Monday~August 10, 2009
What kind of cat is your favorite chocolate bar? KIT KAT!
What kind of cat is connected to the engine of your car? CATALYTIC CONVERTER!
What kind of cat hangs out with Batman? CAT WOMAN!
What kind of cat facilitates a chemical reaction? CATALYST!
What kind of cat is a great big disaster? CATASTROPHE!
Those are just a few of my favorite lines from a song called What Kind Of Cat Are You.
I wrote a post a few months ago, asking what non-crazy-making children’s music you listen to. The comment box filled with excellent ideas and I thought, Oh yes, another reason I love blogging, a never-ending sea of information from smart and lovely people, right at my fingertips.
Anyway, I printed out all the suggestions and the boys and I went to the library. We had such a good time looking for all the new music that we’d learned about, but I was probably even more excited than the boys, looking forward to escaping the terrible music we had on hand at the time.
I was scanning the titles, my finger running along disc after disc on the shelf, mostly ignoring names that weren’t on my printed list, until I saw this one…
I thought, He’s not on my list but I can’t stop myself. Or, This looks interesting. Or something like that. No matter what I thought, I’m so glad we checked out Billy’s music that day because our entire family is more than enjoying this music. We listen to it nearly every time we get in the car and blast it from the speakers while we clean and dance too. This music is smart, funny, and expresses the genius that is Billy Jonas in a unique way that leaves our whole family singing and laughing. (Even Uncle K, who is only a child at heart, requests Billy Jonas when we get in the minivan.)
There are songs with soul, like Eyes Wide Open, silly songs that inspire the imagination like Nine-Foot Dragon & a Four-Foot Boy, and many songs that have Miles asking questions like, “What other animals are nocturnal?” and “Why are there germs when you’re sick?” Yes, we have all kinds of great conversations on subjects that arise because of the hilarious and endearing songs that teach something like Old St. Helen, Alien In My Lungs, and Vitamin Alphabet.
There are a variety of sounds and styles to be found across Billy’s albums, including folk, a touch of rock, and a bit of Jazz, all with Billy’s signature drum beat.
I was so impressed by the album we picked up, What Kind Of Cat Are You? and then promptly purchased, that I went to Billy’s site and sent off an email, letting his manager know that I was going to rave about him on my blog. I talked about how I’d been given a whole lot of great suggestions, but no one had mentioned him, and I wanted my readers to know about him. I received a grateful response with an offer to send me not only that album, but also Billy’s latest, Happy Accidents for you to have a chance to win!
To learn more about Billy Jonas, you can read a Bio here.
Billy’s music is inspiring, fun, and even moving. It quickly becomes obvious that there’s a very special person behind the music with a heart for children, creativity, and learning. I’m honored to spread the word about Billy Jonas, a man who is obviously passionate about music and the world around him. I’m so glad that our trip to the library resulted in this extra treasure, carried home with many of your other great suggestions.
So ready? Here we go:
There will be TWO winners, one for each album! I’ll keep the giveaway open until Thursday, August 13th, 2009 at 4pm (central time). All you have to do is leave a comment on this post telling me what your absolute very most favorite children’s book is. I want to go on another library adventure with your suggestions.
(This giveaway is NOT limited to the U.S. I have too many out-of-this-country blog friends to make that limitation.)
(If you’re not familiar with commenting, it’s safe and easy. You click on ‘comments’ at the end of the post, and if you don’t have a blogger profile, you simply click ‘Anonymous’ and type your email address for contact and your children’s book suggestion. Easy Peasy).
Both albums would make a great gift if you don’t have kiddos, but remember, this is music for all ages, just ask Uncle K. I mean, if you know him…
After you’ve left your comment, go listen to What Kind Of Cat Are You?! (Click ‘play’ next to the song title when you get there. You won’t be sorry, it’s hilarious, brilliant, and just plain fun.)
Happy listening! (and happy winning!)
(Photos courtesy of Google Images.)
{ 78 comments }
Ooh am I first?! Children's book… all 4 of my kids have LOVE YOU FOREVER by Robert Munsch. All with alittle message from Mama to them! It is my absolute favorite! Thanks for the giveaway! :)
Ooh, sounds good. My favorite children's book is probably I Love You, Stinky Face. I have a sentimental attachment to it.
Billy Jonas just did a concert in my town Saturday, but we missed it. He's awesome–great discovery! So I'd LOVE to get the CD!
We definitely could use some new music. Barney is KILLING me. I might drive straight into on-coming traffic if I have to listen to him again…
Our favourite book is the "So Sleepy Story".
My absolute favorite children's books (at least right now) are the Mr. Putter and Tabby series by Cynthia Rylant. They are hilarious about an old man and his old cat – The first book is Mr. Putter and Tabby Pour the Tea, they are probably considered "early readers" or something like that – I could see first graders reading them. I'm missing a few from my collection… think I'll ask for the rest of the series for Christmas!
One from my kidhood that my kids like, too is "The Island fo the Skog" by Steven Kellogg – it's a "we can all get along even though we're different" kind of 70s book with great illustrations.
Hmmm . . . hard to pick. But if I'm picking for me, I'll go with anything by Graeme Base. My kids love his "Jungle Drums" and "The Water Hole". I love "Animalia" and "The Eleventh Hour", and even "Uno's Garden". You have never seen such illustrations, and they engage you on many levels — searching for hidden clues to mysteries, naming all the things on each letter page in "Animalia", figuring out which continent you're on with each number in "The Water Hole". They're extraordinary.
ok… the cat stuff wigged me out because i'm not a fan of cats at all. i'm deathly allergic, and quite honestly, cats scare me… so i was pleased to read that this was not a cat giveaway.
fave book, BY FAR…. is "walter the farting dog." incredible illustrations, hysterical story, sweet lesson learned… and c'mon, farts are always funny.
Oh this sounds fabulous!! My fave children's book is he one I wrote. Just kidding. It is My child, My princess, by Beth Moore.
We have three young boys and one of our favorites is I Stink by Kate and Jim? McMullen(I think). It is hilarious and so very boy. Thanks for the tip about Billy Jonas!
We LOVE "What Kind of Dog are You," by Billy Jonas – thanks to XM radio. After this comment, I plan to crank the new song and watch the boys come running.
Favorite books:
"Diary of a Fly" series by Diary by Doreen Cronin, Illustrated by Harry Bliss (also Diary of a Spider, and Worm – hilarious)
"Sheep in a Jeep" by Nancy Shaw, Illustrated by Margot Apple – we have a million vehicle books, but this one is a blast to read and funny
We love Billy Jonas and would love to win a CD! As for our favorite book, … that is SO hard! We have a hundred favorites, at least! I guess my absolute favorite is The Velveteen Rabbit.
Oh I love hearing about fun kids music! I am going off to listen.
Please enter me. My favorite kids book of all time is (and this is sad 'cause I don't know the official title but) its the book where is rained meatballs. I love that book. They are making it into a movie and I can't wait.
He forgot one:
What kinda cat sleeps all through the night following two bottles of wine drank out of necessity after dealing with the unrelenting demands placed upon it by the small ones that run its home?
CATATONIC.
:)~
xo, crock
You and I have similar music taste so I want to win this one baby!!!! Our favorite childrens book-
Who Owns The Sun?
(great for kids of African descent and a great message for all – teaches history)
You and I have similar music taste so I want to win this one baby!!!! Our favorite childrens book-
Who Owns The Sun?
(great for kids of African descent and a great message for all – teaches history)
You and I have similar music taste so I want to win this one baby!!!! Our favorite childrens book-
Who Owns The Sun?
(great for kids of African descent and a great message for all – teaches history)
Fave kids book? "No, David" by David Shannon. Followed closely by "Duck on A Bike" also by David Shannon. We have had to buy several copies of each just because the boys loved them both so much.
These sound great! I'm going to go back to your first post to get library suggestions while I sit on the edge of my seat for these results! :)
My favorite children's book is my youngest son's favorite, "How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight."
Blessings,
Carolynn
The Most Thankful Thing, or The Night you were Born. Both make me cry. Oh, or the Napping House. It's a fun one too.
Billie Jonas is from my neck of the woods. Which totally makes him cooler in my book. :)
I love Where the Wild Things Are and Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus.
I LOVE Billy Jonas. He sang at Montreat Youth Conferences when I was a chaperone one year, and even the high schoolers loved him. He's so fabulous. I didn't know he had a new CD out, so that's really exciting. I watch his site for when he's going to be in my area because his live shows are amazing.
And my favorite children's book, hands down, is The Giving Tree. It still gives me the chills.
Wow! This sounds great! We love kids music and lemme tell ya, the VBS music from this Summer is gettin' old! ; )
One of our latest favorite books is "If You Give A Pig A Pancake" by Laura Numeroff.
Is he one of the lost Jonas Brothers?
Luisa (of Novembrance) sent me here….
I'm an ARISTOCAT! Thomas O'Malley — or at least I want to date him.
I would have to say Hop on Pop because Nori loves it so…
Our favorite book is "Burger Boy" by Alan Durant. It's hilarious and leaves my son running all over the house shouting "I'm not a burger. I'M A BOY!!"
My favorite kids books? I have to narrow it down? Awww…
Okay, I love to read the "If you give a mouse a cookie" to my dudes but I also really love the Jane Yolen books about dinosaurs: "How do Dinosaurs get well soon?" and their counterparts about bedtime, playtime with friends, and other adventures. The rhyming is fun and my dudes love dinos. What can be better? They're also in love with a new one called "Dinotrux." I can't remember the author's name. =[
How do Dinosaurs Play With Their Friends
and
God Gave us You
And I didn't get to tell you about my fave kids music, They Might be Giants.
Nine Bowls of Soup is hilarious
Oh, what a great way to learn about some new books! I have a couple favorites to share, that I don't think are very well known, but are EXCELLENT! Probably my top of the top is "Weslandia" by Paul Fleischmann, and another good one is "Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon" by Patty Lovell. Gotta love non-conformist, confident kids.
Hope I win some new music!
Love, love, love The Polar Express! The Bare Naked Ladies cd for kids is pretty good, too.
Laurie
teach29504@yahoo.com
Only ONE favorite book?
Right this very minute my answer is: One Morning in Maine by Robert McCloskey.
But, really, we love anything by Robert McCloskey.
And if you ask me tomorrow, I might say something different entirely. :)
Another reason why I totally love you – THIS is EXACTLY the way a giveaway should be handled. Personal connection and the fact that you initiated it makes it even more worthwhile. Billy Jonas is psyched to have you on his side….
If I don't win it, I will buy it. But I'm gonna throw my hat in the ring. Favorite children's book? The one that is jumping to my brain right now which I know you will love if you don't already have it is
"Giraffe's Can't Dance."
Do you know it? Go get it and let me know what you think.
;-)
SWEET! You know I love me some good music!!!
My favorite kids book…man sakes, I don't know. I love Skippy Jon Jones, he is hilarious. But also Where The Wild Things Are (classic), When The Root Children Wake Up (great for when you are SO done with Winter), Sneaky Weasel, and Amazing Grace.
Have fun at the library!! :)
And I can't believe I spelled it as Giraffe's. It's Giraffes. No apostrophe of course!!!
:-)
OK it has to have already said somewhere above but I can't deny "Where the Wild Things Are!"
"and they gnashed their terrible teeth"
This is a bit hard, Heather! Just choose one! One of my favorites is The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle.
ONE of my very favorites is the Velveteen Rabbit. Love love love that book!
Another is Twas the Night Before Christmas…granted, we only read that on the Night Before Christmas, but it has become such a tradition that even now when they are 11 and 9, they still want to read it!
As soon as my library opens back up after renovations I am going to check him out!
My favorite children's book of all time, Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs. I not only loved the story and the idea of it when I was little but I loved looking at the pictures and trying to find new things each time. Classic in my eyes! BG's favorite book right now, twenty-six princesses. It was a great library find last visit and now I am on a mission to buy it :-)
Could you ask a harder question?
Like, I love the Pigeon books by Mo Willams
I love the Scaredy Squirrel books by Melanie Watts
I adore Andrew Clements for his wit, and the Wimpy Kid series never fails to make me laugh. I enjoyed the mystery of the Mysterious Benedict Society. Skippy Jon Jones is great if you can read with an accent.
Kids can do amazing spin offs from the If You Give a Pig a Pancake series, and i love The Mitten. I could go on you know…
ARG! One favorite? OK–don't be offended other books–The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Whew! That was a toughie.
There are so many great children's books , but I guess I'll have to say "Bats at the Beach" by Brian Lies. It totally reminds us of our days at the beach only the bats go at night and well, they're bats. Super cute and written in a rhymey way…so fun!!!
My kids are obsessed with the Curious George books right now. But one of my favorites is Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney.
I'm a fan of LOVE YOU FOREVER. Wrote a post about it. :o)
I just love Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. It is a great book about the ABC's. Another favorite for the kids is The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle.
kbwoelfel@hotmail.com
One favorite? I have thousands, but one that we just brought home from my parents' house this weekend (with my own name scrawled on the cover in wobbly cursive) was Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing. Gotta love Fudge and Peter…
oooh! oooh! oooh! i am so in need of new children's music! (we've been listening to the same CDs for 15 YEARS! LOL)
What an awesome give-away!!!!
My absolute favorite book… Little Mommy. It's a Little Golden book. I actually blogged about it a long time ago. It was my favorite book as a little girl and it's back in print and Emma LOVES it!
(of course, we also LOVE Eric carle, Good Night Moon, and for the slightly older kids… Stewart Little & the Junie B Jones series. Junie B Jones are HYSTERICAL!)
Those songs sound awesome. When I was little, I had a collection of silly songs by Burl Ives that I just loved. I can still sing about the 30 foot alligator.
Our favorite kids book has been "The Clown Arounds" but it's been awhile since I read at night with the kids. Man, I'm a slacker! I need to get that going again.
What a great idea for a giveaway! I posted about my obsession for children's books today. The hard part will be narrowing it down to just one.
The ones I gift most often:
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
On The Day You were Born
Going on A Bear Hunt (Helen Oxenbury)
Everything Helen Oxenbury
Everything Mem Fox
(But especially Time For Bed, and Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge)
Are You My Mother? (The Snort still makes me laugh)
The Rainbabies
Trashy Town
and of course the classics Where the Wild Things Are and There's a Nightmare in My Closet.
My very favorite kids book of all times is Where the Wild Things Are. If it weren't super dorky, I would paint my room with images from the book.
Thanks for posting about Billy Jonas! I'm so excited to listen to his music…
Choosing one favorite children's book is impossible for me. Some of my favorites:
The Happy Hocky Family by Lane Smith
All the of the Pigeon books
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom!
All by Eric Carle
First the Egg by Laura Seeger
Gossie, Gossie and Gertie, Peedie by Olivier Dunrea
All by Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin (Click Clack Moo, etc)
Happy reading!
A favorite? Are you trying to kill me?
My kids current favorite is Achoo, Bang, Crash by Ross Macdonald and one of my fave's is It Could Have Been Worse by Tim Warnes.
Oh and the Grouchy Ladybug by Eric Carle
and
I can Read with My Eyes Shut by Dr. Suess
and
The Napping House by Audrey Wood
I could go one, but it's time to get the kids so I won't:)
Ooh, i'll definitely be making my next library list from this post. Thanks! I'm gonna have to list 2 faves…..Did I Ever Tell You How Lucky You Are? by Dr. Seuss and Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon. Ooh, and just one more……Jiggle Joggle Jee…….I love a book with a good beat………lokey mokey pokey stokey smokey chokey chee!
When I think of the books I loved to read when I was a kid, the FIRST thing that comes to mind is the Chronicles of Narnia…and Ann of Green Gables. Little House on the Prairie…and Goodnight Mr. Tom.
It's so hard to pick one…. Here are a few I like.
Love You Forever
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
Giraffes Can't Dance
Pinkalicious
Shrinking Sam
Oooh, pick me, pick me!!
You know, I think I prefer the classics – Berenstain Bears, Little Critter, Frog and Toad…
But I did read one the other day called Ten Little Dinosaurs by Jim Harris which had me cracking up. But maybe it's just because I'm a Zoology major. Or goofy.
I am nuts for The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. The message chokes me up every single time I read it.
I can't name just one. Where the Wild Things Are, The Giving Tree, Little Hoot, to name a few.
Thanks for the chance to win!
I need to do my own post on this because we have a LOT of favorites.
My kids love the Pigeon Books (Don't let the Pigeon drive the bus, and The Pigeon wants a puppy…) and Knufflebunny and Elephant and Piggy books all by Mo Willems. I love Leonardo the terrible Monster by the same author.
We also love the Bear Snores On and its sequels, can't remember the author.
Click, Clack, Moo: Cows that Type is a recent favorite, as is one called The Undone Fairy Tale. (My kids like silly books.)
Oh, also It's the Bear by Jez Alborough. My kids memorized it before they could read, big words and all.
Llama Llama Red Pajama is another fun one. Oh and "Parts" is very cute too.
See? I just better stop now. I think that deserves about 10 entries. Just kidding. I could come up with lots more if you wanted more.
One book I totally forgot about the first time around was Miss Rumphius. It's a really nice story with a message that speaks to me.
Word.
I have never heard of Billy Jonas, but I will have to go listen to everything he has ever done. Yes. I'm an over achiever.
Have you heard of Jim Gill (this is my favorite album… scroll down so you can hear snippets of the songs!) You'd like him. I'm sure of it!
Oh my word! I cannot just pick ONE book. Are you kidding me? ;->
Where the wild things are – Maurice Sendak
Feliciana Meets D'Loup Garou: A Cajun Tall Tale – Tynia Thomassie (my VERY favorite book! You have to read it with the cajun accent to make it REALLY fun)
Feliciana Feydra LeRoux: A Cajun Tall Tale– Tynia Thomassie
The Frog Prince, Continued – Jon Scieszka
Trashy Town – Andrea Zimmerman
My favorite was introduced to me in the 3rd grade. It is Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein. It's not necessarily a book but a book full of funny poems that still make me laugh to this day. I also love everything else he has written.
I love What Kind of Cat are you!!! LOVE!!!
My favorite children's book is, um, there are so many:
Don't Let the Pidgeon Drive the Bus (Mo Willems)
Guess How Much I Love You (Sam McBratney)
Barnyard Dance (Sandra Boynton)
I could go on and on.
You are asking a former preschool/ kindergarten teacher to pick JUST ONE? Forget it! Some of my favorite, but lesser known, "boy" books…
"Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good Very Bad Day" by Judith Viorst
"The Ant Bully" by John Nickle
"Diary of a Worm" by Doreen Cronin
"Giraffes Can't Dance" by Giles Andreae
"No, David" by David Shannon
Oh, I love fun kids music – I like the lyrics of Laurie Berkner and Tom Chapin – I've heard that cat song on the radio and think it's clever!
Anyway, as for kids books, some of my favorite to read to my kids are…
The HICCUPotamus
I Love You Stinky Face (and others by the same author)
I Love You Forever
Those are the first I can think of – happy reading!
What a great giveaway! I could totally use some new kiddie friendly music.
Only 1 favorite kids book? That's really tough. Ok….anything by Shel Silverstien, especially The Missing Piece and The Missing Piece Meets the Big O. And The Giving Tree.
Umm, of course Where the Wild Things Are is a fav.
Anything by Sandra Boynton.
I could go on and on…
I have about a gazillion… but I can tell you two
1. Love You Forever – Robert Munsch (I cry every time I read it.)
2. Oh, The Thinks you can Think – Dr. Seuss (my daughter and I imagine more as we look at the pictures. It has helped her think out of the box.)
I don't know if I could pick just one kids book – there are so many wonderful ones. But what sprang to mind was a classic i loved as a child – "Harold & the Purple Crayon".
We've heard a few of Billy Jonas' songs on XM Radio as well – I'd love to have an album or two (did I really just say album?!?)
One of our favorites is Tacky the Penguin. Fabulous set of books, especially if you have a noncomformist in your household! :)
I love 'I Ain't Gonna Paint No More.' My daughter also loves the Fancy Nancy books, and we are all sure fans of anything by David Shannon as well. For older kids, or reading out loud to young ones–you can't ever beat Roald Dahl.
I love 'I Ain't Gonna Paint No More.' My daughter also loves the Fancy Nancy books, and we are all sure fans of anything by David Shannon as well. For older kids, or reading out loud to young ones–you can't ever beat Roald Dahl.
I love 'I Ain't Gonna Paint No More.' My daughter also loves the Fancy Nancy books, and we are all sure fans of anything by David Shannon as well. For older kids, or reading out loud to young ones–you can't ever beat Roald Dahl.
I do NOT have a single absolute favorite – I just can't limit myself in that way! One Esme has liked recently that's a lot of fun is Skippyjon Jones…
Ooh, I'm so excited I didn't miss this – it sounds so cute!
My favorite children's book is Where the Wild Things Are :).
I Love You, Stinky Face
The board book version is a little different than the paperback version, and right now I like the board book version better because my kids are small.
My favorite, although it is sad is Dog Heaven. It is such a wonderful book and perfect for anyone who loses a doggie.
amy
I love the Bear books by Karma Wilson – she has such a cadence and ryhthm to her stories. And the illustrations are sweet and memorable. Bear Feels Sick is one of our favorites right now.
The Quiltmaker's Gift
You Are Special–Max Lucado
Of course, I could go on and on.
Oh, The Places You'll Go–Dr. Seuss
The Three Trees
There are another couple. I think I just barely made it in.
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