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

Today is Monday in Texas Book Released

Pelican Publishing Company and I are happy to announce that my Today is Monday in Texas book just arrived! All of Texas's lucky children and children from other parts of the world will find something scrumptious to sing about in this rhythmic walk through a week of the Lone Star State's favorite foods. Delightfully illustrated by Deborah Ousley Kadair, this book will have children humming the yummy words all week long.

You can purchase the book now at http://www.johnettedowning.com/ or pelicanpub.com!

Come and read it up!!

Impressions from my first week in Korea

Well, I have completed my first week of work in Korea and am enjoying the weekend off in Seoul. I walked around Seoul yesterday on my own as a tourist in 9 degree weather which has been the warmest day during my trip so far. People here are thrilled with the "warm" weather today and are out and about like it's 60 degrees. I had on an expedition Capilene under garment, a fleece over-shirt, a fleece vest, a fleece scarf, Thinsulate gloves, a wool hat, ski socks, insulated boots and a full length wool coat and was still cold. I walked to the Old Palace, the National Art Museum and an old Korean market. The palace was gorgeous with ceremonial guards outside. I was able to see the changing of the guards as I arrived. The market was filled with thousands of people buying and selling goods; really cool. I took lots of photos; I'll post some photos later.

The Korean people are extremely polite. They hand things to you with both hands while bowing. If they reach for something, they put one hand on their elbow while extending their other arm. I suspect this is to avoid hitting someone or something with their elbow during the reach. It is very lovely the way they do this and I am trying to remember to do it when I reach for something. They seem appreciative of my effort.

I have learned to say hello (anyeong haseyo), thank you (gam-sa-ham-ni-dah), cheon-man-e-yo (you're welcome), yes (dey), ban-gab-seum-ni-dah (nice to meet you) and cheers/bottoms up (gum beh).

I have been treated to many traditional Korean feasts whereby you take off your shoes and sit on the floor at low tables in narrow private rooms so that while you are seated on the floor, you can lean on the walls to support your back. The steak restaurant tables have charcoal pits in them and the waitresses cook your food on the table. Waitresses come by with scissors to cut up your food because knives are not part of your utensils. Koreans use long thin metal chop sticks and long thin spoons for eating. The chop sticks are much more thin than Japanese or Chinese chop sticks giving them a delicate, sophisticated look and feel. The food is very fresh and healthy and rice is a staple; rice tea, rice wine, rice desserts and rice as a base for nearly every dish. The food is somewhat spicy and has varied tangy and savory flavors. The tables are filled with many little dishes of food and soups and no one is expected to finish any of it. They eat soup with every meal too along with plenty of fresh leafy green salads. Sesame leaves are very popular and are my favorite. The leaves are used to wrap your food. You take a leaf, add some meat, onion, garlic and bean paste, wrap the leaf into a roll and eat it in one bite. By the way, Koreans are the leading consumers of garlic! The dishes continue to arrive at your table until people stop eating. Then they serve a sweet rice tea to help with the digestion at the end of the meal. Being from New Orleans, I truly appreciate good food and good service, and Korea has both! Kudos!

Koreans are probably the most punctual people I have ever met. If an event is scheduled for 10:00, it starts at 10:00. If the train is supposed to arrive at 10:04, it does! I guess with 15 million people in Seoul alone, time is a way of keeping life orderly.

My workshops and concerts have been well received. Koreans are very rhythmic and love to sing. Karaoke (also called song rooms) is HUGE here so they are with me from the moment I sing the first note.

Well, those are my impressions for the first week. Next week, we'll be on the road outside of Seoul. I'll spend my birthday in Busan at the Busan English Library and Global Village with elementary school children. Busan (pronounced Pusan) is the second largest city in Korea. Kind of cool being in another country for my birthday.

Johnette in Seoul, South Korea

Greetings from Seoul, South Korea!

I made it safely to Seoul, South Korea after a long journey. I slept for 14 hours straight after my arrival, and then had my first day of workshops with over 120 teachers and students. The teachers and students are very polite, welcoming and enthusiastic. I learned something about Korean people that I didn't know; they love to SING and they sing very well. What joy!

Sun-nam, my host, is delightful! We hit it off immediately! We will be traveling together all over Korea for the next 12 days.

I have enjoyed several delicious meals already. Korean food is a work of art!

So after my first full day of great food and great singers, you can imagine that I am having a blast!

More to come....

Mailbox - Letters from Fans and Friends

Hey, Johnette, just a note to say Happy New Year and a early happy birthday to you. Brooke will never forget all those times we went to see you. Thanks for helping us create such special memories.
Always,
J. Ragusa

Family Friendly Friday in the French Market with Johnette Downing - Children's Concert Series

The French Market Corporation and I are proud to announce the first Family Friendly Friday Concert Series in the French Market with Johnette Downing at the New Orleans Jazz National Historic Park. The concert series will begin on January 8, 2010 at 11:00 and will take place every month in the year 2010!

This is an exciting opportunity for parents to bring their little ones to the French Market for live music and other special offers. A book signing at A Tisket A Tasket book shop follows each concert. Aunt Sally’s Candy Shop is offering free candy demos from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The series is free and open to individual families, play groups and school groups. Mark your calendars and make it a play date with friends. The National Jazz Historic Park is easily accessed by the French Market Parking Lot and the riverside streetcar stops #1-#23. Visit www.frenchmarket.org for maps and directions.

Here are the concert dates for 2010 (show times are 11:00 a.m.):

January 8
February 19
March 19
April 23
May 21
June 12
July 2
August 6
September 17
October 1
November 12
December 10

So mark your calendars and I'll see you there!

Special note - there was a typo in the local newspaper and online announcements about the January date. The actual date is January 8. Thanks.

Johnette On Tour In Korea!

I have had the honor of being invited to perform and give workshops in South Korea from January 8-23, 2010! I have been to Asia once when I was on vacation in Hong Kong, but this time I will be working with teachers and students in Seoul, Daejeon, Busan and Daegu, Korea. I am just thrilled! To make the trip more exciting, if that is possible, I will be spending my birthday there.

Featured Artist!

Hey Fans!

I am the "Featured Artist" this month on Kinderjam! Check it out at:

http://www.kinderjam.com/

Thanks Kinderjam. Rock on!

School Library Journal Review

Here is a great review my latest book received from School Library Journal:

DOWNING, Johnette. Why the Crawfish Lives in the Mud. illus. by author. 32p. glossary. CIP.Pelican. 2009. Tr $15.95. ISBN 978-1-58980-678-8. LC 2009003959.

PreS-Gr 2—An original pourquoi story from the Louisiana bayou that pits lazy Crawfish against his best friend. Crab has caught a beautiful fish for his dinner, but when he shows it to his hungry pal, Crawfish mocks it as "ti-tiny" and "itsy bitsy" and inveigles Crab into giving him his "insignificant" catch. Crab goes back to the lake to find the entirely imaginary huge fish that Crawfish says he saw there but returns empty-handed and angry. Confronted by Crab, Crawfish crawls backward and falls into a big pile of mud, where he can be found to this day, hiding from Crab. The story is illustrated with simple, brightly colored collages. A glossary of a few Cajun phrases and some facts about crawfish are included. A humorous choice for storytimes.—Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA

School Library Journal, 1/1/2010

Happy New Year!

Dear Fans, Clients and Friends:

I hope your New Year is all that you wish it to be.

Johnette

Tour Schedule - January 2010

January 8 at 11:00, Family Friendly Fridays Concert Series, National Jazz Park, 916 N St. Peter, New Orleans, LA

January 8 at 12:00-1:00, Book Signing, Tisket A Tasket Book Shop, 1235 Decatur St., New Orleans, LA

January 8-23, Workshop and Concert Tour in Seoul, Daejeon, Busan and Daegu, Korea

Tour Schedule - January 2010

January 8 at 11:00, Family Friendly Fridays Concert Series, National Jazz Park, 916 N St. Peter, New Orleans, LA
January 8 at 12:00-1:00, Book Signing, Tisket A Tasket Book Shop, 1235 Decatur St., New Orleans, LA
January 8-23, Workshop and Concert Tour in Seoul, Daejeon, Busan and Daegu, Korea
January 30 from 11-1, Book Signing, Sams Club, Metairie, LA