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

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