Children’s musicians Erin Lee and Marci bring us the next of their regular posts with thematic recommendations for kid-friendly music, plus activities to make the songs an interactive experience for the whole family. Look for Erin Lee and Marci here on the first Monday of each month, or visit their homepage, www.gottaplay.org.
I’ve created links to Amazon for the full albums (click the album image or name), plus links to iTunes for those who want only the singles.
“It’s February, it should be snowing!” Those are the opening words to our song Snowdance. And we stick by them! In this months post, we bring you two of our absolute hands down favorite snow songs:
“Backyard Spaceship” (Justin Roberts, Way Out
We’ve all made snowmen, snow forts, snow angels…but Justin is supercool because he’s making a snow SPACESHIP. Enough said! Check it out!
“Shoveling” (Tom Chapin, Family Tree
This wonderful bluesy piece contrasts a dad’s version of “helping” with his son’s version of “helping”. Even though this song features a relationship between a father and son, the feelings are completely universal — everyone knows that shoveling really shouldn’t involve actually clearing the driveway.
(No iTunes)
And our song for February?
“Snowdance” (Erin Lee & Marci, Snowdance
In this song, our narrator takes a cue from the traditional Rainmaker figure and becomes a Snowmaker, doing a festive dance in order to make it snow one dismally green February.
Do Something New: Dance! How might a snowflake move? A snowman? An ice skater, hockey player, figure skater, speed skater? Help it snow!
Talk About Something New: Research Rainmakers in various cultures. Why do cultures call on Rainmakers to bring rain and why might they need them? What other variations on Rainmakers can you come up with?
Wait . . . there’s more . . . Check out Marci’s Sunny Song:
“Sunny Day” (Ernie & Neal, Rock & Roll Band
Marci, unlike her Canadian friend Erin Lee, grew up in sunny Florida and always misses the warm sunshine when the February snow starts falling in New York. Here’s a song for all of you living in warm and sunny climates.
Go outside and rock in the sun—and be happy that you don’t have to wear mittens while playing air guitar.