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

Music for Montessori and Johnette Downing

Music for Montessori and Johnette Downing by Liz Hannan

Please check out Johnette Downing’s CD collection for great songs to use
in your Montessori circles. The melodies are delightful and her recordings are pure.
She always includes the lyrics on the jacket. Yeah!!!
Everyone will be able to sing along with ease.
You will discover that her songs connect with your units
and they are also great for part cards.
The language is rich and will expand everyone’s vocabulary.

I am excited to share with everyone how Johnette Downing has enriched my music circles in 11
Montessori schools within the San Francisco Bay Area.

BTW: I lined my tray with peel and stick felt.
This keeps the noise down as instruments get passed around the circle.

The first instrument I introduce for passing is the egg shaker.
It is the easiest for their small hands and it is a no fail manipulation.
I have it in a small, egg shaped box and present it as teachers present all
Montessori materials.

Heads up…I place the egg in the box but leave the lid on my work rug.
Otherwise each child will return the lid to the box and every other child has to remove it.
Great exercise for other circles but too much time for music since
I have other instruments I want to pass.

From her CD, Fins and Grins, we sing Johnette’s The Aquarium.
I shake the egg on the word, “strange”.
I do the first 3 verses and then pass the egg on my tray.
When it is returned to me we all sing the refrain one last time.

Johnette’s Circle of Life is classic for any unit on fish and/or the sea.
It includes graduated sizes of fish as well as the food chain.
The movements are fun and easy.
When the children have really learned the song well I
do the hand movements but do not sing the names of the fish.
The children love this challenge.

You must check out Johnette’s Second Line CD for songs with scarves.
The songs are easy, darling and great for movement.
I was so excited to do these songs.
I bought small, bright colored scarves which were great for floating.

Here is what happened to my circle.
Being Montessori children they all began to fold the scarves into squares and triangles.
I did not have the heart to stop that activity but it took the rest of my circle time.
Not to be out done and miss out on great songs…I changed to hands.
Ta Da !!! Hands up, 2-3-4-5-6-7 and 8. Hands down, 2-3-4-5-6-7- and 8. Etc.

Have fun with Johnette Downing in your Montessori schools.

Liz Hannan
Music for Montessori
Music Together
Children’s Music Network

The Big Read 2010 Selection!

BiG NeWs!!!

My book Today is Monday in Louisiana is one of three books for Lower School selected on the Recommended Reading list for the National Coalition of Girls' Schools (NCGS) "Big Read" 2010!!! How cool is that???

Here is the review:

http://nola.ncgs.org/the-big-read-2010/

Today Is Monday in Louisiana by Johnette Downing
PreSchool-Grade 3 — A variation of a Louisiana song with a twist–each day a new food is served as a faceless assortment of children come one by one to the table. Eventually, there are seven, with seven different dishes in front of them, a cat and dog underneath the table waiting for scraps, and a grandmotherly figure overseeing everything.

Mailbox - Letters from Fans and Friends

Merci beaucoup Johnette.
On behalf of everyone at the French Consulate, thank you for a wonderful performance Saturday at our Fête des enfants. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed you and your unique talent- you really added something special to our program.
-Heidi

Music Monthly - December 2009: What is Jazz?

In researching a music activity to offer this month, I came across a wonderful website to teach children about Jazz. Since I’ll be performing at the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park each month in 2010, I thought we should give children a little lesson in Jazz before we go to the Jazz Park. PBS Kids – Jazz is a great web site to do just that. There are so many interesting facts and fun activities for the children to do. Check it out at:
http://pbskids.org/jazz/index.html

"Read & Spin," New Orleans Magazine Review

My latest book Why the Crawfish Lives in the Mud (Pelican Publishing) received a great review in the November Issue, "Read & Spin" column of New Orleans Magazine.


"Why the Crawfish Lives in the Mud is an important study of Louisiana's most important crustacean. Yes, it's a story picture book and sure to be a hit with early readers. The tale of trickster Crawfish and hard-working Crab culminates with a valuable moral. Bonus: Mom and Dad could learn a lesson. Bonus No. 2: writer Johnette Downing's illustrations are collage-like and sure to spark some artistic endeavers by budding Romare Beardens."

-Alisha Murphy, Read & Spin, New Orleans Magazine, November 2009

Tour Schedule - December 2009

December 6 from 10:00-11:00, Book Signing, Sams Club, Metairie, LA
December 6 from 12:30-1:30, Book Signing, A Tisket A Tasket, French Quarter, New Orleans, LA
December 6 at 2:00 & 3:00, St. Nicholas Day Fair, Dutch Alley Performance Pavillion, Alley Off Decatur, New Orleans, LA
December 9-11, Washington DC
December 12 at 10:30, Grand Opening Concert, The Parenting Center, New Orleans, LA
December 12 from 2:00-4:00, Book Signing, Barnes & Noble, Baton Rouge, LA
December 19 from 7:00-8:30 p.m., Book Signing, Barnes & Noble, Harvey, LA
December 23-31, North Carolina

Happy Thanksgiving

I spent Thanksgiving with my boyfriend and his son in the mountains of North Carolina, and it SNOWED! It was so funny because I was all bundled up and freezing while everyone else was romping around like it was summer.

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I am grateful for all of my fans, clients, friends and family. Many blessings to you all.

Mailbox - Letters from Fans and Friends

"Upon arrival this morning, one of the children walked by my CD's and tapes. She picked up your Second Line tape and ran to me and said, "Look this is HER!" She was sooo excited! You are a Pre-K rock star!!"

-Anne Mayeaux, Chateau Estates Elementary
Kenner, LA

The Daily Advertiser Mentions My Book

This brief mention about my Why the Crawfish Lives in the Mud book appeared in The Daily Advertiser:

Another Louisiana author and children's musician Johnette Downing offers her take on why crawfish like to hide beneath the earth's surface in Why the Crawfish Lives in the Mud, another Pelican title.

-Chere Cohen, The Daily Advertiser - Lafayette, LA, USA
November 1, 2009


Thanks for the mention Chere!

Tour Schedule - November 2009

November 3 from 3:15-4:00, Reading and Book Signing, Newman Book Fair, Isidore Newman School, New Orleans, LA
November 7 from 10:00-12:00, Book Signing, Sams Club, Harvey, LA
November 7 from 2:00-4:00, Book Signing, Sams Club, Kenner, LA
November 14 at 12:30 & 2:30, Three Rivers Art Festival, Childrens Village, Downtown Covington, LA
November 21-30, North Carolina

Fun Filled Weekend

What a fun weekend! I performed six shows in two days. My weekend concerts began on October 23, 2009 with two shows at the Washington Parish Fair. As always, the children came out ready to jam with me and we danced and grooved all afternoon. Then I drove back to New Orleans for a night time performance at Boo at the Zoo. The children and parents put down their trick or treat bags and joined me for a RIP-roaring time of slightly spooky songs.

On October 24, 2009 I had three more shows beginning at Monster Mash in Covington. I have included some photos of my performance there sent to me by a friend/fan named Chantel. In one photo, Jordan and the other children make-believe they are butterflies while I performed my new "Mariposa" song.

Next was an afternoon performance at the Buddy Walk as part of the National Down Syndrome Association. Talk about a blast! Everyone got into the groove even a high school girls basketball team! Now that's hip!

The weekend ended with another night performance at Boo at the Zoo. We howled, jumped, jiggled, wiggled, danced, sang and shivered to more slightly spooky, mostly silly songs!

One more weekend of Halloween performances to come. I'll be in Abbeville, La at Scare on the Square at 5:00 on Halloween night, October 31, 2009. Be there....if you DARE!!!

Mailbox - Letters from Fans and Friends

My girls (7 & 3) saw you when you were in Wilmington last February & LOVE your music - your Fins & Grins CD has been our 'most frequently purchased' for gifts as of late! We are studying Brazil right now in school & we've looked up all of your Amazon ABC animals, but I can't seem to find what a "quesan" is... can you help me out? Thanks so much!

-Kati, Wilmington, NC

To answer your question Kati, a queztal is a beautiful bird. It is the official bird of Costa Rica.

Tour Dates - October 2009

October 1-11, North Carolina
October 14 from 7:00-8:30, Educator Night, Barnes & Noble, Mandeville, LA
October 17 from 10:00-10:45, Book Talk, State Library Seminar Center, Louisiana Book Festival, State Library, Downtown Baton Rouge, LA
November 17 from 11:00-11:30, Concert, Storytelling Tent, Louisiana Book Festival, State Library, Baton Rouge, LA
November 17 from 11:45-12:30, Book Signing, Barnes & Noble Tent, Louisiana Book Festival, Downtown Baton Rouge, LA
November 17 from 12:45-1:45, Book Signing, Pelican Publishing Booth, Louisiana Book Festival, Downtown Baton Rouge, LA
October 23 at 2:00 & 3:00, Children's Stage, Washington Parish Fair, Franklinton, LA
October 23 at 7:00 p.m., Boo at the Zoo, Audubon Zoo, New Orleans, LA
October 24 at 10:30, Monster Mash, Bogue Falaya Park, Covington, LA
October 24 at 2:45, Buddy Walk, Zephyr Stadium, Metairie, LA
October 24 at 8:00 p.m., Boo at the Zoo, Audubon Zoo, New Orleans, LA
October 31 from 12:00-2:00, Book Signing, Barnes & Noble, Johnston Street, Lafayette, LA
October 31 at 5:00, Scare on the Square, Downtown Abbeville, LA

Mailbox - Letters from Fans and Friends

Hi Johnette!!!

We are so grateful for the WONDERFUL music you have created!!!!!!! My students love so many of your songs. Below is the link to the page that shares with our parents the music KinderJam LOVES!!!

http://www.kinderjam.com/musicwelove.html

Thanks so much for the message and information! Today my students and parents JAMMED to your "Rhythm in the Scarves" and had a blast!!!!!

Thanks a Million!!!

El Brown

www.kinderjam.com

NWI Parent picks Why the Crawfish Lives in the Mud as a "Kids Pick"

KIDS PICK

AGES 6 TO 8

Why the Crawfish Lives in the Mud
by Johnette Downing (Pelican Publishing, $15.95)

Author Johnette Downing does double duty for this clever story about what happens one very hot and humid day on the bayou to a hungry and lazy crawfish. With the author providing her own clever illustrations, as the story unfolds, there’s also a generous seasoning of Cajun phrases and fun crawfish facts. Filled with lessons to be learned and other fun characters like a dedicated crab, this book is swimming with fun for young readers. It’s available in stores or at pelicanpub.com.

-Philip Potempa,

NWI Parent, Northwest Times of Indiana

Kirkus Digs Why the Crawfish Lives in the Mud!

Downing, Johnette

WHY THE CRAWFISH LIVES IN THE MUD

Illus. by the author

In this original pourquoi tale, hungry Crawfish spies the fish that Crab has just caught for his dinner. Wily Crawfish convinces Crab that the fish is much too small for him, goading him into relinquishing his catch into Crawfish’s clutches and scuttling further down the bayou in search of a bigger challenge. Contrary to Crawfish’s story, Crab finds no big fish in the bayou. He threatens to throw Crawfish into the mud, and Crawfish protests so much that it seems this is heading straight into Br’er Rabbit territory. It turns out Crawfish’s protests are genuine, though. As he tries to back away from Crab he accidentally digs a tunnel in the mud and falls into it, where he will live from now on. A serviceable trickster tale jazzed up with Cajun French phrases defined both in the text and in a glossary.... (Crawfish Fun Facts) (Picture book. 4-8)

-Kirkus Reviews

Mailbox - Letters & Video from Fans and Friends

Check out this fan letter and video of two little ones rocking out to my Give Me That Zydeco song! Too cute!


Hi Johnette. I emailed you quite some time ago requesting permission (which you granted -- thank you!) to play your CD's occasionally in my preschool/toddler music classes here in and around Seattle. I still use "Ants in my Pants" whenever we do egg shakers and, boy, do the kids love it!

Well, my own two offspring were rocking out today...and I'd love for you to check out the video I posted on my blog: http://www.jenny524.blogspot.com/ I think you'll enjoy their spontaneous dance party! :)

Happy music-making to ya!

-Jenny Martin
Seattle, WA



Thanks guys! You ROCK!!

Mailbox - Letters from Fans and Friends

"I REALLY hope I can get to your book signing. Bought all the others and the children LOVE them. So appropriate for our culture. Thank goodness you have the talent to keep our tradition alive."

-Gail MZZ, New Orleans, LA

Why the Crawfish Lives in the Mud Book Mention by Susan Larson

NEW ORLEANS BOOKS NEWS AND REVIEWS
The latest literary updates from around New Orleans
Fall is the season for turning over a new page, and this season's offerings are a book-lover's bounty
by Susan Larson, Book editor, The Times-Picayune
Wednesday September 16, 2009, 3:00 AM

The local scene is equally vibrant, with a full slate of fiction and local interest titles, and a strong selection of children's books; there are striking new voices and many happy returns from local favorites.


-- 'Why the Crawfish Lives in the Mud, ' by Johnette Downing (Pelican Publishing, $15.95, ages 5 to 8, September), is the singer-songwriter's most recent book offering, a Louisiana folk tale.



Thanks Susan. You are a gem!

Tour Dates - September 2009

September 26 from 11:00-12:30, New Book Launch, Maple Street Book Shop, Maple Street, New Orleans, LA
September 26 from 1:30-3:00, Book Signing, Garden District Books, Prytania Street, New Orleans, LA

Mailbox - Letters from Friends and Fans

"On behalf of the Lafourche Parish Library System including the Youth Services Staff, we wish to thank you for your outstanding presentations to the children of our community. Your talents enhance our Summer Reading Program and we appreciate your professtionalism."

Sincerely,
Dana Clement
Lafourche Parish Library

Thanks Dana and the Lafourche Parish Library! I had a great time in your library system as always! You all are very "artist-friendly" as well as professional, and that is much appreciated!

Mailbox - Letters from Fans and Friends

"I have most of your cds and my 1st graders and I listen to them. My favorite cd is From the Gumbo Pot. And even though we have only been in school 17 days, we have listened to it a few times. My 1st graders absolutely love your song "Mosquitoes"...so much so that they break out spontaneously in song during class. It will start with gentle humming, then a buzzing, a chanting of "Mosquitoes". clapping, and finally giggling. I chuckle everytime they do this, and thought you might enjoy a story about kids who enjoy your music. We are going to try to book you for later in the school year!"

Laura Leinhardt
1st grade teacher
Marrero Academy


Thanks Laura for sharing this great story and for sharing my music with your students. I look forward to performing at your school soon! Teachers ROCK!