Join us for the turned tables, the flipped script!  I invited a couple of dear PBJamz friends and supporters to come and interview ME for PBJamz!  It was so special sitting on the other side of the questions -- and of course Rekha and Steena came up with some amazing questions!  We had a blast sitting down and sharing all things "Music Plants Hope".  We might have shed a tear or two and we definitely shared some belly laughs!  Come along for the conversation! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! (As you can tell from this picture! :-D)

And, PS, if you missed it, go back and check out Steena's episode for Lupita's Brown Ballet Slippers. Rekha has been a guest multiple times. You can search the archives and find them all. Her most recent episode was That Swingin' Sound.

Music Plants Hope is a lyrical retelling of the concert for plants in Barcelona during the Pandemic. Eugenio Ampudia had an idea -- he filled the Liceu Theater with 2,292 plants and had the UceLi String Quartet to play a piece by Puccini (Crisantemi or Chrysanthemums) to the audience made up only of plants. The prologue and epilogue give the facts of the story, while the main text and glorious illustrations by Natalia Bruno explore the idea of the interaction of the plants and the music through flowing lyrical text and enchanting, colorful, fantastical images of nature.

This is the version of the concert that started it all. The one I watched over and over as I was writing Music Plants Hope. I found it beautiful and fascinating -- and inspiring. You can watch it and decide for yourself.  I believe it to be a testament to our human need for art as well as a way of thumbing our nose at the pandemic as if to say, "You cannot stop art and music. We'll play to an audience of plants or reach out via computer or whatever we have to do, but we will keep making music and art, because we are human and it is like breathing.  It is innate and important and indomitable.

Pinterest board with all sorts of things that relate to the book: information about plants, worksheets and crafts about the parts of plants, experiments with plants and music, Puccini, Crisantemi, string quartets, string instruments, the Liceu Theater, Eugenio Ampudia, Barcelona and more.

YouTube playlist with the interview and other interviews, various versions of Crisantemi, the concert for plants, music for plants, research about music and plants, parts of a plant, music activities for kids, string quartet info, information about Puccini, Eugenio Ampudia, and more!

Virtual tour of Liceu Theater
Liceu Website

Puccini Museum, Lucca, Italy website

​

The book image is linked to the Goodreads page where you can read reviews, find links to purchase and more.  The headshot is linked to my website's home page where you can explore tabs for the book and resources, media kit, social links, and more!

This is where I usually remind you of all the ways to support authors, and it's all true. I would definitely be very grateful if you could:

• request MUSIC PLANTS HOPE at your local library or bookstore.
• If you've read and enjoyed MUSIC PLANTS HOPE, I would very much appreciate positive reviews on Barnes & Noble and/or Goodreads and/or Amazon (after 5.26.26)
• Follow me on socials (You can find them on my Contact page), as well as Amazon and Goodreads.
• Purchase, if you're so inclined. Or, check it out from your local library
• Share the book with others who will enjoy it!

Thank you so much for any and all support. Links to pre-order (or order after 5/26/26) are on the Music Plants Hope page.

Join Christy and me as we chat strings, writing, the life and times of Pablo Casals, symbolism, how illustrators complete a picture book message and more! Such a rich conversation. Pull up a chair and a cuppa and join the convo!  Leave a comment by 11:59 PM ET on Wed., May 6 to be entered to win your own copy of MUSIC AND SILENCE. Of course, we are happy to hear your comments any time!

This is a beautiful book full of gorgeous art, significant text, intricate language, symbolism and  so much more. Mihaly shares with us a chunk of Casal's heart, coupled with beautiful words to explain and share the story, to remind us that our voice (and sometimes our silence) matters.  To remind us that sometimes we need to take a stand, and to remind us that hope is ever present. 

Whew!  This piece brought tears to my eyes.  Hearing his passion as he cried out for peace is so moving.  And the piece entitled "The Birds" is the perfect accompaniment to this glorious book.  I will put additional pieces in the YouTube playlist, so feel free to grab a different one if this is not what you need for your setting, but wow!

YouTube playlist with songs, interviews, reviews and more related to MUSIC AND SILENCE
Pinterest board with  coloring pages, activities for teaching peace, facts and info about Catalonia, Pablo Casals and more!

This is Jen's second visit on PBJamz, and let me invite you into the conversation! We chat about music, violins, and so much more! It's always a lovely, lively chat when I'm with Jen. This follow-up book to MY PIANO is a gem, as is this conversation. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

A beautiful follow-up to MY PIANO, this book follows a young player from his grandfather's luthier shop to playing with an ensemble and passing around the melody.  With rhyming text, Jasinski details the parts of a violin, how it works, the power of practice and the joys of making musical art with an ensemble!  Rhythmic and perfect for read-alouds, this book is perfect for every child who ever considered playing the violin, who loves music, who wants to be part of a group or who is fascinated with sound!

A beautiful cover of "How Far I'll Go" from Moana by a young violinist. Perfect for inspiring young musicians or if you prefer, you can have students work with steady beat or give them scarves or ribbons to play along with the music. As always, if this jam isn't working for you, your family or your students, check out the YouTube playlist below for lots more choices!

Pinterest board full of coloring pages, violin worksheets, practice exercises, information about violins, creating a melody and more!

YouTube playlist with lots of violin playing, lessons, practice exercises, play-alongs and more!

​Gnome Road Publishing link where additional educator resources will be located.

Grab a front row seat and join Baby, David, and me as we chat about his brand new board book! Full of rock music vocabulary and based on everyone's favorite lullaby, this conversation is full of reminders that the path may be long and twisty, with surprises along the way. It also reminds us that flexibility is key. It's a fun chat -- full of arts and heart. ​

The rockinest, rolliest take on Rock-a-Bye Baby you've ever seen!  Bright, beautiful, and bold illustrations, lots of rock and roll subgenres and musical vocabulary, and loads of fun!  You and your littles will thoroughly enjoy this superfun musical boardbook that is full of rock'n'roll heart! 

Music Travel ids is one of my very favorite music groups.  Such a sweet, laid-back sound. This is a lovely version of Rock-a-Bye Baby -- and it has additional verses, which is cool.  This may not be quite as "rockin'" as some of the other songs in the playlist, but it's definitely my favorite!  If you're more interested in rock genres or other connections to the book, definitely check out the YouTube playlist! There are plethoras of versions of Rock-a-Bye Baby, lots of videos about rock music and subgenres of rock, and some other books that would make great companions. I also added some play-along and karaoke versions too. Lots of options there!

YouTube playlist full of rock genre fun, various versions of Rock-a-Bye Baby, play-alongs, sing-alongs, and other books that would make great companions!

Pinterest Board with lots of ideas for rock'n'roll birthdays, classrooms, activities and more, more, more!

Perfect Pairings (Other PBJamz episodes that would partner well with this one. Great as a unit study or if you're looking for additional resources)
ROCK STARS DON'T NAP
​

It might be a bit longer than the typical PBJamz interview, but it winds its way around so many topics and is very interesting and entertaining!  Sandra is a delightful conversationalist and I think that you will enjoy this chat.  I know I did. Come learn about her inspiration, the journey and much, much more!

A tale of rhythm, running, a drum, a secret, and a big ole dose of pride! An old tale, well-told in a new way with charming illustrations.  

A super-fun (and sometimes fast) rhythm play-along for rhythm sticks by Cuban artist Celia Cruz!  This would be great for grades 1 and up. Kinders could probably do it with some extra practice, too.  So fun!  If this is not your jam, check out the YouTube playlist for more Cuban music, virtual field trips and more!

YouTube playlist full of Cuba dances, facts, music, play-alongs and more!

Pinterest board with crafts, info about Cuba, coloring sheets, unit studies and more!

Ingenuity, creativity, adventure, art, literature and more are waiting if you dip into this conversation with Cynthia and me.  What appears to be a simple book is anything but that.  It is full of so many complexities. It was amazing to talk with Cynthia about the concept, process, and publishing journey of this book, which is part of a series focused on Mexican folk art and simple concepts in a bilingual format. What a lovely conversation! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

This picture book is what's known as a concept book. It introduces some musical instruments common in Mexico in both English and Spanish. While the text is certainly simple, the book is far from simplistic, with the multiple layers of the bilingual format -- each phrase is written in English, then Spanish, the musical instrument content, the beautiful wooden sculpture work by a Oaxacan artisan, which was then placed and photographed for the book, a variety of birds depicted in the sculptures, and then a little nod to girl power at the end.  Simple? In some ways.  Simplistic? No way!  A beautiful tribute to the wooden sculptors of Oaxaca while also providing some excellent content in a musical theme. So many layers. So cool!

These are Cynthia's photos of just SOME of the process the artisans went through for every single character.  What care and attention to detail!  They are amazing!

This fun little jam introduces a number of instruments in Spanish and is a great  correlative video to the book.  It extends the book's instruction as it includes a few more instruments. It's great for home or the classroom.  

YouTube playlist with interviews with Cynthia, Mexican ambient music, songs about musical instruments, rhythm practice, body percussion, and more!
Pinterest board with worksheets, study units about Mexico, songs, dances, crafts, and more!

​Cynthia's website has lots of information about the process and more!

Join Kimberly and me as we chat about working with illustrators and editors, watching a vision come to life, pouring our hearts and souls into our work, musical connections, specificity and how it leads to universality and much much more. It's a packed conversation! I hope you enjoy hearing Kimberly's journey for this beautiful book.

With beautiful lyrical text that is part song, part poem, part prayer, part love letter, part entreaty and part affirmation, Kimberly has done a lovely job of putting her love, concern, worry, belief and encouragement for her own son onto the page and generously shared it so that other mothers, other sons and other parents and children can benefit from her kind and heartfelt message.

As a musician, Kimberly often writes and performs songs that go along with her books (as you heard in the interview). This one is no exception. Click on the picture to take you directly to the place on her website where you can preview and download the song. With her strong and beautiful soprano voice, Kimberly adds another layer and gives moms a chance to share Kimberly's musical take on this message through song.

Pinterest board full of affirmations, parenting tips, and more.
YouTube playlist with music and more fun related to this beautiful book!
​Be sure to visit the link above (or go to Kimberly's website) to access the song.

Kimberly's picture is linked to her website where you'll find her socials, songs, books, educational resources and more!

The book image is linked to the Goodreads page, where you'll find links to purchase, reviews, etc.

Flip, fly, pop, lock and groove with Annette Murray and me as we chat about her book highlighting hip hop dance -- BOBBY'S FLIPPIN' FREESTYLE. With an SEL layer about stage fright/performing anxiety, this book will reach varied audiences. Join the conversation as Annette and I talk publishing, layers, SEL (social emotional learning), educational perspectives, and more! Annette is a delight and I think you will enjoy the chat.

Do you wanna get in on the action and learn some moves.  This video is a great place to start -- for you, your kids, your students . . . jump in and get the hip hop vibe going!  Enjoy flippin' and freestyling after getting some basics right here.  This is appropriate for home or school!  Get your groove on and boogie -- hip hop style!

YouTube playlist with hip hop dances, rhythm play-alongs, and more!
Pinterest board with dance moves, vocab, word searches, and more!

Author image is linked to Annette's website; You will find all her books there as well as her socials and her blog. Book image is linked to the Goodreads page where you will find all the purchase options, reviews, and more!

Inspired by the little musical board books she grew up with in Paris, Sarah Breitenother was inspired to replicate those here in the US after moving here and having children of her own.  The result of that dream are these sweet little board books with sound bytes that give kids just a little taste of various genres of music.  These little books are small enough to tuck in a purse or diaper bag, durable for little hands and full of music that will create bonding experiences for kids and their significant adults.  Get one or get them all!  They make great baby shower gifts and young birthdays. Give the gift of a book and music all wrapped up in one little gem of a boardbook.

Parent Hub from Pirouette
​Pinterest Board full of Resources
YouTube playlist with related resources

Click the images below to access links.  Author's image for website  Book image for access to books.

If you would like to own your own copy of one of these sweet little sound byte board books, leave a comment below to be entered in the PBJamz giveaway by 11:59 PM on Sunday, January 25, 2026.  I'll randomly choose a winner after the entry period. You can choose your favorite book to receive if you win!
​

• Please remember there are great ways to support authors:​​​

​Request their books from the library
Buy their book(s) -- for yourself or as a gift
Leave reviews for their books
Follow them on socials
​Share their books with others who will enjoy them

This book is a lovely introduction to orchestral instruments and attending a concert along with various musical concepts!  It's perfect for our youngest musicians!  The illustrations are absolutely adorable -- and integral to the story!  The text is one that caregivers, parents, and teachers will enjoy reading on repeat! You and your kiddos/students will love this one!

This is a fun little ditty that also introduces some of the instruments of the orchestra.  If this one isn't your jam, there are quite a few more on the playlist below in the links section.

Since this book is for our youngest musicians in training (toddlers - preschool), my tips will focus on that. Of course, if you are in a primary grade, the book would work equally well there as there are some fun literary devices and comprehension activities you could do. And the musical content would still be appropriate -- especially if it's a rural school or high poverty level where kids don't have a lot of access to instruments and these concepts may be new.  Having said that, the illustrations will definitely have a lot of appeal for toddlers/preschool age and the draw will lessen as children age.

First of all, it is important to note that repeat readings are key for kids of this age.  Also, as those of you teaching/working with them know well, their attention span is very short.  So, keep that in mind.  I would read aloud and focus on probably one of these things. The next reading I would focus on a different activity.  You could easily do daily lessons for a week on this book for this age.

If you are a parent/caregiver wanting to use this book and get some extra educational mileage out of it, I would suggest similarly that you choose one - two concepts to focus on with subsequent readings. 

I also have to say that this book in particular lends itself to a gift-giving set/basket/etc.-- Think of pairing this book with a little blanket stuffie, a fun magic wand/conductor's baton and perhaps one of the other toys in the book. What an absolutely precious gift that would make!

Layers and tips/follow-up activities.
Alliteration: Some of the spreads have lots of alliterative activities. These are fun to read aloud, fun to identify the repeated sound. You could even chant them, adding rhythm, etc.  

Rhyme: Read, listen for the rhyming words. Play around with the rhymes -- find new words that rhyme.  If your child is writing-ready, then have them copy the write the words.  There are some fun word family activities on Pinterest that you could download, create, and use to go along as well.

Onomatopoeia: Kids love onomatopoeia!  Play around with this idea of words for sounds. If you focus on this, you might pull out the old See'n'Say or play the song, "What Does the Fox Say" or "Who Let the Dogs Out" or "Old MacDonald Had a Farm" etc.

For music teachers (in the preschool/daycare/early homeschool/kindergarten space mostly)

As the book beautifully introduces each instrument, be sure to use and focus on the embedded vocabulary.  Call-and-response is effective.
Ie. "This is a conductor. What is it?" -- (students: conductor) or something like that works well.  Playing little matching games (two pictures of same instrument or if kids are reading, the instrument and name matching)  If you have access to these instruments or someone could come in to play, that would be ideal.  But either way, be sure to use Janna's playlist in the links section to reinforce the sounds.
Musical vocabulary: 
Conductor
Baton
Violin
Strings
Bow
Viola
Cello
Trumpet
Tuba
Flute
Clarinet
Keys
Kettledrums (Tympani)
Cymbals

Conductor
In the interview, Janna and I talk a lot about conducting and how kids perceive that. It would be fun to give each student their own conducting baton (chopstick or craft stick with a star on the end [to match the one in the book].) Practice counting 1,2,3,4 and teach littles that 1=downbeat (bottom). then left-right for 2-3 and top for 4; repeat.  You're reinforcing math/counting skills, one-one correspondence and crossing the midline, as well as improving large motor skills. This is also a repeating pattern, so you're getting a lot of bang for your buck with the conducting piece too.

Names/verbs-to-nouns
Whether you do this in spoken form (or written for more advanced students), one thing students struggle with is different forms of words.  Ie.  She is a conductOR She conductS. Now you can conduct. We are conducting. etc.
Violin-violinist
Cello- cellist
Trumpet -- trumpeter
etc. 
Play around with the various forms of the vocabulary words and help kids get used to hearing (and saying) different forms of the word and that they are relative.

 Concert etiquette
Several places the book mentions etiquette for listening to live music, so this is a great conversation for littles (and olders)
When do we clap?
How do we listen?
Should we talk or play during the music?
etc.
​Why do they bow?

Pitch (Concept of high/low)
​It's mentioned several times in the text, so this is a great time to introduce littles to the concepts of high and low. Play the instrument snippets and whether they sound high or low. If kids are ready you can talk about the characteristics of each instrument that makes them sound low or high.

1) READ, READ, READ books in the genre you want to write--picture book, middle grade, poetry, YA. Use the ones you love as "mentor texts," studying them to learn how they do it successfully. Then write, revise, receive critiques...REPEAT! 

2) Scour the most recent CHILDREN'S WRITER'S AND ILLUSTRATOR'S MARKET guide book, in print or digitally, to better understand the industry, your genre, the craft of writing, what editors and agents are looking for, how to find an agent, how to submit queries. It includes indexes by subject matter at the rear, full of publishing info. 

3) Join the SCBWI (pro organization for the children's publishing industry). Read the website thoroughly and find a local critique group via your region's chapter. SCBWI conferences offer great learning and networking, chances to meet agents and editors and to register in advance for a paid critique.

4) Regarding finding an agent, check out manuscript wish lists on twitter at #MSWL as well as www.manuscriptwishlist.com, where editors and agents show what they want in general. ​

YouTube playlist full of songs and informational videos, as well as orchestral pieces perfect for little ears, and more!

Spotify playlist that Janna curated to accompany the book (mentioned in the interview.)

Pinterest board with teaching activities, other book and music recommendations, crafts, and more!