Spring reviews for The Little Mouse Santi are trickling in. We love this one from Midwest Book Review‘s “Children’s Bookwatch” May 2015 issue:
The Little Mouse Santi is an extraordinarily entertaining read and would prove to be an enduringly popular addition to community library picture book collections for young readers.” Read more
And there is this very thoughtful review from The Dorky Daddy, who wants more Santi! “I really did enjoy it. If I had a critique it’s that I liked it enough that I wanted more from it.”We understand, Dorky Daddy! Read more
Confetti Park is a community radio program out of New Orleans. We feature local storytellers and songs that kids love, songs created for kids, or created by kids, right here in Louisiana.
This medley of kids music shows the diversity of Louisiana musicians. Songs featured in this episode, in order:
He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands – Cynthia Girtley
Award-winning Louisiana children’s musician and author Johnette Downing shares with Confetti Park this marvelous trickster tale about generosity.
A long time ago, the Oyster was not only generous and kind; he was also the keeper of all the gems in the world. Whenever any type of creature would come to him in need, the Oyster would share his jewels without hesitation. One day, a very greedy snake hatches a plan to shift the balance of wealth in the sea. But he’s in for a surprise when he tests the limits of the Oyster’s generosity.
In this episode of Confetti Park, Katy Ray interviews Johnette Downing, award-winning children’s musician and author. Through her books and songs, Johnette shares Louisiana culture with kids around the world.
Johnette will be appearing at Jazz Fest this year; it is her 23rd year at the fest! You can see her at the kids tent on Sunday, May 3, 2015, at 12:40-1:40 p.m. Calendar
(She also performs at the New Orleans Jazz Historical National Park Visitor’s Center at 11 a.m. on May 1.)
In this interview Johnette discusses how she came to play children’s music, and how the jazz sounds of New Orleans inspired her as a child. As an adult, she got to record a CD of children’s songs with Jimmy LaRocca’s Original Dixieland Jazz Band, which she considers one of her crowing achievements.
She also discusses the importance of parents enjoying music and dancing with their children. Jazz Fest is great for that!!!
Confetti Park is a community radio program out of New Orleans. We feature local storytellers and songs that kids love, songs created for kids, or created by kids, right here in Louisiana.
This medley of kids music shows the diversity of Louisiana musicians. Songs featured in this episode, in order:
Confetti Park – Confetti Park Players
Okra Man – Mr. Okra & Confetti Park Players
Playing Possum – Johnette Downing
Itsy Bitsy Spider – Jeremy Lyons
Days of the Week – Jason & Layla
Ol’ Blue – Jimmy Cousins
Aveine, Aveine – Renaissance Cadienne
Buttermilk Drop – Confetti Park Players
Zydeco Gris Gris Rap – Michael Doucet
Evangeline – Feufollet
When I See an Elephant Fly – Johnny Sketch and the Dirty Notes.
New Orleans author David Eugene Ray narrates his adorable story The Little Mouse Santi, which received a Kirkus star.
The little mouse Santi may be small, but he has a big dream. This beautifully illustrated story explores one of the most important aspects of a child’s life, the search for identity. Santi wants to be a cat, and even though all the other mice laugh at him, he follows his dream. This timeless story ends with a whimsical twist: Santi learns a valuable lesson about self-determination and also learns he is not the only dreamer!
The gentle and lovely illustrations in The Little Mouse Santi, by Santiago Germano, are not to be missed! Order the book at https://confettipark.com/santi/ or at Amazon.
BONUS: This podcast concludes with a song called “Dream Big, Little Santi” composed by David Ray and Katy Hobgood Ray.
A kid-friendly podcast called “Confetti Park” debuted this month on iTunes, delivering children’s songs, stories, and kid culture from Louisiana to the world.
Podcast episodes, free for download, feature weekly story time narrated by Louisiana authors. There are also lagniappe episodes featuring skits, music medleys, and studio performances by Louisiana musicians, all geared toward children. The podcast is available on iTunes at http://bitly.com/confettiparkpodcast or at https://confettipark.com.
“A lot of ‘kid music’ is adults singing down to kids,” said host Katy Hobgood Ray, a Louisiana musician who created the show for New Orleans radio. “But in Louisiana, music permeates the fabric of our daily lives and is naturally kids music—danceable and full of whimsy and fun. I hope, through Confetti Park, to show that kids music can be really good.”
Ray travels the state to collect children’s stories, folklore, and childhood reflections for the show, which airs every Saturday in New Orleans at 12:30 p.m. on WHIV-FM 102.3. She directs a children’s choir in New Orleans called the Confetti Park Players, who play an integral part in the soundscape of the program.
“I hope our stories and music appeal to people everywhere,” says Ray. “There is magic in Louisiana that transcends age and place.”
ABOUT CONFETTI PARK Confetti Park is a children’s media workshop in New Orleans. We create books, mobile apps, music, videos, and special events geared toward celebrating and growing the wonder and magic of childhood. For more information, visit https://confettipark.com
ABOUT THE HOST
Katy Hobgood Ray works in communications at Tulane University. She has a master’s degree in musicology from Tulane and is a former content producer and host for Red River Radio, an NPR-affiliated public radio network in north Louisiana.
Confetti Park is a community radio program out of New Orleans. We feature local storytellers and songs that kids love, songs created for kids, or created by kids, right here in Louisiana.
This medley of kids music shows the diversity of Louisiana musicians. Songs featured in this episode, in order:
This Little Light of Mine – Ingrid Lucia
Wake-Y-Up-O – Kevin Griffin
“A Peanut Sat on a Railroad Track” – Confetti Park Players
Spoonbread – Lil Band of Gold
Noce A Josephine – Renaissance Cadienne
Puddin Man – Ph Fred
She’ll Be Comin’ Round the Mountain – Jeremy Lyons
ABC et 123 – Michael Doucet and Family
Musique a Bouce – Renaissance Cadienne ftg. Beth Patterson
“Apple on a Stick” – Confetti Park Players
Zipa Dee Do Da – Ivan Neville’s Dumpstafunk
Children climb on the branches of the Sideways Oak.
In a beautiful park in Louisiana, a wonderful old oak tree grows sideways. While the other magnificent oak trees rise out of the earth straight, tall, and proud, this one very special oak tree twists and turns out of the earth, parallel to the ground.
What happens? The little children flock to her…. she provides them with a magical haven in the sky.
In this episode of Confetti Park, New Orleans children’s author Tiger R.R. Chaplain tells us the story of how The Sideways Oak came to be.
Tiger Chaplain is the author of several children’s books, including Tristan and the Wise Little Dragon. Connect with Tiger on Facebook.
Confetti Park is a community radio program out of New Orleans. We feature local storytellers and songs that kids love, songs created for kids, or created by kids, right here in Louisiana. This medley of kids music shows the diversity of Louisiana musicians. Songs featured in this episode, in order:
“Confetti Park” – Confetti Park Players
“Hokey Pokey” – Big Sam’s Funky Nation
“Miss Mary Mack”
“Rock Paper Scissors” – The Freddy Fred Show
“If a Dinosaur Was My Friend” – Philip Melancon
“Your Mama” – Schatzy
“An Extra Smile” – Vanessa Kaster and Beth Patterson
“Garden Song” – Amanda Shaw
“It’s Watermelon Time” – Confetti Park Players
Field recording of New Orleans street performers (recorded by Jason Rhein)
This episode of Confetti Park features the children’s story Thorn in My Horn, by Alex McConduit of New Orleans, La.
Thorn in My Horn is a book about a young musician in New Orleans who LOVES to play his horn. His mother, on the other hand, cannot stand to hear the noise! She’s a thorn in his horn! This fun rhyming book includes illustrations by Darrell Rollo that showcase the French Quarter, Jackson Square and other iconic places in The Big Easy.
Thorn in My Horn was written by Alex McConduit and published by Big Boot Books. Learn morn about Alex and his books at http://bigbootbooks.com/about/
Confetti Park is a radio show out of New Orleans, featuring children’s and kids books narrated by the author. The Confetti Park podcast,hosted by Katy Hobgood Ray, features music and stories spun in Louisiana. It showcases songs that kids love, songs created for kids, and songs created by kids. Sparkling interviews, in-studio performances, delightful music medleys, jokes, local author storytime, and a little surprise lagniappe make for an entertaining show!
Spring reviews for The Little Mouse Santi are trickling in. We love this one from Midwest Book Review‘s “Children’s Bookwatch” May 2015 issue:
