My Crawfish Book Featured at National Book Festival in Washington DC!

New Orleans Jazz Historical Park Concert 10/8

Hope to see many of my little fans at my upcoming Free Family Friendly Friday Concert for children at the New Orleans Historical Jazz Park Visitor Center on October 8, 2010 at 11:00. A book signing at A Tisket A Tasket follows the concert at noon.

See you there!

Costa Rica Tour Was a Blast!

I have just returned from a fabulous two week tour in Costa Rica! Thanks to all the teachers and advisors who made my trip so memorable. A special thanks to my dear friend Carmen! Here are some of the comments the teachers and advisors in my workshop sent me:

"I was participating in the workshop you shared in Turrialba, Costa Rica. Thank you very much because I learned a lot, and had a great time !!!!"

=Marcela Ramos Chacon


"I hope this email finds you well. Thank you for your kind words. No doubt you are a great writer with such an inspirational message. You can conquer the world with your way of expressing, not only through writing but also through your sweet and angelical voice. The honor was mine. I hope to see you soon!

It will a pleasure to have you in our network as a special guest.

Blessings!"

-Lic. Manuel Rojas Mata
Asesor Pedagógico de Inglés



"Hi miss Johnette I was one of the teachers of Limon-Costa Rica that were presented in your presentations. I enjoyed your songs and also your techniques of teaching the days of the week...excelent Gongratulations for all your success."

-Anthony Grau Leon


"Dear Jonnette, Hi it is Paola!!! It was a pleasure to have a talented musician like you in my region... we were so happy with your creativity and charisma. Please come back as soon as you can. This time I promise a delicious tamal and coffeee for you." -Hugs Paola

Mailbox - Letters from Fans and Friends

"Ok. So in addition to influencing our trips around LA, this week the kids want to eat dinner the way that TODAY IS MONDAY IN LOUISIANA, spells out! ;)"


-Anamaria Villamarin-Lupin

Monday in New York Poll Results

The results of the TODAY IS MONDAY IN NEW YORK book poll show, in order of number of votes:

NY Cheese Cake
Nathan's Hot Dogs
Pastrami on rye
NY Pizza
Bagels and lox
Waldorf salad

...and a tie for #7

Buffalo wings
Manhattan clam chowder

The actual foods selected for the book are:

Apples (the state fruit)
Buffalo wings
Pastrami on rye
Nathan's hot dogs
NY Pizza
NY Cheese cake
Bagels and lox

There you have it. Come and eat it up!!

Tour Dates -September 2010

September 17 at 11:00, Family Friendly Fridays Concert Series, National Jazz Park Visitors Center, 916 N St. Peter, New Orleans, LA
September 17 at 12:00-1:00, Book Signing, Tisket A Tasket Book Shop, Decatur, New Orleans, LA
September 19-30, Educator Workshop Tour, San Jose, Costa Rica

Mailbox - Letters from Friends and Fans

"I received my copy of There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Bug, and it is wonderful. The text is bright and lively and has just the right twist at the end to delight children. The illustrations are magical and so innovative. I wish you all good luck and I can just hear you performing the work. My hope is that some day I get to hear you in person."

all best wishes always,
Darrell Bourque
Louisiana Poet Laureate

THERE WAS AN OLD LADY WHO SWALLOWED SOME BUGS book is IN!

Just picked up my new books from Pelican Publishing yesterday and they look great!! Thanks to the Pelican Publishing team for making my books so awesome!

My new book is now available to purchase in my website Store at www.johnettedowning.com

Thanks!

Store Window of the Week!

I am happy to announce that J Kids in Canal Place, New Orleans, LA has the good taste of putting my book in their store window earning them the title of STORE WINDOW OF THE WEEK! This photo was taken by New Orleans photographer Thom Bennett of www.thombennettphotographs.com, earning him the title of SPY OF THE WEEK!! Thanks to both J Kids and Thom for having great taste and a keen eye!

Who will be the next Store Window of the Week and Spy of the Week??? If you put my books in your store window or if you take a photo of my books in a store window, you could be featured here as well.

Game on!

Music Video at Ouachita Library Show

Music at the Library Video:

Multi-award winning childrens musician and author Johnette Downing performs at Ouachita Public Libraries.

http://www.thenewsstar.com/section/VideoNetwork?bctid=309175131001#/Music%20at%20the%20Library/309175131001

Johnette has 2 New CDs!

TWO NEW CDs!

Great news! The long awaited BOOGIE WOOGIE BUGS CD is now available to download from the Johnette Downing web site Store at http://www.johnettedowning.com/digital.html The physical CD will not be released until Fall 2010, but you can download the entire 20 song CD for only $10 today!

BOOGIE WOOGIE BUGS

Spiders and slugs and roaches, oh my! The backyard is buzzing alive with a boogie-woogie jive. Play in the bug band and sing some creepy, crawly and catchy songs about insects. You'll get these great fan favorite songs: Cockroach, Mariposa, Bug Band, and Backyard is Buzzing Along as well as some traditional songs like Skip to My Lou, Itsy Bitsy Spider, and Five Little Butterflies. There is a new sure-fire hit titled Bed Bugs so if you love the “Wiggle Worm” song, you’ll love this one too. Also included on this recording is the song that goes along with my upcoming book THERE WAS AN OLD LADY WHO SWALLOWED SOME BUGS.


NEW MOON, MUSIC FOR LITTLE FOLKS

Next, as if that is not cool enough, we are also releasing the 20th Anniversary Edition of Johnette's first recording for children with Dickie Knicks as the children's music duet "New Moon." Only 100 copies were printed of this original recording in 1990. The original recording has been digitized and is being released now to the general pubic for the first time. This recording planted the seeds of all the CDs that followed and you won’t believe how young I sound!

Download the two new CDs today at http://www.johnettedowning.com/digital.html

Accelerated Reader Quiz Number

For all the Accelerated Readers out there, here is the pertinent information you will need to earn points for my AR book Why the Crawfish Lives in the Mud:

AR Quiz No.135220 EN
Book Level: 4.3
AR Point: 0.5
Yeah AR! Now go out and read, read, READ!

Tour Dates - August 2010

August 6 at 11:00, Family Friendly Fridays Concert Series, National Jazz Park indoor Visitors Center, 916 N St. Peter, New Orleans, LA
August 6 at 12:00-1:00, Book Signing, Tisket A Tasket Book Shop, Decatur, New Orleans, LA
August 12 at 11:00 & 7:00, High Point Library, High Point, NC
August 14 at 2:00, New Hanover County Library, Wilmington, NC
August 16 at 2:00, Chapel Hill Public Library, Chapel Hill, NC
August 17-31, North Carolina

Publishers Weekly

Fall Children's Listings

THERE WAS AN OLD LADY WHO SWALLOWED SOME BUGS ($16.99) by Johnette Downing tells of a woman who gulps down all sorts of bugs (5-8).

-Publishers Weekly, July 19, 2010
Page 82

State Library of Louisiana Home Page Feature!

Check out this link from the State Library of Louisiana home page:

http://www.state.lib.la.us/about-the-state-library/spotlight-on/johnette-downings-book-selected-to-represent-louisiana-at-national-book-festival


Whooo hooo!

Fan Fotos!

This from a lovely volunteer at my book signing at East Jefferson General Hospital yesterday:

I had fun like a kid at the book signing today. We played music and read books when it wasn't busy. We sold a lot of books and CD's. the benefit was EJGEN Hospital nurses scholarships.

- Jackie Elliott

Bill Elliott Realty

Tour Dates - July 2010

July 1 at 10:00, East Carroll Parish Library, Lake Providence, LA
July 2 at 11:00, Family Friendly Fridays Concert Series, National Jazz Park, 916 N St. Peter, New Orleans, LA
July 2 at 12:00-1:00, Book Signing, Tisket A Tasket Book Shop, Decatur, New Orleans, LA
July 5 at 10:00, National Education Association Conference concert, New Orleans, LA
July 7 at 10:00 & 2:00, Allen Parish Library, Kinder & Oberlin, LA
July 8 at 10:00, Allen Parish Library, Oakdale, LA
July 9 from 10:00-2:00, Book signing, East Jefferson General Hospital Gift Shop, Metairie, LA
July 12 at 9:30 and 1:30, Summer camp performances, New Orleans, LA
July 15 at 10:00 & 2:00, Jackson Parish Library, Jonesboro, LA
July 19 at 10:00& 2:00, Iberia Parish Library, Parkview and Coteau, LA
July 20 at 10:00 & 2:00, Iberia Parish Library, New Iberia and Jeanerette, LA
July 26-29, Ouachita Parish Libraries, Monroe, LA

Spring 2011 release of TODAY IS MONDAY IN NEW YORK

TODAY IS MONDAY IN NEW YORK
Children's Book Release - slated for Spring 2011

Come and eat it up! Pelican Publishing Company is proud to announce the upcoming spring 2011 release of TODAY IS MONDAY IN NEW YORK written by multi-award winning children's book author and musician Johnette Downing and illustrated by award winning illustrator Deborah Ousley Kadair. The book, the third in a series, takes children through a culinary calendar describing a delicious New York dish for each day of the week. From Buffalo wings to Nathan's hot dogs, this yummy book will tempt the taste buds of young readers.

To celebrate the book release, Johnette Downing and Deborah Kadair will be giving author/illustrator visits and book signings throughout New York. To request an author/illustrator visit in spring 2011, please fill out the request form at: http://johnettedowning.com/booking.html To preorder books, contact Joseph Billingsley, Sales Manager, Pelican Publishing Company, jbillingsley@pelicanpub.com

Dig in to fun with a heaping spoonful of New York culinary tradition!

Johnette Downing's Book Selected to Represent Louisiana at National Book Festival

Johnette Downing’s Book Selected to Represent Louisiana at National Book Festival

Author and professional storyteller Johnette Downing’s book Why the Crawfish Lives in the Mud has been selected to represent the state of Louisiana at this year’s National Book Festival, which is held in the fall on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

Each year, a popular feature of the Festival is a free USA map given to attendees. When people enter the Pavilion of the States, organized by the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress, they may pick up a map and have it stamped or stickered at a table for each state within the Pavilion. Every state’s Center for the Book is asked to recommend one book title and author to represent its state. That list of books appears on the back of the map. There is only one title on the list from each state, a work of either fiction or non-fiction, a book about the state or by an author from the state.

The selection committee of the Louisiana Center for the Book in the State Library of Louisiana chose Why the Crawfish Lives in the Mud as the book that will represent the state of Louisiana and its literature for youth so well. Congratulations to Johnette Downing!

Mailbox - Letters from Fans and Friends

Johnette, just to let you know our camp was a huge success thanks to your precious books and music. The children absolutely loved both. I have heard so many moms say they have heard Chef Creole numerous times since camp was over. I loved the books so much I bought four of them for my NO grandchildren, and we sent home a note telling the parents about your books and music. Thanks for being so creative. Have a great summer.

-Carol Anne Caraway

Mailbox - Letters from Fans and Friends

We just wanted to send you a BIG CONGRATULATIONS from Plaquemines Parish Libraries for you and “Why the Crawfish Lives in the Mud” being selected to represent Louisiana at the National Book Festival!!!

We could not think of a better book or a better author to represent Louisiana!!!

Sending our very best,

- Patrisha Walker

Assistant Library Director
Plaquemines Parish Libraries

Tour Dates - July 2010

July 1 at 10:00, East Carroll Parish Library, Lake Providence, LA
July 2 at 11:00, Family Friendly Fridays Concert Series, National Jazz Park, 916 N St. Peter, New Orleans, LA
July 2 at 12:00-1:00, Book Signing, Tisket A Tasket Book Shop, Decatur, New Orleans, LA
July 5 at 10:00, Entertainment Conference Concert, New Orleans, LA
July 7 at 10:00 & 2:00, Allen Parish Library, Kinder & Oberlin, LA
July 8 at 10:00, Allen Parish Library, Oakdale, LA
July 12 at 9:30 & 1:30, Summer camp performances, New Orleans, LA
July 15 at 10:00 & 2:00, Jackson Parish Library, Jonesboro, LA
July 19 at 10:00& 2:00, Iberia Parish Library, Parkview and Coteau, LA
July 20 at 10:00 & 2:00, Iberia Parish Library, New Iberia and Jeanerette, LA
July 26-29, Ouachita Parish Libraries, Monroe, LA

NOLA Baby Reviews Chef Creole!

Book Reviews...What We're Reading


Chef Creole: Traditional
Song Adapted by Johnette Downing
Johnette Downing, illustrated by Deborah Ousley Kadair • $15.95
• Published by Pelican Publishing Company

New Orleans’ award-winning
songwriter and author Johnette
Downing introduces us to Chef
Creole in this delightful children’s
read (or sing) along. From the red
beans for eyes, his okra nose, and a praline mouth, he’s
the tastiest homage ever to our state’s rich food heritage.
Kids will love Kadair’s bold, collage-style illustrations,
and a handy glossary will help them learn about the best of
Louisiana fare.

-NOLA Baby, September/October 2009, www.nolababy.com

Tour Dates - June 2010

June 3 at 2:00, Montegut Library, Montegut, LA
June 4 at 10:00 & 2:00, Sabine Parish Library, Many & Zwolle, LA
June 5 at 12:00 & 1:00, Jefferson Parish Regional Library, Metairie, LA
June 8 at 10:00 & 2:00, St. James Parish Library, Lutcher & Vacherie, LA
June 10 at 10:00 & 2:00, Webster Parish Library, Minden & Springhill, LA
June 11 at 10:00, St. Bernard Parish Library, Chalmette, LA
June 12 at 1:00, Book Signing, A Tisket a Tasket Book Store, New Orleans, LA
June 12 at 3:00, Family Friendly Friday (on SATURDAY) Concert Series, New Orleans, LA, outdoors in the Dutch Alley Performance Pavillion
June 13 at 3:00, Concert, Creole Tomato Festival, Dutch Alley outdoor Performance Pavillion Stage & Childrens Area, French Quarter, New Orleans, LA
June 14-18 and 21-22 at 10:00 & 2:30, East Baton Rouge Parish Library, Carver, Main, Baker, Scotlandville, River, Jones, Eden, Bluebonnet, Central Zachary, Delmont, Greenwell and Pride Branches, Baton Rouge Metro area, LA
June 18 at 7:00 p.m., Book Signing and Reading, Barnes & Noble, Perkins Rowe, Baton Rouge, LA
June 23 at 10:00 & 2:00,Iberville Parish Library, Plaquemine & Rosedale-Grosse Tete, LA
June 24 at 10:30 & 2:00, Iberville Parish Libraries, East Iberville & White Castle, LA
June 25 at 10:00, Iberville Parish Library, Bayou Sorrel, LA
June 29 at 10:00, West Feliciana Parish Library, St. Francisville, LA
June 30 at 10:00 & 2:00, West Carroll Parish Library, Oak Grove, LA