Check it out! Here is the cover art for my upcoming book!!!
Monday, April 26, 2010
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Store Window of the Week
Congratulations to Blue Cypress Books on Oak Street in New Orleans, LA USA for being selected as the STORE WINDOW OF THE WEEK! You were caught with having the good taste to dress your store window with my Today is Monday in Louisiana book! Photographer Thom Bennett aka Spy snapped this photo of the store window earning him the esteemed position of being SPY OF THE WEEK for two weeks in a row! Way to go Thom!
If you see my books or CDs featured in any store window, snap a photo and send it to me! You and the store will be featured on my Blog and on Twitter! Spread the word!
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Mailbox - Letters from Fans and Friends
Dear Johnette:
I teach Pre-K at St. John Elementary in Lake Charles and you visited our students last year as part of the Banners Series. You were planning to do a certain show, but when we told you the kids know all of your LA books and songs you did your book show. You also signed all of your books for us. I have to tell you that we started our 4 week long Louisiana unit and I pulled your books out today. One of my children asked who "colored" in my book and I told them your story. They were so excited that I got to meet a "real" author (as they put it). Thank you so much for making books and reading come to life for young children. I appreciate your enthusiasm :)
-Katherine Yoes
Thanks Katherine! I appreciate your enthusiasm and kindness for writing such a nice note!
I teach Pre-K at St. John Elementary in Lake Charles and you visited our students last year as part of the Banners Series. You were planning to do a certain show, but when we told you the kids know all of your LA books and songs you did your book show. You also signed all of your books for us. I have to tell you that we started our 4 week long Louisiana unit and I pulled your books out today. One of my children asked who "colored" in my book and I told them your story. They were so excited that I got to meet a "real" author (as they put it). Thank you so much for making books and reading come to life for young children. I appreciate your enthusiasm :)
-Katherine Yoes
Thanks Katherine! I appreciate your enthusiasm and kindness for writing such a nice note!
Friday, April 9, 2010
Store Window of the Week
Thom Bennett aka Spy just caught Peach's Records 408 North Peters St. New Orleans, LA USA with the good taste of displaying my Chef Creole and Why the Crawfish Lives in the Mud books in their store window! Congratulations Thom Bennett for being the SPY OF THE WEEK and Peach's Records for being the STORE WINDOW OF THE WEEK!
Thom is a Southern photographer so check out his website at www.thombennettphotographs.com Thanks Thom for your keen spy eye!
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Beauregard Daily News Article
DERIDDER—The children of K.R. Hanchey Elementary were taught the richness Louisiana culture has to offer by singing and dancing with award winning author and musician Johnette Downing on Wednesday.
Downing is an author, singer, songwriter and musician performing music and presenting books about Louisiana. According to Downing she writes about what she knows, as she was born in Louisiana. Downing’s list of multiple awards include: six Parents’ Choice Awards, four iParenting Media Awards, two Parent’s Guide To Children’s Media Awards, four National Parenting Publications Awards, a Family Choice Award, a Family Review Center Award, an Imagination Award and a Haiku International Association Honorable Mention Award.
The books she performed for the students were ‘Today Is Monday In Louisiana’ which takes young readers through a culinary calendar describing a delicious Louisiana meal for each day of the week.
Another book she sang to the children was ‘Chef Creole’. In this book Downing presents a character Chef made entirely out of Louisiana cuisine, like boudin sausage arms.
“The students were very enthusiastic and knew my books and music already. So I know the teachers are using them in the classrooms and they were just a fabulous audience,” said Downing.
Every year the students at K.R. Hanchey have a Louisiana Culture program to help the students learn more about the state, according to K.R. Hanchey Principal Elizabeth Maricle.
“We had to book her a year in advance and we’ve been very, very excited about the prospect of her coming. We put on a Louisiana program every year and we use her books and songs so that’s how we knew of her and her music. So we thought what better way to promote our program than to have her come and actually sing and tell her stories,” said Maricle.
“It was so awesome. She is so active with her audience and with the kids. She really gets down to their level. We just enjoyed it tremendously. We have been honored to have her here at our school,” continued Maricle.
-By Billie Jo Rassat
Beauregard Daily News, DeRidder, LA
Downing is an author, singer, songwriter and musician performing music and presenting books about Louisiana. According to Downing she writes about what she knows, as she was born in Louisiana. Downing’s list of multiple awards include: six Parents’ Choice Awards, four iParenting Media Awards, two Parent’s Guide To Children’s Media Awards, four National Parenting Publications Awards, a Family Choice Award, a Family Review Center Award, an Imagination Award and a Haiku International Association Honorable Mention Award.
The books she performed for the students were ‘Today Is Monday In Louisiana’ which takes young readers through a culinary calendar describing a delicious Louisiana meal for each day of the week.
Another book she sang to the children was ‘Chef Creole’. In this book Downing presents a character Chef made entirely out of Louisiana cuisine, like boudin sausage arms.
“The students were very enthusiastic and knew my books and music already. So I know the teachers are using them in the classrooms and they were just a fabulous audience,” said Downing.
Every year the students at K.R. Hanchey have a Louisiana Culture program to help the students learn more about the state, according to K.R. Hanchey Principal Elizabeth Maricle.
“We had to book her a year in advance and we’ve been very, very excited about the prospect of her coming. We put on a Louisiana program every year and we use her books and songs so that’s how we knew of her and her music. So we thought what better way to promote our program than to have her come and actually sing and tell her stories,” said Maricle.
“It was so awesome. She is so active with her audience and with the kids. She really gets down to their level. We just enjoyed it tremendously. We have been honored to have her here at our school,” continued Maricle.
-By Billie Jo Rassat
Beauregard Daily News, DeRidder, LA
April 2010 Tour Schedule
April 1-5, North Carolina
April 11 at 11:00 & 3:00, Aquarium Stage, French Quarter Festival, New Orleans, LA
April 15 from 6:30-8:30 p.m., Educator Workshop, Family Guidance Center of Alabama, Montgomery, AL
April 16 at 9:00, Concert, Family Guidance Center of Alabama, Montgomery, AL
April 23 at 11:00, Family Friendly Fridays Concert Series, National Jazz Park, 916 N St. Peter, New Orleans, LA
April 23 at 12:00-1:00, Book Signing, Tisket A Tasket Book Shop, Decatur, New Orleans, LA
April 24 at 12:30, Concert, Kids Tent, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, New Orleans, LA
April 24 at 2:00, Book Signing, Book Tent, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, New Orleans, LA
April 11 at 11:00 & 3:00, Aquarium Stage, French Quarter Festival, New Orleans, LA
April 15 from 6:30-8:30 p.m., Educator Workshop, Family Guidance Center of Alabama, Montgomery, AL
April 16 at 9:00, Concert, Family Guidance Center of Alabama, Montgomery, AL
April 23 at 11:00, Family Friendly Fridays Concert Series, National Jazz Park, 916 N St. Peter, New Orleans, LA
April 23 at 12:00-1:00, Book Signing, Tisket A Tasket Book Shop, Decatur, New Orleans, LA
April 24 at 12:30, Concert, Kids Tent, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, New Orleans, LA
April 24 at 2:00, Book Signing, Book Tent, New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, New Orleans, LA
Mailbox, Letters from Fans and Friends
Dear Johnette:
Moving and shaking and laughing! Now that is the way to start a week. Thank you for coming to Trinity to share your books and music with our students. We all learned a little more about Louisiana, its animals, and food.
Best,
Michelle McCarthy
Trinity Episcopal School
Moving and shaking and laughing! Now that is the way to start a week. Thank you for coming to Trinity to share your books and music with our students. We all learned a little more about Louisiana, its animals, and food.
Best,
Michelle McCarthy
Trinity Episcopal School
Monday, April 5, 2010
Accelerated Reader List
I am quite thrilled to announce that my Why the Crawfish Lives in the Mud book has been selected for the ACCELERATED READER LIST!!! Please visit
http://www.arbookfind.com/bookdetail.aspx?q=135220&l=EN&slid=95409860
for more details!
http://www.arbookfind.com/bookdetail.aspx?q=135220&l=EN&slid=95409860
for more details!
STORE WINDOW & DOOR OF THE WEEK!
Congratulations A Tisket, A Tasket Book Shop on Decatur Street in New Orleans, LA USA! You have been selected as the STORE WINDOW OF THE WEEK! You have been caught with having the superb taste of dressing your window with my My Aunt Came Back from Louisiana and Today is Monday in Louisiana books as well as dressing your door with my Today is Monday in Louisiana book.
Merci beaucoup!
Reader Views Reviews Today is Monday in Texas
Reader Views, Reviews, by kids for kids
Reviewed by Grayce Richardson (almost age 6) for Reader Views (03/10)
www.readerviewskids.com
Today is Monday in Texas by Johnette Downing, Illustrated by Deborah Ousley Kadair
Grayce: "I like that the illustrations are by the artist who did "Chef Creole." The illustrations are beautiful. It’s a creative book. Kids who are younger than me, like four-years-old, would like it too…and babies would like it as a singing song."
Parent’s Comments:
Days of the week are such a big part of children’s lives – helping them remember school days, vacation with parents and birthdays. "Today is Monday in Texas" by Johnette Downing is a delightful and original way to think of the days of the week. With "Chef Creole" gracing our shelves (the illustrator did both books), Grayce quickly recognized that the delightful depictions of children were original and in the form of mixed media (fabric, paper, drawing). The only improvement I would make is providing a music CD for parents who can’t read sheet music.
Reviewed by Grayce Richardson (almost age 6) for Reader Views (03/10)
www.readerviewskids.com
Today is Monday in Texas by Johnette Downing, Illustrated by Deborah Ousley Kadair
Grayce: "I like that the illustrations are by the artist who did "Chef Creole." The illustrations are beautiful. It’s a creative book. Kids who are younger than me, like four-years-old, would like it too…and babies would like it as a singing song."
Parent’s Comments:
Days of the week are such a big part of children’s lives – helping them remember school days, vacation with parents and birthdays. "Today is Monday in Texas" by Johnette Downing is a delightful and original way to think of the days of the week. With "Chef Creole" gracing our shelves (the illustrator did both books), Grayce quickly recognized that the delightful depictions of children were original and in the form of mixed media (fabric, paper, drawing). The only improvement I would make is providing a music CD for parents who can’t read sheet music.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
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
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
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
Thursday, March 18, 2010
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
"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
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
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.
Monday, March 15, 2010
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!
“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!
Monday, March 8, 2010
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!
Sunday, March 7, 2010
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!
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.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
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!!
Saturday, February 27, 2010
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
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
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
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
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!
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