links and had such fun listening to some of the songs.I also loved your point about helping kids make connections about their world.

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  2. Great post! I am so quick to make the connection between books and art projects/teacher lead activities I have ignored this avenue. Thank you so much for this, love it!

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