I had done a picture book years ago for Harcourt–long out of print–called THE LAPTIME SONG AND PLAY BOOK and knew there were many many more lap games then the ones I’d used for that 32 page picture book. (One song or play game per double page makes for a fairly limited selection.) So when Liz Bicknell,
Apple for the Teacher
This is another long story. After having done a bunch of music books with my son Adam in the 80s and 90s, I made a list of other possible interesting collections, and Work Songs was high up on that list. I sent the ideas around to many of my publishers
Sing Noel
The last of four music books I did for Boyds Mills. Adam was wonderful to work with, shipping me off the simple arrangements which I then played on the piano. We figured if I could sight read them, ANYONE could! I picked the songs, wrote the historical notes
Milk and Honey
A compendium of songs, stories, poems and information about the Jewish holidays. The poems are all original, and the stories are all retellings, geared to individual holidays. Adam arranged the music for the traditional songs. Great reviews–and great for holiday giving!
Old MacDonald’s Song Book
The third of four music books I did for Boyds Mills. Adam was wonderful to work with, shipping me off the simple arrangements which I then played on the piano. We figured if I could sight read them, ANYONE could! Many were animal songs I’d taught him when he was a child. I picked the songs, wrote
Songs of Summer
The second of four music books I did for Boyds Mills. Adam was wonderful to work with, shipping me off the simple arrangements which I then played on the piano. We figured if I could sight read them, ANYONE could! I picked the songs, wrote the historical notes. Adam did all the musical arrangements.
Mother Goose Song Book
The first of four music books I did for Boyds Mills. Adam was wonderful to work with, shipping me off the simple arrangements which I then played on the piano. We figured if I could sight read them, ANYONE could! Many were Mother Goose songs I’d taught him when he was a child. I picked the songs, wrote the historical notes.
Hark: A Christmas Sampler
This mammoth collection of stories, songs, poems–and information–about Christmas is defined by its brilliant dePaola pictures. I think it is among the best work Tomie has ever done! Adam and I wrote two new Christmas songs for the book and he arranged a number of popular Christmas carols as well.
Lap Time Song and Play Book, The
Songs and lap games, many of which I played with my own children when they were babies and toddlers, with musical arrangements by my son Adam who is a professional musician. Now I play “Trot, trot to Boston” and “This is the way the farmer rides” and others with my grandbabies. The Tomes art is delicious.
Lullaby Songbook, The
Adam was fifteen, already a fine musician, when we sold this book. These were mostly old lullabies I had sung to the children (including one I composed) so it was a gift to be sending them on in such a lovely package. The pictures by Mikolaycak are gorgeous–warm, loving, beautifully composed. (Aha–a musical pun!)