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Congratulations to Sandra F. Coliny! You won the copy of BIG TUNE from Alliah Agostini! You're going to LOVE it! So fun and full of rhythm and rhyme -- sure to have you ready to "bust a move"! Enjoy! Thanks, Alliah, for your generosity and thanks, Sandra for tuning in! Ashley Belote and I chat art, music, and more!Ashley is a delight and we had a a GREAT conversation! Come on in and join us as we chat! Her book, LISTEN UP LOUELLA is precious! It's so full of fun, so don't skip it! LISTEN UP LOUELLA LOUELLA is an elephant -- with a big personality! She gets her feelings hurt when she gets left out, but in the end she realizes that much of it is in her control. She learns the power of being a good listener and a good friend after quite a few MISadventures. Music shows up in a few places in this super fun summer camp story, and when it does, it adds to the color and fun of the book! The illustrations and colors are full of camp fun, and this cast of characters will make you wish for summer days again! LouElla is relatable for kids, and this story has an SEL component that will have kids learning as they're laughing. A Little Jam. . .(The Music Kind)While this song doesn't talk specifically about listening, it does talk about friendship and it has the colorful summer camp vibe of LISTEN UP, LOUELLA. It's got a great beat if you'd like to use it in music class. Check out the playlist for more fun music to use in your classroom. And take a look at the tips for the classroom and music classroom for more fun things to do with this book in your classes. Teacher Tips, Tricks and TopicsAshley's book is full of great topics for teachers and there are many ways to use it in your classroom! It's full of great layers and a super-strong SEL connection! If I were using it in the regular classroom, here are some ways I would consider:
Tips and Topics for Music TeachersWhile the music content is not as prominent in this story as some of the others I've featured on PBJamz, there are lots of ways you could integrate this book into a successful music lesson or even a unit.
Writing Prompts from Tonnye
Writing/Illustrating Tips from Ashley1. Let your environment do the talking! Always keep an open mind, wherever you are. Ideas can strike when you least expect them! Always have a notebook around (especially if you're an illustrator), because you'll need somewhere to jot down ideas! 2. Don't edit yourself in your head. Sometimes we think of an idea and immediately say, "That won't work." This is not the right way to create. We must always give our ideas a chance. Yes, they could turn out to be amazing, but sometimes they can lead to other ideas. Regardless of what path they take, they are working toward your success. 3. Exaggerate. When actors are on stage, they are often told to make their movements more exaggerated than they would normally because part of acting is exaggerating. Art is the same way. If you are drawing a character reaching up to get something, exaggerate it more. Stretch the arms longer, squish objects to the point of them breaking, elongate things, twist, turn, etc! Every time I make a drawing, I revise and exaggerate the movement just a bit more and it always makes me feel better. We need to create energetic, active, and entertaining scenes, and one way to do this is through the linework in our art. eek, check back for writing tips Links, More Fun, Extensions for Families and Everyone!Pinterest board with lots of fun links to resources and activities to go along with LISTEN UP LOUELLA YouTube playlist with camp songs, listening songs/activities, read-aloud and art activity from Ashley and more! Activity kit to go along with LISTEN UP LOUELLA -- Earn Roar Scout badges, color, draw, go on a scavenger hunt and more! PBJamz Snack A perfect camp snack or breakfast, these PBJ granola bars are easy to whip up, simple to serve and a perfect summer PBJ recipe! Guest Links and Giveaways Ashley Belote is the illustrator of FRANKENSLIME (Feiwel & Friends, 2021) and VALENSLIME (Feiwel & Friends, 2021). She is the author-illustrator of her solo debut early reader THE ME TREE (Penguin Workshop, 2021) and her solo debut picture book LISTEN UP, LOUELLA (Feiwel & Friends, 2022).
She studied traditional animation under the direction of Don Bluth. Ashley is a West Virginia native, and earned her BA from Alderson Broaddus University. She earned her MA in Arts Administration from the University of Kentucky. Her graduate study included a children’s literature and illustration course, The Whole Book Approach, through Simmons College at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. She also serves as the Illustrator Coordinator for the Carolinas chapter of SCBWI. Ashley is represented by Moe Ferrara of BookEnds Literary Agency. Check out her links below: Ashley's website FB YouTube GoodReads If you'd like to order signed copies of Ashley's books, order through Main Street Books in Davidson, NC. Speaking of books, Ashley is giving away a signed copy of LISTEN UP, LOUELLA. Simply comment below to be entered into a drawing to win!
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CONGRATULATIONS to . . . .Steena Hernandez!!! You are the lucky winner of Ellen Leventhal's prize!!! Your choice of: A Zoom visit (AMA or a classroom visit) OR A copy of DEBBIE'S SONG Thanks, Ellen, for your generosity, and thank you, Steena, for your support of PBJamz and our visiting authors! A FUN CONVERSATION WITH ALLIAH AGOSTINIGrab a Ting and pull up a chair! Alliah and I had a great conversation that ranged from BIG TUNE, her inspiration, her family, her writing process, the role of music in her life and in the book, teaching and education and their role in her life as well as her family's life, and all the upcoming things. Come laugh along with us as we talk culture, childhood, and books. BIG TUNE: RISE OF THE DANCEHALL PRINCE From end paper to end paper (both covered with cassette tape images), this book is full of music, fun, dancing, and more. It follows shy Shane, who secretly wants to dance, but isn't quite ready to bust a move in public. Family gatherings, Jamerican style, complete with delicious Jamaican food and drink center and ground the book, with "Soul Food Sunday"-esque vibes. When Shane is alone, though, the moves and song burst forth. He becomes the hero of his own story, but to see if he gets brave enough to share his love of music and dance, you'll have to read the book. Beautiful paper collage illustrations crown this fun music-centered, food-loving, culture-sharing book. The bright, bold color scheme is perfect for telling this colorful tale! Oh, and consider yourself warned: Check your spice cabinet or have Uber-Eats on speed dial, because you're definitely going to want some Jerk something after reading! I've had jerk chicken, jerk pork chops, Jamaican peas and rice, Jamaican cabbage, fried plantains, and tropical salsa since reading . . . . oh, it's a vibe you're going to want to give in to . . . As a matter of fact, here's the link to my Caribbean foods Pinterest board (you know, just. in. case. ;-) A Little Jam. . .(The Music Kind)If you want to try your hand at some of the Jamaican dancehall moves, here's a quick run-through of a bunch. This video was made to go along with another book about Jamaican dance: “Back to Basics: A-Z of Dancehall” by Latoya Wakefield. It would be an excellent accompaniment book to BIG TUNE! So learn to bust a move -- or 26! Share them with your children, your students, etc. and get your groove on together. You can be your own dancehall king, queen, prince, or princess! For more dancehall music, singing, dancing, etc., be sure to check out the links section below for the YouTube playlist! Teacher Tips, Tricks and TopicsThis book has some very natural multidisciplinary segues into a classroom.
Tips and Topics for Music Teachers
Writing Prompts from Tonnye
Writing Tips from Alliah L. AgostiniHave no inspiration? Are you sure? You may have all the inspiration you need inside. Perhaps you think you're the most uninteresting, most typical person in the world. With the most typical childhood experiences. WRONG. What is typical? Nothing. Your story and your experiences are unique to you, but they may be fascinating to somebody else. Besides, you may never know who may find your experiences or interests relatable or comforting. Start digging into that memory bank when you need inspiration. There's a reason people say 'write what you know'. Write in rhyme if you feel it's appropriate. But if you want it acquired, you better make it excellent. We always hear 'don't write in rhyme, editors don't like it.' That's not true. While all editors don't acquire rhyme, editors don't like bad rhyme. Reading some of my old rhyming work triggers a serious cringefest. No wonder it's nowhere but my computer right now. If you find yourself: -rhyming for rhyme's sake -using odd sentence construction for the sake of rhyme -letting the rhyme lead the story rather than the story leading the rhyme -writing in uneven meter... Then stop. Take a beat. Consider if you need to continue down this path, and if you do, keep working. Good rhyme takes time (that was a total coincidence, by the way). If not- consider another way to tell your story. -Bottom Line: Write the stories you want to read. I don't know how many times I've heard and said 'Be the change you want to see.' I believe it. You feel like there's a story you really want to read? Don't be passive - do it yourself. It's easy to feel like you need to write to fit a trend, but trends change quickly and publishing is slow. By the time you've completed, let alone published that trendy manuscript, that ship may have sailed. Links, More Fun, Extensions for Families and Everyone!YouTube playlist with lots of teachable content mentioned in the teaching section above Pinterest board with teaching ideas about Jamaica, food, money, and dancehall music and more. Spotify instrumental school-safe playlist created by Alliah! PBJamz Snack-Peanut Butter 'n Jamaican Honey on Hardo Bread I love to connect my PBJamz snack to the episode when I can, so I asked Alliah about Jamaican versions of PBJ. She said her kids really enjoy peanut butter with Jamaican ("decadent smoky, floral flavor)" honey on Jamaican hard dough (hardo) bread. She called this a Jamerican recipe. I'm linking up the recipe for the Hardo bread, and trusting you to put whatever you want on it. :-). It's a slight departure from the PBJ, but it sounds delicious! As for myself, I ordered up some Jamaican honey. It's supposed to be from a farm in Jamaica. We'll see. I might have to bake up some hardo too to finish out my Jamaican feasting. I may not have traveled to Jamaica over Spring Break, but between reading Alliah's book, listening to the music and eating the food, I've had a Jamaican staycation for sure! (photo credit and recipe from Winsome Murphy at Jamaicans.com Guest Links and Giveaways Meet Alliah -- on her website
To order a copy of BIG TUNE from Amazon To find Alliah on Twitter Alliah on Instagram Link to her books page on her website And, Alliah is offering a copy of BIG TUNE to one lucky winner during this episode! To be eligible, simply leave a comment below and you'll be entered into a drawing! CONGRATULATIONS Jennifer Cowan!!! You are the winner of a copy of THE NOTE WHO FACED THE MUSIC by Lindsay Bonilla! Thanks for tuning in to PBJamz! Ellen Levanthal and I talk music, books, writing, and more!Join Ellen and I as we talk legacy, light, persecution, music, and writing, among other things. We had a lovely conversation! We invite you to learn more about Debbie Friedman and how she changed jewish music. Also, Ellen and I talk about her writing process, and what's coming next for her, DEBBIE'S SONG: The Debbie Friedman Story by Ellen Leventhal, illustrated by Natalia Grebtsova Ellen's words and Natalia Grebtsova's beautiful illustrations bring Debbie Friedman to life -- her superpower of music, her passion for creating worship music that was engaging, her commitment to her life's work, her perseverance in the face of adversity. With strong and beautiful language, Debbie's voice is heard again through the pages of this gorgeous book. Her heart shines in each line. Published by Kar-Ben publishing. A Little Jam. . .(The Music Kind)This Jewish (Hebrew) alphabet song by Debbie is a great way to introduce to kids that, not only are there different languages, but some of those languages use different alphabets. It's a fun song with lots of uses in the classroom or with your family or homeschool. Teacher Tips, Tricks and Topics
Tips and Topics for Music Teachers
Writing Prompts from Tonnye
Writing Tips from Ellen Leventhal
Links, More Fun, Extensions for Families and Everyone!
PBJamz Snack -- These lovely hamentaschen are a snack for Purim, related to the biblical story of Esther. You can find the recipe here. (MELISSA KAYE APTER on the blog https://jamiegeller.com/) And you can find out more about the history and significance of the hamestaschen here. Guest Links and GiveawaysEllen Leventhal is an educator and writer in Houston, Texas. She taught in a Jewish school where Debbie Friedman’s music could be heard as she walked down the hallways. Ellen is the author of several picture books as well as short stories and poetry. Her favorite thing to do is visit schools and share her love of literacy and the importance of having a dream. To learn more about Ellen, go to www.EllenLeventhal.com.  Ellen Leventhal's website --
FB To purchase DEBBIE'S SONG from Amazon Ellen has graciously agreed to give the winner of this giveaway a choice of:
Congratulations to Jany Campana! You are the winner of a signed copy of LITTLE ROSETTA AND THE TALKING GUITAR! I know you're going to LOVE this PB biography of Rosetta Tharpe, powerhouse originator of rock 'n' roll sound! Thanks for your constant support of PBJamz! And thank you to Charnelle Pinkney Barlow for your beautiful book, great conversation and your generosity! If anyone missed that episode, check it out now! :-) A Conversation with Lindsay Bonilla, author of THE NOTE WHO FACED THE MUSIC: storytelling, music, arts, passion, and more!Join Lindsay and me as we talk about her writing process, musical connections, storytelling, music, the value of the arts in the schools, tips for authors and so much more! Enjoy this great conversation and then get your hands on this book! THE NOTE WHO FACED THE MUSICFrom the very first line, we know we're in for quite a romp. Hidden behind all the fun musical puns and sophisticated music vocabulary and content, is a sweet story that we can all relate to. Half note feels "not quite whole" , a bit left out, not enough. I know I can relate to half note's predicament sometimes. At the heart of this story is learning to value ourselves and to recognize that we bring a unique gift and perspective to every situation where we find ourself. But it is couched in a fun, cheeky story of a runaway note and the friends who cheerfully conspire to bring her home and let her know how much they appreciate and need her. Full of humor and wordplay, SEL heart, musical content and rich vocabulary, this book has many layers to please children and teachers alike! Published by Page Street Kids, written by Lindsay Bonilla and illustrated by Mark Hoffman. For purchasing link, check out the Giveaway links section!  A Little Jam. . .(The Music Kind)Since the book talks about specifically Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, I'm including this piece. There are many other versions you could choose to use. I like this one because it's a little different, and it doesn't require any equipment. It also still emphasizes the half notes at the end of each phrase. If you don't prefer this one, there are lots more on the Pinterest boards and the YouTube playlist(s) that I'll link below next week. This one uses hand motions, but there are sheet music versions, boomwhacker versions and much more! Enjoy! Teacher Tips, Tricks and Topics
Tips and Topics for Music Teachers
Writing Prompts from TonnyeSo many fun writing activities from this text:
Writing Tips from Lindsay Bonilla1) Be authentic. Read the work of others. Yes — read widely in the genre you want to write in, particularly books published in the last 5 years!! Be inspired by other writers, but find your own voice. Say what matters to you in the way that only you can say it. 2) Write what you can when you can. If you don’t have a lot of time, don’t make that an excuse not to write. Scribble ideas in the margins. Write for 15 minutes or only 5 if that’s what you’ve got. When you don’t have time to sit down and write, write in your head. This is what I did (and still do!) when my children were very small, and I spent most of the day holding them, feeding them, putting them to sleep, etc. Try to picture your story like a movie playing in your mind. See the characters and try to hear their voices. Then when you go to sit down to write something, you may have a more fully formed story waiting for you. 3) Lean on your friends. The writing community is a great community. Make friends with other writers. Find critique partners who will give you honest feedback and who are willing to help you brainstorm. Do the same for them! 4) Have equal parts confidence and humility. This is a hard business. You have to believe in yourself and your work. Sometimes this will mean speaking up for your vision for a project. At the same time, you have to be completely humble -- open to learning from others and willing to admit that there may be different (or even better!) ways of doing things than you had considered. Links, More Fun, Extensions for Families and Everyone!YouTube playlist with lots of fun music activities for half note and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. YouTube playlist with tons of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star activities/versions Pinterest board for Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Pinterest board with half note activities and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star PBJamz Snack -- Peanut butter and Jelly Doughnuts!Half note has a hole -- like a doughnut, so I thought these would be the perfect PBJ snacks to accompany this book! AND, these are relatively healthy -- or at least safe for those with allergies and food sensitivities. They look divine! and I'm sure they'll make everyone on your staff feel like they belong. They'll stop singing the blues and will be wholly devoted to you -- no half-noted (er, I mean half-hearted) accolades for these doughnuts! If you try them, let me know in the comments, and check out more recipes from Two Spoons: Recipes worth Sharing! Get the recipe for peanut butter and jelly doughnuts!  Guest Links and Giveaways Lindsay Bonilla is a professional storyteller and children’s book author from North Canton, Ohio. She lives with her husband, two wild and creative kids (who believe themselves to be a Komodo dragon and lion, respectively), and her dog, Blitzen. While earning her Bachelor’s degree in theatre and religion at Northwestern University, she fell in love with folktales and world travel. Lindsay has performed interactive theatre, shared stories and taught workshops all over the world. These experiences have made her passionate about building understanding and relationships across cultures while inspiring the imagination. When she’s not writing or performing, she can be found building Legos with her kids as they brainstorm her next book idea.
To connect with Lindsay or purchase THE NOTE WHO FACED THE MUSIC, check out the links below. Please note, she has additional books available via her website. To purchase THE NOTE WHO FACED THE MUSIC Lindsay is generously giving away one copy of THE NOTE WHO FACED THE MUSIC. To be eligible, simply leave a comment below and you'll be entered into a drawing! One lucky winner will have a copy of Lindsay and Mark's beautiful book to keep! Congratulations to . . . Elyse Travers! She is the winner of a copy of DOLLY! by Robyn McGrath! Thank you, Elyse for visiting PBJamz! Come on back any time! Chatting with CharnelleWhat a delightful conversation about music and art and picture books for all ages. We chat Sister Rosetta, rock 'n' roll, paper collage, perseverance and so much more! Charnelle is precious! Her art is gorgeous, and her words are beautiful. Get your hands on a copy of the book -- it's perfect for black history month, women's history month, and every single month of the year. And yes, it's a picture book, but it's about a lady with some amazing talent and some amazing legacy, which makes it perfect for all ages! (We talk about that, too!) Don't forget to comment on the blog post to be eligible to win a signed copy of LITTLE ROSETTA! And support Charnelle by leaving a review, making a purchase or sharing out on socials! LITTLE ROSETTA AND THE TALKING GUITAR LITTLE ROSETTA AND THE TALKING GUITAR is a beautiful book. The words are beautiful, the subject is beautiful, and the art is beautiful. When you put all of that together, this book is more than beautiful! Not only that, but there are so many little layers that can be brought to the surface in the classroom or as part of a read-aloud. If you're in a home school or classroom setting, be sure to check out the teacher tips section when they're posted. So many teaching topics. The music connections are somewhat obvious, but in the music teacher section, I'll point those out, along with the less-obvious ways as well that you could use this book in your music lessons. One of the themes I love about this book is perseverance. Anyone who's ever attempted to learn to play an instrument knows that feeling of what it sounds like in my head vs. what it sounds like in my ears. Charnelle captures that feeling beautifully, but goes on to show that Rosetta, even at 4, 5, 6 years old was very persistent in her learning. I also love the onomatopoeia and the focus on all the sounds Rosetta probably heard as a child and how they influenced her music. There is also lyricism and figurative language in abundance. There's girl power and overcoming hardship. And beautiful just doesn't share all of that. But, beautiful, it is. . . . A Little Jam. . .(The Music Kind)I can't watch Sister Rosetta without smiling. She has a vivacity that is contagious, and her talent is unparalleled. This piece is a great one to share with kids since many of them are familiar with "This Little Light of Mine". What a fun version of the song to introduce them to. There are lots of fun things you could do with this song -- whether you're in a music classroom, a regular classroom, a homeschool setting, or even preschool. Everyone is bound to enjoy this version of a classic. You have clarinet and trumpet solos too, which is fun from an elementary music standpoint, in addition to her outstanding electric guitar solo. Teacher Tips, Tricks and TopicsArt --
Tips and Topics for Music TeachersGospel influences on Rosetta's music Beginnings of rock 'n' roll style Instruments mentioned in the book
Other historical figures in early rock 'n' roll history Guitar lessons/vocabulary/terminology Science of strings -- explore guitar and mandolin Writing Prompts from Tonnye1. Faith and gospel music had a huge influence on Rosetta's music. If you are a person of faith, write about how your faith has influenced your life so far and/or what your hopes are for the future. 2. Write a paragraph (or a page -- or a book) describing Sister Rosetta and/or her performances. 3. Write additional lyrics for "This Little Light of Mine". OR 4. Write about what that song means to you. 5. Rosetta Tharpe is sometimes called the "Godmother of Rock 'n' Roll". Write about whether that is the best title for her or if there is a better one and why. 6. Write a poem about Rosetta Tharpe . 7. Write a concrete/shape poem about her guitar. 8. Write part of Rosetta's story from the point-of-view of her guitar. 9. If you could sing or perform with Rosetta, what song would you choose and why? 10. Write a list of 10 interesting facts about Rosetta Tharpe. 11. Look carefully at the art work in the book. What do you notice? What is interesting? 12. Rosetta learned to play the guitar at a young age. Write about something you learned to do when you were very young. How did it feel? Was it hard? How did you meet that challenge? 13. Write a speech explaining why Rosetta Tharpe should or should not be inducted into the rock 'n' roll hall of fame or a similar award. Writing Tips from Charnelle Barlow1. Get the first draft down on the page without worrying about the intricate details too much. Getting it out of your head and onto the page is what's most important at the early stages. 2. Find a group of likeminded people you can bounce ideas off of and get constructive criticism from. It definitely helps you see your project from different perspectives which can help tremendously when you're stuck. 3. Join the SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators) if you're writing or illustrating for children. They are a treasure trove of information and host regional events as well as conferences. This is a great way to get critiques from peers, agents, editors, and to learn from people in the industry. 4. Have fun! I know...sounds simple, but trust me...people can tell if you aren't having fun with what you're writing or illustrating. Let them feel your joy. Links, More Fun, Extensions for Families and Everyone!PBJamz Snack -- PB&J Snack Cake Listening to Sister Rosetta and her gospel-infused music is enough to make you long for church potlucks or "dinners on the grounds" as we grew up calling them. This is perfect for a church potluck, or afternoon snacks for the kids, or any other time, I'd wager! A delicious PBJ snack cake! Find the recipe here And check out kitchn for more great recipes! Guest Links and Giveaways Congratulations Carrie Suzanne Karnes-Fannin! You are the winner of your choice of the StoryTime books read by the Cleveland Orchestra. AND Congratulations Janet Frenck Sheets! You are the winner of a musical picture book critique. Thank you both for checking out PBJamz! I hope you'll come back often! Interview with Robyn McGrath, author of DOLLY!: THE STORY OF DOLLY PARTON AND HER BIG DREAMWe hope you enjoy this chat with Robyn as she talks inspiration, research, publishing process, musical connections, and what's next! DOLLY! The Story of Dolly Parton and Her Big Dream While there are other picture books on the market about Dolly, this one focuses on Dolly's childhood and the big dreams she had and how she made her dreams come true. The language is so lovely and country and well done. I love the phraseologies and the "twang". Anyone who is a fan of Dolly will enjoy this look at Dolly the dreamer and how she started her journey to become the beautiful strong woman, prolific performer, reader/writer, and literacy leader, entrepreneur, and all the facets that make up Dolly. A Little Jam. . .(The Music Kind)Dolly has touched so many genres, and it is only fitting that she moved into the children's realm. This song is perfect to follow up the. book and also perfect to go along with THE LITTLE ENGINE THAT COULD which is always the first book children receive from the Imagination Library. This is a sweet and positive song with Dolly's signature vocals and full of affirmations to encourage children to reach out for their own dreams! Teacher Tips, Tricks and Topics
Tips and Topics for Music Teachers
Writing Prompts from Tonnye
Writing Tips from Robyn McGrath1. Write that bad first draft. It takes a lot of willpower to write without editing as you go. If you’re like me, when I edit as I’m writing I trip up on my words and get easily sidetracked on punctuation, spelling, and grammar. Try letting the words flow without hitting the delete button AND without judgment. I personally like to set a 20-minute timer so that I work uninterrupted for shorter periods of time. The hardest part about writing is getting the full story down. And once you do… remember only YOU will see that bad first draft. 2. Read, read, and read some more. Read for rhythm, story structure, pacing, and page turns. Find the picture book you most connect with, what draws you to that style of writing? What feeling did the text elicit while you were reading? And how did the author use page turns to build suspense? Make note of all these great insights and decide how you can use them in your own manuscript. 3. Edit for fun! In the past I dreaded having to edit. But now I find that chopping, rearranging, and rewriting CAN be enjoyable. Can I try a new word here? Move this sentence there? Do I need this sentence at all? How can I say this same sentiment in as few words as possible? It’s like a puzzle, and well, I LOVE puzzles! In end if you’re afraid of cutting your darlings, try cutting and pasting them to a separate word doc, you just might find use for them later. 4. Be vulnerable. Yes, this is a tough one! To be a writer one must share their work with others for feedback. It can be hard to hear feedback about our work, especially when the story is close to our hearts. But often our critique partners can see something we can’t by offering us ideas that are new and fresh. Ideas that might just get other ideas flowing. Which in turn can give you a renewed energy about your manuscript! That is the power of a critique group! Of course, in the end the choice is yours to accept the feedback or not, but by having options YOU get to play with your manuscript in a new way. Links, More Fun, Extensions for Families and Everyone!
PBJamz Snack -- Peanut Butter and Jelly Biscuits! As a Southerner, Dolly loves Southern country cooking, including biscuits! So, for today's PBJamz snack, I'm suggesting Dolly's famous biscuits made into sweet little PBJ biscwiches that are worth singing about and will make your toes tap! Of course, you can also enjoy them plain or with butter or jam only and leave out the peanut butter, but then, why would you? Just kidding! You enjoy them however you like, but I hope you'll give her biscuits and our PBJ biscwiches a try! This recipe is courtesy of Taste of Home! Guest Links and Giveaways Check out all the places you can find Robyn!
Website Order Dolly and get more info GIVEAWAY DETAILS!! Robyn is offering one winner YOUR CHOICE of either A copy of DOLLY! OR A PB CRITIQUE Congratulations to Jennifer Thomas! You are the winner of a copy of LISTEN! Shannon, thanks for your generosity, and Jennifer, thanks for checking out PBJamz! I hope you'll share it with the teachers and musicians and authors in your world! Overview of Cleveland Orchestra resourcesSomething different for this episode. I had a little break between interviews, and I've been exploring some amazing resources from the Cleveland orchestra. This video is an overview of the resources and some information about this episode's giveaway . . . .watch to the end for that info and leave me a comment as to which prize you want if you win. There will be 2 separate giveaways. Check out the video and the giveaway section. Links!Music Explorers on YouTube Early Childhood playlist on YouTube Storytime with the Cleveland Orchestra on YouTube What is an Orchestra playlist on YouTube PBJamz books from the Cleveland Orchestra and linksI've linked up tons of lessons, activities and resource lists below that go with each of the books on the StoryTime playlist. I'm sure there are more, and I may add them later, but this should give you a happy plethora of ideas to start with to use these books in your classroom, preschool, homeschool, etc. Please support these authors and the Cleveland Orchestra in whatever ways you can!
GIVEAWAY!!!I'm offering a double giveaway this episode (2/2 & 2/9). Please let me know in the comments which giveaway you'd like to enter.
1. For my author friends -- a picture book manuscript critique for a manuscript WITH MUSICAL CONNECTIONS. (Future PBJamz material ;-)) 2. For my non-author friends (or author friends who prefer a book ;-), I will purchase your choice of the featured books (in the list above) from the Cleveland Orchestra StoryTime playlist and send it to you in the mail. To be eligible, leave a comment below by 11:59 PM on Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023! Tell me if you prefer a book or a critique. There will be 2 separate drawings! It's a double giveaway for PBJamz (almost) birthday. February 24 makes 1 year of PBJamz content! You can help PBJamz grow by sharing it with : 1. Music teachers (Your friends, your children's music teachers, the music teachers at your church, on your social media, etc.) 2. Aspiring authors (We often give away critiques and there are writing tips from authors, songwriters, author-illustrators, etc.!) 3. Preschool teachers/daycare workers (Many of the books I share are perfect to share with our youngest upcoming musicians and would be a wonderful addition to their preschool experience. 4. Anyone who loves kidlit. . . . 5. Anyone who loves music. . . 6. Anyone you think of when you're perusing PBJamz episodes. 7. Oh, yes, and anyone who loves peanut butter and jelly ;-). Congratulations Christal Benton! You are the winner of a signed copy of BARNYARD BOOGIE by Tim McCanna. Tim, thanks for your generosity and thanks to all the commenters, readers and watchers for your support of PBJamz Interview with Shannon Stocker, author of LISTENShannon and I talk music, publishing, writing process, the amazing musicality and humanity of Evelyn Glennie, next steps, upcoming books, and more! Shannon is a gracious woman of strength and vitality who pours heart and soul into her books. Check out the chat below! Listen: How Evelyn Glennie, a Deaf Girl, Changed Percussion  The illustrations send an invitation that the text enhances. If you accept the invitation, prepare to be amazed and charmed. This book is beautiful in every sense of the word! The subject matter is intriguing and diverse. The illustrations are welcoming, colorful and expansive. The language is lyrical, cohesive, and enlightening. If you are looking for a book full of science, music, heart, strength, and so much more, this is one for you! If you want to take it a step further, check out the youtube playlist in the links section and watch Evelyn Glennie in action. Utterly amazing. Start to finish. A Little Jam. . .(The Music Kind)Normally, I choose a little ditty that teachers can use in class in conjunction with the book and that kids will find engaging. This episode, I've chosen slightly differently. Firstly, of course, I was intrigued by "Peanut Butter Jam". As I began listening, I was further intrigued that Evelyn took the time to respond to a group of students who had written simple compositions. That touches me. Beyond that, this is a mini-master class in percussion. It would be fabulous to use it as a precursor to a "found sound" music lesson, perfect for beginning percussionists in primary/elementary school to begin thinking about/paying attention to the various components of drumming (sticks/mallets/striking instruments, parts of the drum, dampeners, and so much more. Lots of food for thought here. Very cool! I think kids would respond well to this and it gives them permission to play in some unusual ways and using some unusual items. If this is not your jam ;-), there are lots more songs in the YouTube playlist in the links section. I'm sure you'll find at least one that will be appropriate for your setting! Teacher Tips, Tricks and Topics
Tips and Topics for Music TeachersSo much you could teach, using this book as a springboard. Here are some broad categories with a few ideas. There are more ideas on the YouTube playlists and the Pinterest board.
Writing Prompts from Tonnye
Writing Tips from Shannon Stocker1) I know everyone says this…but BUTT. IN. CHAIR. I don’t think I’ve ever struggled with writer’s block because if I force myself to sit and type, eventually something will come out that I like. If you don’t know what to write, jot down foods that you like. Go to Walmart and then come back and describe people you saw…maybe even make up histories for them. Describe animals that you love, and pair them together with other unlikely critters. Just TYPE. 2) Join SCBWI. And if you write picture books, join 12x12. Even if it’s not January, do StoryStorm. Follow other writers on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Immerse yourself in the community. It’s a good one. :-) 3) Last (but DEFINITELY not least)…get critique partners (CPs). I cannot tell you how important this is. If you’re a beginning writer, don’t expect to join a group of established writers—find other newbies who have the same determination that you do, and ask them to exchange work with you. Private Facebook groups or group emails can work well for this. I know that may sound like it doesn’t make sense, but I promise it does. All my critique partners and I started off green and grew together. Those who were less serious eventually dropped out, while others would join along the way. You have to start somewhere, so open yourself up to forming new friendships and allow yourself to be vulnerable. When you find someone whose comments resonate with you, hold on tight! A good critique partner is GOLD. I feel so incredibly blessed to have as many as I do. And now, several years later, they are all so much more than critique partners. They are cheerleaders, therapists, and friends. They are family. Links, More Fun, Extensions for Families and Everyone!YouTube playlist (focused on Evelyn Glennie and LISTEN) Pinterest board (focused on Evelyn Glennie and LISTEN -- photos, videos, activities) Pinterest board (Sound Science -- focused on science activities for how sound is produced, how it travels, and how we hear) Pinterest board (focused on the percussion family of instruments.) https://musiclibrarybox.com/subscription-box-blog/listen PBJamz Snack -- PB&J Hand Pies When I think about hand pies, I think of life "across the pond". Whether that's a reality or a stereotyped fantasy, I have no idea. Scotland is on my bucket list, and I hope one day to be able to eat some authentic Scottish food. In the meantime, I thought these hand pies to be the perfect accompaniment to this episode of Evelyn Glennie and the book LISTEN -- for a lot of reasons. 1. Much percussion is played with hands, and so a hand-held treat seems apropos. 2. There's the whole "across the pond" hand pie perceived connection. 3. Evelyn Glennie was definitely "out of the box" and this qualifies as an "out of the box" idea for PB&J. Anyway, this is how this bizarre little brain works. So, however I got here, I think this is a perfect recipe to share with you this week, and I hope if you give it a try, you'll give a shoutout to Heather Baird over at Sprinklebakes.com. That's where I found this recipe, so head on over there and give them a try: https://www.sprinklebakes.com/2017/08/peanut-butter-and-jelly-hand-pies.html If you do, let me know in the comments how they were! They look amazing and delicious and all the things you want the perfect PBJ snack to be! Guest Links and Giveaways Shannon is graciously giving away a copy of LISTEN. She will send a personalized bookplate sticker for the winner. You are eligible to win if you comment below. Winner will be drawn no later than Thursday, Feb. 2, and will be announced on the next blogpost and on Twitter!
Here are links to purchase LISTEN: AMAZON link Carmichael's link Barnes & Noble link Shannon's socials/contacts: Website An interview with Shannon Evelyn Glennie's website Congratulations to Jany Campana!!! You are the winner of a picture book critique by Diane Worthey! I'll connect the two of you via Twitter and email to claim your prize! Diane, thank you for your generosity and Jany, thank you for your support of PBJamz! Interview with Tim McCanna, author of BARNYARD BOOGIEJoin Tim and me as we chat farm animals, onomatopoeia and all things music and picture books and more! Writing process? Yep Motivation? Uh-Huh! How to get out of a creative rut? Oh, yeah! Goal-setting? Yes! We touch on that too! And a whole lot more! What a fun conversation! Enjoy! BARNYARD BOOGIE Check out this fun, rollicking rhyme set on a farm -- with a band, where the central problem is what in the world is the cow going to do? Everyone has their instrument, but cow. Kids will love the refrain, "What can cow do? Moooo?" Grab a copy to see what role cow plays in the barnyard band! You can pick it up as a picture book or a board book for your younger farm fans and band members! Check the links section below for ordering your very own copy. A Little Jam. . .(The Music Kind)Be sure to check out the links section next week for lots more songs and videos you can use to go along with this book! So much fun to be had! There are lots more versions of Old McDonald, along with other farm animal songs, the book trailer for BARNYARD BOOGIE, read alouds, and so much more! I love the laid back acoustic sound of Music Travel Kids, the simple instrumentation and sweet harmonies. I also like that they have video of real farm animals and a real farm! I hope you and your students or family will enjoy this one, too! Teacher Tips, Tricks and Topics
Tips and Topics for Music Teachers
Writing Prompts from Tonnye
Writing Tips from Tim McCannaTips for aspiring authors: 1. Trust your instincts and write that first draft without judgement. However, be open to feedback from trusted colleagues and embrace the rewriting process with gusto! 2. Don't rush into submitting manuscripts to agents and editors. Practice your craft first. Write and rewrite dozens of different types of stories until your colleagues help you determine if your work is ready for publication. 3. When it comes to writing rhymers, always strive for straight-forward, natural language that locks into a consistent meter. Don't force your rhymes with wonky phrasing. 4. If you want to write picture books, you have to read picture books. Count the words, listen to the rhythms, analyze the pacing, observe characters' emotional arcs, and watch how page turns contribute to the storytelling. Links, More Fun, Extensions for Families and Everyone!Barnyard Boogie YouTube playlist Barnyard Boogie Pinterest board Farmers' Market story time ideas Pinterest board (Lots of crafts and other farm stories) PBJamz Snack -- PBJ Oatmeal (Steel Cut Oats) Farming is hard work! It requires strength and agility. It also requires early mornings and hearty breakfasts! While I myself am not so good at the early mornings, I love a hearty breakfast. One of my favorites is steel cut oats. I like them myriad ways, but one of the simplest and best is PBJ steel cut oats. I don't have any pictures right now (although I may add some later, because this is definitely a go-to for me!). I cook the oats according to package directions. (BTW, you can use whatever style oats you like -- for me, steel cut oats are my fave for oatmeal...) Once they are cooked through, add in your favorite peanut butter and jelly. Yes, really! It's just that simple: 1-2 tablespoons of your favorite nut butter and your favorite jam/jelly to taste (support your local farm and get some fresh fruit and make your own for a truly decadent, but hearty experience.) But whatever grape, strawberry, blackberry, etc. is your favorite will serve you well. Stir it well. Garnish with some roasted peanuts or fresh fruit if you want to make it truly impressive. No bread needed, but you'll be full and ready to muck out stalls, survey the lower 40, pick cucumbers or strawberries or pumpkins, feed up, gather the eggs, milk the cows, or whatever tasks your morning holds! And, you'll have a yummy taste in your mouth while doing your "farm tasks"! Enjoy, and if you've tried PBJ oatmeal, tell me your favorite flavor in the comments! Guest Links and Giveaways To connect with Tim via:
Website YouTube To purchase any of Tim's books (including his new young reader graphic novels), check out the links here. To be eligible for Tim's giveaway (a SIGNED copy of BARNYARD BOOGIE!!!), simply leave a comment below on this blogpost by 11:59 PM Wednesday, January 18, and I'll draw a winner and announce it on the next episode! Reminder: If you enjoy these books and authors, please support them by: 1. Purchasing their books 2. Recommending them to friends, coworkers, educators, etc. 3. Requesting their books at your local library 4. Leaving positive reviews (just 50 reviews on Amazon bumps a book up to recommended status.) If you'd rather not support Amazon, review the books on Barnes and Noble or Goodreads. Rise Up with a Song: The True Story of Ethel Smyth, Suffragette Composer (Heroes Remembered, 1)11/9/2022 CONGRATULATIONS, Jany Campana!!! You are the winner of a copy of BLUE RIDGE BABIES by Laura Sperry Gardner! I know you'll enjoy this sweet rollicking animal counting mountain book! Be sure to leave a review if you enjoy it, request it at your library, etc.! :-). Thanks, Laura, for the generous giveaway, and thank you Jany for your constant support of PBJamz! Interview with Diane Worthey, author of RISE UP WITH A SONGDiane and I talk PB biographies, writing process, music, the inspiration of women who came before us and more! Check out our conversation below! RISE UP WITH A SONG: The True Story of Ethel Smyth, Suffragette Composer This PB biography is full of excitement and derring-do; the story of a young woman who blasted all the barriers for women -- what they wore, what they did, and many other "glass ceilings" that plagued women, particularly in her time period. She wrote music -- big, powerful music, and she is remembered well for her contributions in this book by Diane Worthey. A story-worthy heroine, Ethel Smyth paved the way not only for female musicians, but also for women voters and for women in general. The perfect addition to a study of the suffragette movement, women's history month (March; incidentally also Music in Our Schools Month) or female composers, opera, or lots of other topics. A Little Jam. . .(The Music Kind)One of Ethel Smyth's most memorable pieces -- "The March of the Women" sung by women -- shoulder to shoulder and friend to friend. Enjoy this beautiful version of this amazing song! Teacher Tips, Tricks and TopicsHistory
Tips and Topics for Music Teachers
Writing Prompts from Tonnye
Writing Tips from Diane WortheyHere are some writer tips: * Revise, Revise, Revise: Musicians do this all of the time. Do the same with your writing. Sometimes I work for hours on one sentence or one paragraph. In picture books, every word is golden. Every word counts. I put my manuscripts through my critique group at least 3 times before submitting to agents/publishers. Writing is ultimately a group project- you don't have to change things you don't agree with, but try what your fellow writers suggest and see if it improves the manuscript. * Be persistent : My first book was rejected 13 times before it found a home in the right publisher. My second book also had many rejections before it was picked up by a publisher. * Think of layers you can add to your book. For RISE UP WITH A SONG, I used the lyrics to the public domain music The March of the Women to inspire my text. * When writing, think in scenes. Imagine an illustrator trying to illustrate your scenes. Do your words help an illustrator? Write what you mean. Publishers often take out illustrator notes in a manuscript. * The title to a picture book is key to setting the tone of the book. If you are inspired by your title, it will inform your writing. As an exercise, try different titles and see how they inform your writing. * Read your manuscript out loud to see if it flows in a musical way. Have someone read your manuscript to you. You will hear things differently this way. * Attend SCBWI workshops where you can submit a manuscript to an agent. Be persistent in nudging the agent (nicely) to give you feedback. Links, More Fun, Extensions for Families and Everyone!Pinterest board with more info about Ethel Smyth and various songs and activities YouTube playlist with videos and songs relating to Ethel Smyth PBJamz Snack -- Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars!If you were hosting a 1910 English tea something like these yummy peanut butter and jelly bars might be on the menu. If not, they would be a delicious accompaniment to an afternoon of music of Ethel Smyth -- or anyone else. Enjoy! And check out more great recipes from Kitchen Fun with My 3 Sons!  Guest Links and GiveawaysTo purchase RISE UP WITH A SONG at Amazon at Barnes and Noble Link to Kirkus starred review Diane's website Diane's Twitter Diane is offering a picture book critique as a giveaway for this episode. Comment below for a chance to win a critique! Be sure to leave reviews, request these PBJamz books for your library, and share out the ones you love on social media, as well as to your friends and family!  |
PBJamzThis page is the official space for PBJamz -- multimedia Jamorama celebrating all things PB (picture books) and Jamz (music), although we'll indulge in the other PBJ snacks where appropriate :-). Join us each Thursday for new content connecting picture books and music! Archives
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