Friday, November 30, 2012

Having Fun Saving Reviews READING ROCKS!


Reading Rocks By Johnette Downing

by TRACY on NOVEMBER 28, 2012 · 0 COMMENTS
in REVIEW
reading rocks by johnette downing
Reading Rocks By Johnette Downing
I had the opportunity to review the CD Reading Rocks! By Johnette Downing.  I know I have told you guys that I usually prefer to listen to CDs in the car than the radio with the kiddos.  The lyrics in some of the songs on the main stations aren’t always the ones I want the kids singing too.
Plus, Steven has a CD player in his room and he likes to fall asleep to music every night.  I love it – I think it’s an adorable habit :)
Most recently he has been enjoying Reading Rocks!.
It is by Johnette Downing, she is a multi-award-winning New Orleans singer/songwriter, children’s musician, and children’s book author. She gets kids jazzed about reading with her 10th studio CD, Reading Rocks! It is about 49 minutes long and seems to be best for kids ages 2 – 8.
Two years in the making, Reading Rocks! is Johnette Downing’s first album to combine spoken word with music. The CD interweaves readings from five of Johnette’s beloved picture books, including her newest, Why the Possum Has a Large Grin (Pelican Publishing, fall 2012), with eleven lively songs that range in style from bluegrass to rock, as well as finger plays and limericks, all designed to motivate youngsters and reluctant readers to roll into the library and bop into books.  Check out the You Tube video here – it’s really cute :)
With Reading Rocks!, Johnette hopes to get kids up and reading, too!  Where can you find this FUN CD?  Right on Amazon.com!
The very first tip Johnette offers in presentations is, “If you want your child to read, read.” This simple, but true, insight is at the heart of Reading Rocks!

Monday, November 26, 2012

Outnumbered 3 to 1: Reading Rocks - Singing Storytime with Johnette Do...

Check out this great review of READING ROCKS!
Outnumbered 3 to 1: Reading Rocks - Singing Storytime with Johnette Do...: Multi-award-winning New Orleans singer/songwriter, children's musician, and children's book author Johnette Downing gets kids jazzed abo...

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Milk N' Honey Learn and Grow Reviews READING ROCKS!

Reading Rocks by Johnette Downing CD Review


Johnette Downing has a unique ability to combine story with song. She is passionate about reading and sings about it! Johnette's new album "Reading Rocks" is a compilation of stories, songs and fingerplays specifically highlighting reading as the key to helping young ones ignite their imaginations and soar into the land where books are friends. I love how she uses voice inflections for different characters in her stories. The stories are funny and they teach lessons as well. Johnette's New Orleans blues and jazz music along with her friendly voice will endear any reluctant reader to pick up a book and read!


-Milk N Honey Learn and Grow
http://milknhoneylearnandgrow.blogspot.com/2012/10/reading-rocks-by-johnette-downing-cd.html





Le Jouet Reading and Signing

I am reading and signing WHY THE POSSUM HAS A LARGE GRIN today as well as my other books and CDs at Le Jouet on Airline Drive in Metairie, LA today from 4-5. Come by and grin with us!

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

KAOS Olympia 89.3 FM

WHY THE CRAWFISH LIVES IN THE MUD aired on KAOS Olympia 89.3 FM Radio in Olympia, Washington. Check it out at: Olympia, Washington!


Monday, November 12, 2012

Chic N Savvy Reviews READING ROCKS!


I love the mixtures of the music and story time. One track will tell a story and the next will get your kids up and dance. I have never seen or heard a CD with both and my kids and I love it. If they get to wild in the car I just pop that CD in and all is calm.. it’s great!

-Chicnsavvy Reviews

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Fox 8 TV WVUE - Interview with Author and Musician Johnette Downing

I had the great pleasure of being a special guest on Fox 8 TV WVUE today to talk about my WHY THE POSSUM HAS A LARGE GRIN book and my READING ROCKS! CD. Here is the link to the segment.

http://www.fox8live.com/video?clipId=7872173&topVideoCatNo=230843&autoStart=true

Bless Their Hearts Mom Reviews WHY THE POSSUM HAS A LARGE GRIN


Book Review: Why the Possum has a Large Grin by Johnette Downing

BTHM WTFY 2012 button



 Today we have a book review from one of our favorite Artists- Johnette Downing, 
who not only writes childrens books, she sings at many of Kiddo's favorite functions, 
like the Monster Mash and Boo To Do in NOLA. Check out her website for her songs!


Why the Possum has a Large Grin cover


Synopsis: Move over Bre'r Rabbit, there's a new trickster in town! When hungry Deer asks Possum how he stays so plump during the long dry season, the sly marsupial gets an idea. It wouldn't take much for Possum to help Deer; he could just climb that ol' persimmon tree and knock down the fruit. But Possum is just plain lazy and he'd rather trick Deer into doing the work for both of them. Once Possum decides to take advantage of his starving neighbor they both become marked forever.

Review: Kiddo LOVED this book! She loves fables, so I knew this native Choctawlegend would entrance her and it did! She laughed her way through the book, commenting on how 'bad' possum was being, and couldn't wait to get back to school to tell the boys in her class, how deers REALLY got their antlers! I had to laugh at that! Like all of Downing's books, this book is adorable and very kid friendly! This is a great book for boys AND girls, especially those that love wildlife!

About the Author: Johnette Downing is an award-winning, internationally recognized singer and songwriter. Her many accolades include six Parents' Choice Awards, four iParenting Media Awards, and four National Parenting Publication Awards. She wrote and illustrated There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Bugs, My Aunt Came Back from Louisiane, Why the Crawfish Lives in the Mud, andAmazon Alphabet and is the author of Chef Creole, Down in Louisiana, Why the Oyster Has the Pearl, Today Is Monday in Louisiana, Today Is Monday in Texas, Today Is Monday in New York, and Today Is Monday in Kentucky. Downing lives in New Orleans, Louisiana.

About the Illustrator: Christina Wald specializes in illustration and toy, giftware, and product design. Wald graduated from the
University of Cincinnati, College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning with a BS in industrial design. She is the illustrator of Pelican's Annie Jump Cannon, Astronomer. Wald lives in Cincinnati, Ohio. 

Friday, October 19, 2012

Family Focus Blog Reviews "Reading Rocks!"


Reading Rocks Kids Music CD Giveaway
Thursday, October 18, 2012 19:02
Multi-award-winning New Orleans singer/songwriter, children’s musician, and children’s book authorJohnette Downing gets kids jazzed about reading with her 10th studio CD, Reading Rocks! (Wiggle Worm Records, $15.00, run time 49 minutes, for ages 2 – 8.)  Being that I grew up largely in Cajun Country, I couldn’t resist this CD for my kids to get some Lousiana heritage and spice.  As an added bonus, the CD gets them jazzed about reading and it has all the lyrics printed so you can read along to them.Family Focus Blog offers informative articles on going green, family fun, travel, food, parenting, and giveaways!

Reading Rocks! is Johnette Downing’s first album to combine spoken word with music.  The CD interweaves readings from five of Johnette’s beloved picture books, including her newest, Why the Possum Has a Large Grin (Pelican Publishing, fall 2012), with eleven lively songs that range in style from bluegrass to rock.  “If you want your child to read, read,” says Downing.   This simple insight is at the heart of Reading Rocks!
Johnette Downing has won twenty-one national awards, including honors from Parents’ Choice, NAPPA, iParenting Media, Parents’ Guide to Children’s Media, Family Choice Awards, and Family Review Center.
Praise For Reading Rocks CD:
“With her signature mix of Dixieland jazz, Cajun, Creole, and zydeco rhythms, Downing creates an irresistible musical jubilee.”
– Los Angeles Times
“Bonnie Raitt move over!  There’s a new(er) blues belter in town.  And she’s easy on the ears.  New Orleans singer-songwriter Johnette Downing has a velvet set of pipes, but instead of using them to sing of men who’ve done her wrong, she’s belting out tunes about penguins and stingrays, crawfish and hermit crabs.”
– Education.com
My 5 and 7 year old love listening to Reading Rocks when they go to bed at night.  Their favorite story song is “Why the oyster has its pearl.”
Check out Johnette’s website at http://johnettedowning.com
Reading Rocks Kids Music CD Giveaway Details:

One lucky reader will win one Reading Rocks Kids Music CD by Johnette Downing ($15 value).
Reading Rocks CD Giveaway Dates:  October 18- November 2, 2012 Midnight CST
How to Enter:  Enter through rafflecopter- just sign into the widget and click the entries you want to complete. (If you want to express your opinion on the giveaway entry form, please do so in this poll.

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Top Selling Kids Album on CDBaby- Reading Rocks!

It keeps getting better! Reading Rocks! is listed as the #1 Top Selling Kids CD and #8 Top Selling CD overall (across all genres) on CDBaby.com! Wow!!! I am speechless! Just glad I'm not songless!!!

Thanks so much to everyone who is buying this CD! This ROCKS!!!

READING ROCKS! Sells Out in One Month!

Okay, so this is the coolest thing ever. My READING ROCKS! CD is sold out in one month! We just ordered the second printing and it will be in a week or so. This has never happened to me before and it  is just awesome. My Gumbo Pot CD sold out in six months and that has been the bar for me until now. I am just thrilled and so grateful to everyone who is playing the song on the radio and who is buying it in buckets!


KMUN Astoria 91.9 FM Plays tunes from Reading Rocks!

KMUN Astoria 91.9 FM, Coast Community Radio aired my WHY THE OYSTER HAS THE PEARL and my OYSTER LIMERICK from my new CD READING ROCKS!

Check it out!

http://spinitron.com/radio/playlist.php?station=kmun&playlist=5775

Monday, October 15, 2012

A Bug CD Your Kids Will Love! - Review on Chester McBug.com

A Bug CD your kids will love!


Posted on October 12, 2012 by Rebecca Boogie Woogie Bugs by Johnette Downing

I was fortunate enough to attend a dinner party last month where I met a woman (and musician) who told me about this awesome bug-themed CD out there for kids. I was very excited to get it because I knew Zev would be over the moon about the news. So now here we are about a month later and I find myself grinning from ear to ear whenever I listen to Boogie Woogie Bugs. Johnette Downing is a multi-award winning musician, author and global educator. She has earned numerous awards, way too many for me to name here, but you can see that list along with a complete bio on her website at www.johnettedowning.com.

Downing has a gorgeous voice and the instrumented musicians are also fabulous. She makes use of all sorts of genres depending on what each song calls for, including blues, bluegrass, country, jazz and probably more that I am not even able to identify.
What impresses me most about the CD is that Downings’ songs actually teach kids about bugs. In the melodious “Mariposa” she introduces the children to a beautiful word in a new language (for those kids whose first language is not Spanish). In “Head, Thorax, Abdomen” she repeats the technical names of the bug’ body parts to ensure we remember them. Rhymes and songs are such great ways for kids (and adults, really) to memorize material in a fun way without making it seem like work. In “Twenty Bees” she counts backwards for a quick math lesson. The song “Arachnid” teaches the technical name for spiders. In “Bug Band” she sings about and names the bugs–katydids, cicadas and crickets that come out at night to play beautiful music for us.

The main reason my son Zev is so excited about Boogie Woogie Bugs is that he loves to laugh at silly things. And some of these songs are indeed very silly! Funny lyrics in general seem to be a big winner with kids. Some of the funny ones on this album include, “Bed Bugs”, “Cockroach”, “Ants in your Pants”, and “There was an Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Bugs”. Here is a direct quote from Zev: “My favorite song is when the lady swallowed all the bugs! That one is so funny.”

Most of the songs on this album are her originals but she has spiced up a few traditional numbers that you will recognize such as “Itsy Bitsy Spider”, “There was an Old Lady who Swallowed some Bugs”, “Five Little Butterflies” and “Skip to My Lou.” In these songs, she transforms original lyrics into fun and educational contemporary tunes.
Lastly, Downing subtly conveys the message that bugs deserve our admiration and respect. This even includes the bugs that aren’t cute, handsome or cuddly. I want my kids to learn to be empathic toward all living creatures, whether they are the adorable loveable ones or the scary ugly ones. It’s never too early to teach empathy. In her song “Cockroach” the melancholy cockroach sings the blues to describe her loneliness. She doesn’t have any friends she explains, because everyone is afraid of roaches. She sadly laments, “I’m a roach. A loveable, wanna be huggable cockroach.”
I’m not a kid, but for the record, my favorite song on the album is “Bug Band.” The melody is really catchy which makes it easy to sing right along with this song. I also think the lyrics are super creative. I have always loved listening to the sound of bugs chirping away or rubbing their wings together at night. There is something so comforting and peaceful about those sounds. Thanks to this song I feel like I can actually see a visual image in my mind of those bugs together playing in a backyard bug band together. What an original, creative idea!
If you are lucky enough to live (or be traveling) near any of these locations, you can see Johnette Downing live or for a book signing at these dates and places:
October 2012
■October 12 at 11:00, Concert, New Orleans Jazz Park Visitors Center, New Orleans, LA

■October 12 at 12:00-1:00, Book Signing, Tisket A Tasket Book Shop, Decatur, New Orleans, LA

■October 19, Concert, Boo at the Zoo, New Orleans, LA

■October 20 at 11:00, Concert, Monster Mash, Covington, LA

■October 20 at 3:00, Guest Concert Appearance, Jr. Ranger CD Release Party, The Old US Mint, New Orleans, LA

■October 20, Concert, Boo at the Zoo, Cool Zoo Toddler Stage, Audubon Zoo, New Orleans, LA

■October 26, Concert, Boo at the Zoo, Cool Zoo Toddler Stage, Audubon Zoo, New Orleans, LA

■October 27, Author Presentation & Book Signing, Louisiana Book Festival, Baton Rouge, LA

■October 27, Concert, Boo at the Zoo, Cool Zoo Toddler Stage, Audubon Zoo, New Orleans, LA

November 2012
■November 2 at 11:00, Concert, New Orleans Jazz Park Visitors Center, New Orleans, LA

■November 2 at 12:00-1:00, Book Signing, Tisket A Tasket Book Shop, Decatur, New Orleans, LA

■November 3-7, Workshop Tour, Conference, Guatemala City, Guatemala

■November 9, Author Presentation and Book Signing, Kids Day, Kentucky Book Fair, Frankfort, KY

■November 11 at 1:30 & 3:30, Concerts, Three Rivers Art Festival, Covington, LA

■November 18, Book Signing, Po’boy Festival, New Orleans, LA

■November 19-28, MA

This CD would make a fabulous gift for any child, especially for those who are bug lovers! And if they aren’t already, they will be after listening to this album! If you are interested in buying this CD, here it is on Amazon.com:

Boogie Woogie Bugs by Johnette Downing

For more information on this CD or any other music or books by Johnette Downing, please visit her website at www.johnettedowning.com.

This entry was posted in Movies and Music by Rebecca on Chester McBug, http://www.chestermcbug.com/

Sunday, October 7, 2012

The All-Ages Radio Show Plays songs from Reading Rocks!

My song "There Once Was a Boy Named Cary" aired on The All-Ages Radio show in NJ at http://www.wprb.com/printplaylist.php?show_id=26648


Friday, October 5, 2012

Dad of Divas Reviews WHY THE POSSUM HAS A LARGE GRIN on Amazon.com


Five Star Review

WHY THE POSSUM HAS A LARGE GRIN

Possum is a trickster. He convinces a hungry deer to run into a tree so the persimmons will drop and they will enjoy a feast to satisfy their hunger. Deer receives two bumps on his head due to the encounter with the tree and possum just laughs and laughs as this occurs. His smile stays on his face. Deer's two bumps become the spots where his antlers grow.
This traditional Chocktaw tale will delight you and your child.

-By Dad of Divas, www.amazon.com

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

As They Grow Up Reviews "Reading Rocks!"


Reading Rocks! by Johnette Downing #WIN

Sunday, September 30, 2012
Reading is COOL!  We are a family of readers.  I encourage my kids to read in their spare time as well as require it with their school work.  Both of my big boys read six books in September.  I was hoping for 10 but six is good!  The album Reading Rocks! by Johnette Downing features a mix of songs and stories.  While the theme is reading there are a few songs like Today is Monday in New York that are not about reading (Loved this song!). 

About:

Two years in the making, ReadingRocks! is Johnette Downing's first album to combine spoken word with music. The CD interweaves readings from five of Johnette's beloved picture books, including her newest, Why the Possum Has a Large Grin (Pelican Publishing, fall 2012), with eleven lively songs that range in style from bluegrass to rock, as well as finger plays and limericks, all designed to motivate youngsters and reluctant readers to roll into the library and bop into books.

READING ROCKS! TRACK LIST:
  1. Reading Rocks!
  2. Open a Book Finger Play
  3. Today is Monday in Kentucky
  4. Why the Oyster Has the Pearl
  5. Oyster Limerick
  6. R*E*A*D
  7. Story Time
  8. The Colors of the Sky
  9. Why the Crawfish Lives in the Mud
  10. Reach Every Achievement Desired
  11. There Once Was a Boy Named Cary
  12. Read to Me
  13. Principal's Desk
  14. Why the Possum Has a Large Grin
  15. Readers are Leaders
  16. Today is Monday in New York
  17. Do-do (Sleep) My Child
Be sure to visit Johnette Downing's website for additional information!


My Thoughts:

I loved the flow of this CD.  Perfect for the car rides because the stories are a nice break in the music.  Do-do (Sleep) My Child is a beautiful lullaby.  While the title implies this cd is all about rock it is really has a more laid back mellow feel.  The songs have a bit of a southern vibe which I really loved. This CD is a wonderful addition to my music library ~ I'm loving sharing songs that encourage a love of reading with my kids.

Play That Now Features "Reading Rocks!"


Singing Storytime with a Dash of Louisiana Spice from New Orleans Kids’ Musician Johnette Downing – “Reading Rocks!” – New CD due out Nov. 20

Reading Rocks!Multi-award-winning New Orleans singer/songwriter, children’s musician, and children’s book author Johnette Downing gets kids jazzed about reading with her 10th studio CD, Reading Rocks! (Wiggle Worm Records, $15.00, run time 49 minutes, for ages 2 – 8.)
Two years in the making, Reading Rocks! is Johnette Downing’s first album to combine spoken word with music. The CD interweaves readings from five of Johnette’s beloved picture books, including her newest, Why the Possum Has a Large Grin (Pelican Publishing, fall 2012), with eleven lively songs that range in style from bluegrass to rock, as well asfinger plays and limericks, all designed to motivate youngsters and reluctant readers to roll into the library and bop into books.
Johnette Downing, who brings a dash of “Louisiana Spice” to her concerts worldwide, has been praised by Gambit Weekly for “her ability to translate Louisiana music into mini-parties for her kid fans. In the great Louisiana tradition, Johnette sees her role not just as a performer, but as a spark to get her audiences up and dancing.” WithReading Rocks!, Johnette hopes to get kids up and reading, too!
Writing and performing music for children has been Johnette Downing’s passion since 1990; the first of her ten CDs was recorded in 1992 and the first of her twelve children’s books was published in 2006. In addition to maintaining a full schedule as a performer and author, Johnette Downing is an educator who travels the world teaching parents and other educators how to use music to foster a love of reading. The very first tip she offers in her presentations is, “If you want your child to read,read.” This simple, but true, insight is at the heart of Reading Rocks!

- Play That Now 

"Reading Rocks" Rocks Radios Across North America

Songs and readings from my Reading Rocks! CD is rocking the airways in North America on the following stations:


T-Bone's Radio Active Kids on Asheville-FM, Asheville, NC:

KAOS Olympia 89.3 FM, Olympia, Washington

The Brent & Woofy Radio show (a Canadian show, on CHLY-FM, Nanaimo, BC)
http://www.bbshows.ca/radioshow/bwrs-playlist.htm#195

Thanks for the airplay! You Rock!

NewOrleansLocal.com - CD & Book Release Party at Maple Street Books


IT’S SINGING STORYTIME GONE FUN! JOHNETTE DOWNING’S ‘READING ROCKS!’ CD & BOOK RELEASE PARTY

Award-Winning New Orleans Children’s Musician & Author Gets Kids Jazzed About Reading

Oct. 13 – Maple Street Book Shop -New Orleans
“With her signature mix of Dixieland jazz, Cajun, Creole, and zydeco rhythms, Downing creates an irresistible musical jubilee.” – Los Angeles Times 
New Orleans native Johnette Downing whips up a savory jambalaya of blues-and Dixie-flavored tunes.” – FamilyFun Magazine
Multi-award-winning New Orleans singer/songwriter, children’s musician, and children’s book author JohnetteDowning gets kids jazzed about reading with her 10th studio CDReading Rocks!The album interweaves eleven lively songs with readings from five of Johnette’s beloved picture books, including her newest trickster tale, Why the Possum Has a Large Grin. 
To celebrate the album’s release and the book’s publication, Johnette invites families to bop into books and swing into song at a rockin’ and rollin’ CD and Book Release Party at 11:30 a.m. onSaturday, October 13 at Maple Street Book Shop7529 Maple Street, New Orleans.
Fans can look forward to a singing storytime gone fun, as Johnette reads from Why the Possum Has a Large Grin and sings a sampling of songs from Reading Rocks! Refreshments, crafts, prizes, and giveaways are sure to have little partygoers grinning from ear to ear.
Johnette Downing, who brings a dash of “Louisiana Spice” to her concerts worldwide, has been praised by Gambit Weekly for “her ability to translate Louisiana music into mini-parties for her kid fans. In the great Louisiana tradition, Johnette sees her role not just as a performer, but as a spark to get her audiences up and dancing.” With Reading Rocks!, Johnette hopes to get kids up and reading, too!
Writing and performing music for children has been Johnette Downing’s passion since 1990; the first of her ten CDs was recorded in 1992, and the first of her twelve children’s books was published in 2006. In addition to maintaining a full schedule as a performer and author, Johnette Downing is an educator who travels the world teaching parents and other educators how to use music to foster a love of reading. The very first tip she offers in her presentations is, “If you want your child to read, read.” This simple, but true, insight is at the heart of Reading Rocks!
Johnette Downing has won twenty-one national awards, including honors from Parents’ Choice,NAPPAiParenting MediaParents’ Guide to Children’s MediaFamily Choice Awards, andFamily Review Center.
Dubbed a “Musical Ambassador to Children” and a “Pied Piper for Louisiana music traditions,” Johnette brings the spicy flavors of her home state to live performances and workshops around the world, in venues in Egypt, Morocco, Kuwait, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama, Guatemala, Indonesia and the Philippines. She is dedicated to celebrating childhood, nurturing cultural exchanges, and fostering learning, language, and literacy through her music, books andeducator workshops.  
WHAT: JohnetteDowning’s Rockin’ and Rollin’ CD and Book Release PartyWHERE: Maple Street Book Shop, 7529 Maple Street, New Orleans, LAWHEN: Saturday, October 13. 11:30 a.m.ADMISSION: FreeINFO: 504-866-4916 or 504-861-2105. people@maplestreetbookshop.com
http://maplestreetbookshop.com  
http://johnettedowning.com
-NewOrleansLocal.com