When Marian Sang

It was her range of notes

that caused all the commotion.

With one breath she sounded like rain,

sprinkling high notes in the morning sun.

And with the next she was thunder,

resounding the deep in a dark sky. (Ryan) 

As this Lenten Season comes to a close, I recommend the moving bio of Marian Anderson called When Marian Sang written by Pam Munoz Ryan and illustrated by Brian Selznnick (c. 2002).  Our library includes the audio recording, making it a spellbinding experience to hear Anderson as she sings in that majestic contralto voice . . . her voice was distinct -- strong and velvety and able to climb more than twenty-four notes (Ryan).

Listen to one of America's greatest singers; listen and be moved by the story of Marian Anderson, accompanied by her remarkable voice singing songs ranging from spirituals to opera.

Marian Anderson singing at the Lincoln Memorial on Easter Sunday, April 9, 1939

Over in the Meadow

I have another folk-song turned into book for you today.  John Langstaff's retelling of Over in the Meadow (c. 1957) begs to be checked out due to Feodor Rojankovsky's gorgeous, lifelike illustrations.   In fact, I was going to scan more illustrations to share with you.  However, here's the problem: I can't decide which ones to share.  So you'll have to content yourself with the cover jacket until you're able to check this beauty out of your local library.

Since you're familiar with this old counting song, I'll only include the first stanza to jog your memory:
              Over in the meadow in the sand in the sun
              Lived an old mother turtle and her little turtle one.
              "Dig," said the mother, "I did," said the one;
              So he dug and was glad in the sand in the sun. 

Once you check out Over in the Meadow, you'll want to see more of Rojankovsky's illustrations.  I recommend the 1956 Caldecott Award Winning  Frog Went A-Courtin', a familiar Southern Appalachian ballad, originally written over four-hundred years ago in Scotland.

The Fox went out on a chilly night

A perfect read for this time of year especially, Peter Spier brings this folk song to life in his Caldecott Honor book THE FOX went out on a chilly night (c. 1961).  It's a circle of life song not at all for the fainthearted.

After the lively, amusing reading, I recommend listening to Nickel Creek's adaption.  You won't at all be disappointed!

Debra and Jessica, this one is especially dedicated to your families, with love!  I can't listen to this song (or read this book) without thinking of "Mimi" singing it to her children and then her grandchildren, as well as her Shanghai and Horizon audiences.

The fox went out on a chilly night,
And he prayed to the moon to give him light,
For he'd many a mile to go that night
Before he reached the town-o, town-o, town-o,
For he'd many a mile to go that night
Before he reached the town-o.

He ran 'til he came to the farmer's bin,
Where the ducks and the geese were kept therein
"A couple of you will grease my chin
Before I leave this town-o, town-o, town-o
A couple of you will grease my chin
Before I leave this town-o."

He grabbed a grey goose by the neck,
Then he swung a little one over his back
And he didn't mind their quack, quack, quack
Or their legs all dangling down-o, down-o, down-o
He didn't mind the quack, quack, quack
Or their legs all dangling down-o.

Old Mother Giggle-Gaggle jumped out of bed
Out of the window she popped her head
Crying, "John, John, the grey goose is gone
And the fox is on the town-o, town-o, town-o
Crying, "John, John the grey goose is gone
And the fox is on the town-o.

So John, he ran to the top of the hill,
Blew his horn both loud and shrill;
The fox, he said, "I better go on with my kill
Or they'll soon be on my tail-o, tail-o, tail-o."
The fox, he said, "I better go on with my kill
Or they'll soon be on my trail-o."

He ran till he came to his nice warm den
There were the little ones eight, nine, ten
Saying, "Daddy, Daddy, better go back again
For it must be a mighty fine town-o, town-o, town-o."
Saying, "Daddy, Daddy, better go back again for it
Must be a mighty fine town-o."

Then the fox and his wife, without any strife
Cut-up the goose with a fork and a knife
They never had such a supper in their life
And the little ones chewed on the bones-o, bones-o, bones-o.
They never had such a supper in their life
And the little ones chewed on the bones-o.

Jerry Pinkney

You MUST check out Jerry Pinkney's books.  This is a non-negotiable.  You're going to fall in love with his illustrations.  The cover jackets do not begin to give this artist credit.  His illustrations are haunting in that they remain imprinted in your mind.

For the pure enjoyment of illustration, try The Lion and the Mouse.  Since it doesn't contain any text, it's a fun book to have your children narrate to you.  Enjoy what they come up with!

I would also suggest the book entitled God Bless the Child.  You'll be intrigued by Pinkney's interpretation of Billie Holiday's song.  Don't neglect to listen to a recording of Holiday singing "God Bless the Child."

My kids liked The Ugly Duckling, Little Red Riding Hood, The Little Red Hen, and Noah's Ark; yes, honestly, the list could go on and on (for a complete listing, refer to the website below).  Look into what your library or bookstore (because you will want to own a Pinkney) has available.  I would love to hear your feedback about which ones are your family's favorite!

Note: take time to surf through Pinkney's website: http://www.jerrypinkneystudio.com/frameset.html   And when you do, please click on "Learning Differences" -- you'll be amazed!  Also, I think it's noteworthy that Pinkney has won several Caldecott Medals & Honors!

Vivaldi's Four Seasons

The seasons tend to strongly impact my book choices.  I get all excited anticipating a season, and check out tons of books to bide the time of those few last weeks when the present season has exhausted all of its initial delights.

So let me share with you the wonderful experience that presented itself last spring.  We discovered that musicians from our town's symphony/orchestra come monthly to our local library to introduce instruments from a different section of the symphony in correspondence with a book read by an artist from the children's theater.  Were we in for a treat!!!  We saw the stringed quintet playing selections from Antonio Vivaldi's Four Seasons Concerto while the book I, Vivaldi by Janice Shefelman, illustrated by Tom Shefelman was read.  I had chills just watching my children experience it all!

I strongly recommend you check out this book!  We were put on a waiting list for months before we were able to take it home.  The illustrations are beautiful and the story wonderful.  My mom had me come to her class and reenact the whole thing (with my trusty CD this time).  So when you check out I, Vivaldi, be sure to check out Vivaldi's Four Seasons to play in the background as you read.  You won't regret it!