Mailbox - Letters from Fans and Friends

I love your website and how organized you are! Your programs seem very thorough and fun! You are an inspiration! I am just beginning in this industry and have a lot to learn. ;) I'd love to see you live. Please let me know if you are ever in Florida.

Warmest regards,

Patty Shukla, www.pattyshukla.com

Mailbox - Letters from Fans and Friends

Thank you so much! YOU are quite a lady. I am browsing your site and you are so talented. You certainly thought of everything on your site! Congrats, continued success, and again thanks.

Most Sincerely,

-Kim (Mama Pajama), www.mamapajama.com

Mailbox - Letters from Fans and Friends

"Thank you. It was a pleasure meeting you and my little girl loves your CD. She cant stop dancing and clapping, she want me to play it over and over again. I know your products will do great and you are a very talented lady, best wish and thank you again."

-Craig, KLASSIQ TRANSPORT SERVICE

There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Bugs Advance Review

You won't be swallowing any bugs in Chef John Folse's kitchen, unless of course it's a mudbug, but the beloved Louisiana Chef gave me and my upcoming Bug book a nice quote. Check it out:


"Johnette Downing is a true Louisiana artist. She sings and plays music; she paints; and she loves great Louisiana food. I fell in love with her work a few years ago when she sang “Today is Monday in Louisiana” on my PBS television series. Kudos to Johnette on another great work."

-Chef John Folse, A Taste of Louisiana TV

Store Window of the Week

Congratulations Mignon Sharp Children's Shop for being selected as the STORE WINDOW OF THE WEEK! You have good taste in design (and books!) and have dressed your window with my My Aunt Came Back from Louisiane book, Rodrigue's Blue Dog book and three children in spring plaid and stripes. Can't get much cooler than that!

Here is the photo!

Louisiana Library Association Conference

I had a blast at the Louisiana Library Association Conference in Baton Rouge last week. I had two book signings and conducted one workshop titled Books Sing, Linking Lyrics and Literacy. The workshop participants collaborated on VERY creative versions of my books. Way fun.

Thanks to Caitlin of Pelican Publishing for making my book signing a huge success! Thanks to Dianne and Caitlin for helping out before, during and after my workhop - now that's love! Here is a photo Caitlin took of me and my gal pals, author Dianne de Las Casas and illustrator Holly Barker.

There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Bugs Advance Review

Here is an advance review for my upcoming book There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Bugs:

“As an enthusiast of fractured tales and a big fan of Johnette’s songs and stories, I give Johnette’s new book a big ten thumbs up. Her funny and surprising version gives a new twist to an old favorite. It is ‘kidtastic!’ Read it.”

-Ann L. Davis, Head of Children’s Services, Napa City-County Library, Napa, California


Thanks Ann! You are "kidtastic" too!

My Aunt Came Back from Louisiane Video

Videographer mistress fabulous aka Pre-K teacher Lisa Wainwright strikes again with another video of one of my books. This time, she gives us, with deep love and creativity, My Aunt Came Back from Louisiane. Enjoy!

Around Town TV Show Taping

I will be taping an interview for Around Town TV show on March 11. The show airs Sat & Sun at 8 am on Cox 4 at 9 & 11 am and Metro21, Baton Rouge, LA. I'll be discussing my latest books. Tune in!

Johnette on Twitter

You can now follow me on Twitter at:

http://twitter.com/johnettemusic

Tweet, tweet!

Read Across America Week

I enjoyed a great two weeks of performances at schools across Louisiana for Read Across America. I performed at Northwestern Elementary in Zachary, Zachary Elementary in Zachary, St. George's Episcopal School in New Orleans, French Settlement Elementary in French Settlement, Holden School in Holden, Lewis Vincent School in Denham Springs and Our Lady Immaculate in Jennings. Many of the schools went all out, dressing up in the costumes of their favorite book characters. Here is a photo of a teacher from Northwestern Elementary dressed as the Old Lady Who Lived in a Shoe.

Today is Monday in Texas Review

The following review by the ever fabulous Chere Cohen appeared in The Daily Advertiser (Lafayette, LA) and the Monroe News Star (Monroe, LA).

Pelican Publishing of New Orleans has several new children's books out this month, one by award-winning Louisiana children's musician and storyteller, Johnette Downing. Continuing her success with "Today is Monday in Louisiana," Downing has published "Today is Monday in Texas," substituting chicken-fried steak and chili for gumbo. Both books are complemented by the collage-style illustrations by Deborah Ousley Kadair.

-Chere Cohen

Thanks Chere for your wonderful work in getting the word out about children's books and for including my books; much appreciated!!

Tour Schedule - March 2010

March 11 at 9:00, Taping of interview for Around Town TV show, Baton Rouge, LA
March 11 from 2:00-3:00, Book signing, Pelican Publishing Booth, Louisiana Library Association Conference, Baton Rouge, LA
March 11 at 3:30-4:30, Book signing, Louisiana Library Association Conference, Baton Rouge, LA
March 11 at 5:00 p.m., Educator Workshop, Louisiana Library Association Conference, Baton Rouge, LA
March 18, Tots N Tunes, Mandeville, LA
March 19 at 11:00, Family Friendly Fridays Concert Series, National Jazz Park, 916 N St. Peter, New Orleans, LA
March 19 at 12:00-1:00, Book Signing, Tisket A Tasket Book Shop, Decatur St., New Orleans, LA
March 24, Taping of interview for Lifetime TV, Florida
March 28-31, North Carolina

Mailbox - Letters from Fans and Friends

Dear Johnette,

Thank you so much for coming to our school today and performing to our kids. They had a blast. It was such a great pleasure to finally meet you. It's so uplifting to see people have such a positive influence on our children. Best of luck to you and again thank you!

Larissa Maalouli
St. Clement of Rome School

Today Is Monday in Louisiana Video made by a Teacher

A Louisiana teacher named Lisa Wainwright sent me this video she created of my book Today is Monday in Louisiana to use in her Pre-K classroom. It is so cute, I thought I would put it on my Blog so that other people can see it and enjoy it too. Thanks Lisa!

Mailbox - Letters from Fans and Friends

"Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the performance! Thank you for an enjoyable afternoon of music and books. My daughter has also been enjoying the four books I purchased for her."

Jenny Poche
Paulina Elementary

Thanks Jenny! I had a great time too! - Johnette

Mailbox - Letters from Friends and Fans

Johnette,

Thanks so much for letting me join in the fun today. It really put a smile on my face to play with you. What can I say, you're great. Looking forward to seeing you next time.

Bruce Barnes


Thank YOU Bruce! YOU are great! Playing music with you was like the powdered sugar on the beignets! - Johnette

Jazz Park Concert

My concert at the New Orleans Jazz Park was so much fun. The Victory School in Metairie came for a field trip and fans as far away as Houma came just for the show. We had 3 year olds to 73 year olds as a few tourists strolled in to catch the show. The children, teachers and parents had a true cultural experience hearing Louisiana music and walking around the French Market afterwards. The school group went to Cafe du Monde for beignets afterwards; a real treat.

For me, the real treat was playing for the children; and to make it extra special, the fabulously famous Sunpie Barnes joined in the fun on piano on one of my Zydeco songs and one of my Jazz Second Line songs. Wow! What a talent he is! People were coming in off the street to hear and see what was rockin' the Jazz Park!

Word is spreading fast about the concert series. We already have a school group interested in having their field trip for the concert in March, but we'll make room for families and other school groups. Just sign up soon, school groups, so we know how many to expect! The series is sponsored by the French Market Corporation and the New Orleans Jazz Park, so it's free, it's educational, and most importantly, it's fun!

WWOZ Radio Interview

I'll be interviewed on WWOZ Radio show by Jelly Roll in New Orleans tomorrow, February 18, 2010 at 6:00 p.m. about my free Family Friendly Friday in the French Market with Johnette Downing concert at the New Orleans Historic National Jazz Park. Tune in to the live broadcast! Then come to the concert at the Jazz Park on February 19, 2010 at 11:00 in the French Market!

I'm giving away a free gift to the first 30 people who come to the concert!

Also check out "OZ" online at http://www.wwoz.org/

Mailbox - Letters from Fans

"I have been using your scarf cd in storytimes and the kids are enamored! It makes storytime so much more fun."

Barbara Sutton
San Diego County Library

My Birthday in Korea

Here are the photos from my birthday celebration on January 19 in Seoul, Korea. One photo is of Sun-nam and her husband Daniel and the second photo is of the cake they gave me. The final photo is of the flowers my boyfriend Michael sent me in Korea for my birthday.

Thanks Sun-nam, Daniel and Michael for making my birthday abroad a memorable experience.

Wiggle Lane

I am spending Mardi Gras in Carillon Beach, Florida and ran across this street sign. I thought my Wiggle Worm Fan Club would get a kick out of it!

January - Johnette Downing Month

I performed at St. Luke's Episcopal School in Baton Rouge, LA last week and was shocked to discover that January was Johnette Downing Month at their school! I couldn't believe it. They had Johnette Downing posters, facts, and photos. The children had been studying my books and music all month! Wow! Was I blown away. The surprise came to them when I told them that January is my birthday month, so they picked the perfect month to celebrate me and my music and books.

Thanks so much to the staff, teachers and students of St. Luke's for selecting me as the author of the month. I was very honored and flattered.

I look forward to seeing you all again next year!

Family Friendly Fridays in the French Market with Johnette Downing

The French Market Corporation and I are proud to announce the second Family Friendly Friday Concert in the French Market with Johnette Downing at the New Orleans Jazz National Historic Park on February 19, 2010 at 11:00 followed by a book signing at A Tisket A Tasket Book Shop on Decatur Street at 12:00.

Second Line yourself on over there and get ready to boogie!

Tour Schedule - February 2010

February 7-16, North Carolina
February 19 at 11:00, Family Friendly Fridays Concert Series, National Jazz Park, 916 N St. Peter, New Orleans, LA
Februay 19 at 12:00-1:00, Book Signing, Tisket A Tasket Book Shop, Decatur St., New Orleans, LA