Category: Podcast

Storytime: Amos the Artistic Alligator by Tommie Townsley

Amos the Artistic Alligator

In this episode of Confetti Park, children’s author Tommie Townsley of Lake Charles, Louisiana narrates the story of Amos the Artistic Alligator.

Set in the Atchafalaya swamp, this is the tale of how Amos the alligator tries to outsmart old Mr. Homer, a Cajun trapper, who is looking for the perfect alligator to be placed in the zoo. But Amos and his friends create something that most alligators would never think of, and the surprise adds a cute twist to the story.

Tommie Townsley was born in Sulphur, Louisiana and now lives in Lake Charles. She is Cajun and has written numerous children’s books about Cajun life, many of them about animals.

This narration of Amos the Artistic Alligator is shared here with permission from Tommie Townsley. The book, illustrated by Anne Dentler, is available for purchase on Amazon and at http://kidscajuntales.com/

Tommie is the chairperson of the Southwest Louisiana Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators Guild and publisher of Ally-Gator BookBites Publishing House in Lake Charles. Learn about Tommie Townsley and check out her books at http://kidscajuntales.com/
Music Medley “Upside Duckie” from Confetti Park
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
- Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner – Kermit Ruffins
- Roman Candy Man – Confetti Park Players
- Rubber Duckie – Jeremy Lyons
- Birdy Birdy Tweet Tweet – Mr. Chris Alexander
- Walk – Rob Hudak
- Marches des Maries – Renaissance Cadienne
Music Memory from Alan Dyson

Alan Dyson is a singer-songwriter, artist, and architect from Shreveport, La. Here is a music memory from his childhood.

Alan Dyson
Storytime: Why the Oyster has the Pearl by Johnette Downing

Why the Oyster has the Pearl by Johnette Downing

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.

This narration is available on her Reading Rocks CD, and in book form by Pelican Publishing.

Audio used by permission.
Johnette Downing at Jazz Fest!

Johnette Downing

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!!!
Music Medley “Darn, Spider” from Confetti Park
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.
- How is the Housecat – Schazty
Storytime: The Little Mouse Santi by David Eugene Ray

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.
Music Medley “Pudding” from Confetti Park

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
Storytime: The Sideways Oak by Tiger Chaplain

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.
Music Medley “Dinosaur” from Confetti Park

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)
Storytime: Thorn in My Horn by Alex McConduit

Thorn in My Horn by Alex McConduit

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!
Confetti Park: The Lightning Bug Episode

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.

A great children’s song doesn’t have to be classified in the kids genre. A lot of the music in Louisiana is naturally kids music… Full of whimsy, silliness, and fun. And danceable, too!

This medley of local kids music shows the diversity of Louisiana sounds. Songs featured in this episode in order:

“This Little Light of Mine” – Kermit Ruffins
“Today is Monday in Louisiana” – Johnette Downing
“Lemonade” – Confetti Park Players
“Swahili Baby” – Los Poboycitos
“We are the Lightning Bugs” – The Lightning Bugs
“Little Sally Walker” – Leadbelly
“Itty Bitty” – Susan Cowsill and Paul Sanchez
“Dansez, Codine ” – Renaissance Cadienne