ROCK STAR SANTA

Gayle and I chat holiday books, rhyme, and more!

Christmas time's a-comin' and Santa is getting ready to rock out! You'll want a front row seat for this charming conversation between Gayle and me about writing holiday books, her inspiration, rock and roll (of course!) and so much more. Grab the cookies and milk and get comfy as we chat all things ROCK STAR SANTA!

ROCK STAR SANTA

In this fun book, Santa's not just coming down the chimney, he's bringing down the house, with the help of his  rockin' reindeer.  With nods to KISS, and lots of rock star-studded word play, this book debuted a rock'n'roll Santa before he was Christmas Chronicles cool!  (Fans of the movie will LOVE this book).  Perfect for kids (and grandkids) of 80's rock star fans, or any rockstar fans.  Boogie down the chimney with Santa in this rollicking rhyming rocking book!

A Little Jam. . .(The Music Kind)

What a fun little song to get littles up and moving to the beat like Rock Star Santa!  You can have kiddos sing along, dance along, or come up with some fun musical activities to do alongside this fun groovin' ditty!  Check out lots of other musical connections in the YouTube playlist in the links section below!

Teacher Tips, Tricks and Topics

• ELA/Reading/Language arts
  • Rhyme
  • Vowel teams (Lots of words in text have ea, ou, au, etc.
  • Character analysis would be great or reading two Santa Claus books and comparing Santa's character in both books (Venn diagram, double T-chart, etc.
  • Beginning/Middle/End
  • Other books that use the "was I just dreaming?" trope
  • Vocabulary --
    
    • synonyms (other words for sing -- croon, wail, etc.)
    • fashion words (scarf, jeans, sequins, silk, ponytail, bedecked, etc.
• See below for other topics you could delve into that are music-related.
• Also, check out the YouTube playlist and the Pinterest board for additional activities.

Tips and Topics for Music Teachers

I know that many of you are in disctricts that don't include Christmas in the curriculum or if you're in parochial schools, Santa might be taboo as well. I'm lucky to be in a place where most of us celebrate, so I've been using this story with my K-2 music students this week, and here are a few things I've been pointing out. There are additional activities in the YouTube playlist and on the Pinterest board. I will continue adding to those as I see things that match.

1. Sound effects to accompany stories/poems/dramatic readings.  This is a kinder objective in NC, but I find even my first and second graders need more opportunitites to hear and look for sound effect to match stories and poems.  We've been listening to a YouTube read aloud and talking about the different sound effects and how they match the story.
2. It's a great opportunity to talk about genres (and maybe stereotypes too,). If it's allowed in your district, some clips from The Christmas Chronicles would be great to go along with this book. Characteristics of rock 'n' roll, truth vs. myths about rock stars, etc.
   1. Instruments of rock and roll mentioned in the book
3. I've been pairing it with lots of Santa songs for body percussion, singing, rhythm practice and more. Check out the YouTube list for some of the pieces I've been using.
4. Gayle states that this version os Santa is a tribute to KISS, so if you have older kids and feel like it's appropriate, you could talk about them to whatever extent you feel it's okay. 
5. It would be a fun time to bring in other rock 'n' roll Christmas tunes: Run, Run Rudolph, etc. 
6. Also a good time to talk about audience behavior and how it changes based on the type of performance.

Writing Prompts from Tonnye

1. Write about another unexpected identity of Santa Claus: Santa dancing ballet? Cowboy Santa? Hip-Hop Santa? Santa from another country? Chef Santa?
2. Pretend you were at Santa's concert. Write a fan letter telling him how much you loved it. (Or not perhaps)
3. Write a description of Santa the way YOU think he looks.
4. Write a letter to Santa. Don't JUST ask for things. Be sure to tell him thank you for what he's already given you. Ask about Mrs. Claus, the elves, the reindeer.
5.  If you were a rock star, what would you want your name to be. Write about yourself as a rock star. What would you wear, what would you play or sing?
6.  If you could play or sing with any rock 'n' roll band, who would you join and why?
7. Write an essay about what makes something rock 'n' roll.
8. Research and do a written and/or oral report on the history of rock.
9. Write about another character as a rock 'n' roll star that we would not expect: Paul Bunyan? The Easter Bunny? Jack Frost? The Tooth Fairy? Mother Nature? etc.
10.  Write a poem of rhyming couplets about Santa.
11. Write a story with the title: "I Rocked with Santa"
12. Here's a first line: At the stroke of midnight, the guitar wailed.
13.  Write your own sensory Christmas poem. Use as many sensory details as you can.
14. Write an acrostic poem using Santa's name.

Writing Tips from Gayle

ROCK STAR SANTA was written in rhyme.  All my picture books, both published and pre-published are written in rhyme, and because I belonged to The Poetry Garage for six years my advice for new writers who aspire to write in rhyme is:
 
1.     Write your manuscript all the way through before you start to revise. Some writers tend to go back to the beginning to seemingly make it stronger when they are only halfway through. This is a bad idea for two reasons. 
a.) you lose your original cadence that you were writing in.
b.) the ending informs the beginning. If you never finish, how can you know if the ending reflects the beginning.
 
2.     When having your rhyming work reviewed or critiqued be sure the person you are seeking an opinion from is a bonafide rhymer. As Tonnye can attest to, there is a rhythm to rhyme and those who do not understand scansion will think your work is great just because the end words rhyme. The meter and accents are an important part of poetry.
 
3.     Try to break up your end rhymes with multisyllabic word choices in your rhyme scheme. And switch it up with internal rhyme, or better yet, use internal and end rhyme to make your rhyme more interesting.
 
ie. sample lines from Rock Star Santa (Scholastic 2008) that demonstrate multi-syllabic end rhyme.
 
Stomping joins the loud applause.
Rock the house for Santa Claus.
 
and
 
Snow-white hair in ponytail.
Santa’s ready. Watch him wail!
 
4.     When writing a rhyming manuscript keep the word count as low as possible. When editors say they want manuscripts under 1,000 words, they’re speaking of prose, not rhyme.
 
Long rhyming manuscripts get tedious to read and children lose their focus.
 
Rock Star Santa is 305 words.
 
Hope these tips help those of you who are considering writing your picture book in rhyme.

Links, More Fun, Extensions for Families and Everyone!

Pinterest board full of images, songs, and activities to enhance your enjoyment of ROCK STAR SANTA
​YouTube playlist full of fun music, ROCK STAR SANTA read-alouds and more!

PBJamz Snack

Santa would LOVE to find these on Christmas Eve, and I'm pretty sure everyone else will enjoy them too!  If your mouth isn't watering from looking at the picture, it will be when you read the recipe!  Great for peanut butter lovers of all ages!  Don't just make them at Christmas; make them any time! 

Guest Links and Giveaways

Gayle's Books page (see all her books in one place; check out the synopses of each, and get the B&N link to purchase.). Reminder: If you want to purchase ROCK STAR SANTA, you'll have to purchase directly from Gayle.  Contact her via her website.

Gayle's website

​FB

Twitter/X

Instagram

Gayle is graciously offering a giveaway of a copy of ROCK STAR SANTA to one lucky winner!  To be eligible, simply leave a comment below by Sunday, Dec. 8 at 11:59 EST.  I'll pop your name in the Wheel of Names and choose one rockin' reader to receive their very own copy of ROCK STAR SANTA! (US only)