Sunny Day: A Celebration of the Sesame Street Theme Song

     There is a certain sense of comfort in those moments when we are able to relieve memories from our childhood.  Especially during times in our lives when they are in flux.  Recently, my husband and I are currently experiencing a rite of passage that numerous parents go through-  our son has recently left our cozy nest to fly with his mighty wings forward to college, and the uncertain feelings that this time brings.  Granted, while our boy is only an hour away from us, and he has been returning home for weekends on a bi-weekly basis, we can't help but notice the new quietness that has filled our home, and the uneasiness that it tends to fill us with.
      So, at night, after long, hectic, and often times, tiring days at work for us both, to break this feeling that we tend to both share, my husband and I find comfort in trips back to our childhood- recently rediscovering old episodes of the classic cartoons and television shows that we both watch when we were small.  However momentary they are, these classic beloved shows provide us with an escape from the day, and help us as we begin a new phase in our life as a family.  They fill the soul with timeless joy, a feeling that came over me when I read Sunny Day: A Celebration of the Sesame Street Theme Song.

   
























     The nostalgic, truly iconic theme song is vivid brought to life through the pages filled with beautifully touching illustrations.  Astute eyes will notice bright yellow rubber duckies, colorful cookies- sweet nods to the beloved series.  You, just like me, will find yourself grinning ear to ear while humming and/or singing along to the words.
     A perfect addition to your home library either for your little one or for those of us still a child at heart, Sunny Day: A Celebration of the Sesame Street Theme Song, is an absolute treasure.



Sunny Day: A Celebration of the Sesame Street Theme Song
Written By Joe Raposo & Illustrated by Various Artists
Random House Books for Young Readers
For Ages 4 thru 8
www.rhcbooks.com

Happy November!!

Happy November!!

I am so happy to be back and start sharing more tales for your little ones with you!  

     Please take a moment to check out the latest news and Fall tales coming straight from our friends in Bear Country!

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Miss Little Bea Sharp

    Anything is possible- it all begins with a belief and faith in yourself, discovers Miss Little Bea Sharp, on her journey to find out exactly what defines her aspirations and soul, in this sweet tale from Central Florida author Jessica Rosen. 

     As our tale begins, Miss Little Bea Sharp finds herself slightly confused about exactly which type of music fits her.  Surrounded by unique sounds of jazz, classics and contemporary, she starts to feel overwhelmed as the choice is not an easy one for a little musical note like her to make all by herself.  Guided by her friend, Treble Cleft, the two embark on a lyrically delightful journey to "Musical Land." Starting right from the depths of the "Blues Bayou" , where Miss Little Bea Sharp sees and hears how, "blues can make your heart soar or it can make your heart sigh." to the distant, island shores of Tropical Isle, where the sounds of the soothing calypso start to ease her apprehension of finding just the right melodious fit.
     David R. Martinez's illustrations are appealing and highlight the story line in a simple, yet whimsically imaginative way.   A perfect read aloud at bedtime with your little ones, or in your classroom, everyone of all ages will easily relate to Rosen's inspiring, yet timeless message that you can be anything that you want to be with a little bit of help along the way on your journey.  I look forward to seeing and reading future adventures of Miss Little Bea Sharp!


***Momma's Note:  For further information on Miss Little Bea Sharp and to stay up-to-date with her author, Jessica Rosen, please visit: Misslittlebeasharp.com. 

Miss Little Bea Sharp
Written by Jessica Rosen & Illustrated by David R. Martinez
Publisher:  Jessica Rosen (Self-Published) 2017
ISBN: 978-0999676004
Miss Little Bea Sharp available for purchase as a paperback on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Miss-Little-Sharp-Jessica-Rosen/dp/0999676008***

   

Bronzeville Boys and Girls

     During the month of February, I will be featuring spotlights on several tales that celebrate Black History Month.  The origins of Black History Month began during the early 20th century.  During 1915, motivated by his strong desire to put a spotlight on the accomplishments of African-Americans, a historian named Carter G. Woodson founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (presently called the Association for the Study of African American Life and History or ASALH for short). The ASALH quickly established the publication of The Journal of Negro History, and a decade later, Carter Woodson's plan for a week of celebration and activities devoted to African-American history became a reality. On February 7, 1926, the first Negro History Week was held.  Fifty years later, the ASALH expanded the week-long celebration of African American history to a month, and Black History Month began.
      My first spotlight during this historic month long celebration is Bronzeville Boys and Girls. This classic, multicultural collection of 34 poems by the late poet laureate and Pulitzer-Prize winner Gwendolyn Brooks takes it's readers on a trip back in time to the Bronzeville section of Chicago during the 1950s.  Each of these simple poems are narrated from a particular characters point of view- where we learn that every child who lives in Bronzeville  has a story to tell- some are happy tales from characters including "Narcissa", who reminded me of much younger self...

      "...Small Narcissa sits upon 

            A brick in her back yard

           And looks at tiger lilies,

           And shakes her pigtails hard.

          First she is an ancient queen

          in pomp and purple veil.

           Soon she is a singing wind.

            And next, a nightingale."

     Like Narcissa, I too, was content to sit by myself at hours at a time underneath the tall oak trees in my backyard, or at playtime while in grade school, you could also find me sitting up on a hill underneath the windows of my classroom content in daydreaming. My mind would wonder and take my imagination to far off places and adventures just as they do for Narcissa.
      To the innocence on display in "Cynthia in the Snow" which also brought back such sweet memories as it took me back to my childhood grade school, Larkfield Elementary School on Long Island, New York. The illustrations by the acclaimed award-winning artist Faith Ringgold, to this short passage of the sounds, feel and appearance of snow are astonishingly similar to how my old school looked like, complete with the long cement walkway to the front doors, to the huge oak tree standing majestically in the front of the school, and brought back memories of myself and my classmates looking forward to being able to play in the snow at recess time.
     And ultimately, some stories that emphasize the real life struggles that many children, regardless of race, face on a daily basis in our country, that will break your heart heart, as does the entry "John, Who is Poor"

"Oh little children, be good to John!-

Who lives so lone and alone.

Whose Mama must hurry to toil all day.

Whose Papa is dead and done..."

   
     With every poem, it was quite obvious to me how Brooks weaved her masterful lyrical talents throughout this vast collection that showed the beauty, imagination, happiness and yes, heartbreak, of a neighborhood and it's neighbors through the innocent eyes of a child.

Bronzeville Boys and Girls 
Written by Gwendolyn Brooks & Illustrated by Faith Ringgold
Originally published in 1956, now Published by Amistad, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.
For Ages 4 thru 8
Website: www.harpercollinschildrens.com
Retails for 6.99 (paperback)

A Peaceful Garden

     With most of our country in the throws of the harsh winter weather, Lucy London's sunny, charming new tale, A Peaceful Garden, brings it's readers the comforting warmth to our hearts that a garden can always bring to our lives.
     Two sweet cats delight in showing your little ones all of the joys that they will receive (with a little help from you of course!) by planting a garden right at the first signs of Spring.  "To grow a peaceful garden, wait for the last frost (just kiss the cold goodbye!) Now dig yourself a patch..."
     This thoughtful duo remember to highlight the importance of planting other types of seeds that will attract visitors to your garden--- plants that will bring the bees to help pollinate the flower buds; to making sure that the birds who will be sure to stop on by to admire your bounty have a bird bath or two for a few sips of water while on their way.
With easy, short sentences for your beginning readers to get through, to the creatively thoughtful detail brought to this book by Ms. London and her talented illustrator, Christa Pierce , A Peaceful Garden will leave you and your little ones yearning for winter to quickly cease so you can join these kitties in creating your very own tranquil space.


A Peaceful Garden

Written by Lucy London

Illustrated by Christa Pierce

Publisher: Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers (2018)

For Ages 4 thru 8

ISBN: 978-0-06-229747-1

Website: www.harpercollinschildrens.com

A Modest Momma's Tips:

Here are a few good articles that I hope will help you as you start to plan your very own  "Peaceful Garden" with your little ones:

1. https://www.babble.com/toddler/10-tips-for-gardening-with-a-toddler/
2. https://kidsgardening.org/garden-activities/
3. http://www.parenting.com/family-time/activities/10-inspired-gardening-projects-kids

Which Tale From Your Childhood Led You to Become a Reader?

     Looking back, I would have to say that when I discovered Laura Ingalls Wilder's classic, "Little House in the Big Woods," it was the book that made me become a reader.  I would love to know which one was yours! :)

Dear Girl

     This exquisitely eloquent tale, a loving collaboration between the late, and deeply missed Amy Krouse Rosenthal and her daughter, Paris Rosenthal (who has been gifted with her mother's talent of prose that is tinged with hints of the delights of childhood innocence and curiosity) sets out to send an empowering message to little girls everywhere that they should always embrace and learn to love all of their unique characteristics, instead of being afraid to be themselves.  To say that this talented mother and daughter duo have succeeded would be an understatement.  

       I am especially fond of the passage where this eloquent mother and daughter reiterate the healing power of the written word, imploring girls to, "...write down your thoughts once in a while, even if it's just to enjoy the way your pen feels against the paper."  The accompanying image of a little girl surrounded by her words as she is deep in thought, with pen in hand, instantly transported me back to my childhood, where my books, my #2 pencil and my trusty, yet worn, black and white marble composition notebook brought my imagination to life and lifted my spirits during the trials and tribulations of my teenage years.
     Dear Girl  is the perfect literary gift not only for the special little girl in your life but for yourself.  You see, this enlightening tale serves as a sweet, gentle reminder to our adult selves, most especially during those times in our life journey when you can use the uplifting message as found in these pages to always be true to your unique self, and to learn to love all that makes you who you are- inside and out.

Dear Girl
Written by Amy Krouse Rosenthal & Paris Rosenthal
Illustrated by Holly Hatam
Publisher: Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers (2017)
Retails for $17.99 (Hardcover)
ISBN: 978-0-06-242250-7
For Ages 4 thru 8 (and above!)