Here is a mix to celebrate the publication of my new biography, Crockett Johnson and Ruth Krauss: How an Unlikely Couple Found Love, Dodged the FBI, and Transformed Children’s Literature (2012).  Its official publication date is today (Sept. 1st), though it’s actually been available for a few weeks now. Given my own interest in music, it’s curious…
While riding my bike last Tuesday morning, a car hit me. It was 7:45 am, I was cycling uphill and due west. A car coming due east – blinded by the sun, the driver later told me – took a left turn and hit my bicycle on its (and my) left side. Fortunately, neither of us were…
There’s a new Facebook meme: “How to determine who to unfriend on Facebook.” Click on the link, and you get a list of “Friends who like Nickelback.” The joke depends upon pervasive dislike of the popular Canadian band. At best, I find the group’s music benign. I could imagine it being used to sell soda…
Delightful remix of clips from Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood, in which (thanks to auto-tune) Fred Rogers extols the virtues of being curious. Â John Boswell (a.k.a. MelodySheep) has done a fine job here. Â If you’re interested in purchasing a copy of the song (“Garden of Your Mind”), it’s included on his album Remixes for the Soul. And…
In honor of Mother’s Day (May 13), here’s some footage of Bruce Springsteen dancing with his 90-year-old mother. Â The clip, recorded on March 29, comes to you here courtesy of Springsteen fan TheMagikRat. Happy Mother’s Day!
This is fun.  Reading Is Fundamental‘s new promotional video features a song by the Roots; vocals by  Jack Black, Chris Martin (Coldplay), John Legend, Jim James (My Morning Jacket), Jason Schwartzman, Nate Ruess (vocalist for fun.), Melanie Fiona, Carrie Brownstein (Sleater-Kinney, Wild Flag), Regina Spektor and Consequence; appearances from Pinocchio, Madeline, Greg (the Wimpy Kid),…
Yes.  Spring is here, which means flowers blooming and (for academics, at least) the rapidly accelerating roller-coster that is the second half of the semester.  It is thus time for some jaunty music.  Enjoy! 1)   You Meet the Nicest People in Your Dreams    Fats Waller and His Rhythm (1939)   2:51…
Many children’s writers and illustrators have created covers for albums. Â Below, we’ll look at a dozen or so of these artists. Â As is ever the case with any art posted on this website, the artwork belongs to the artists. Â Visit their websites! Â Buy prints! Â Buy their books! Â (I’ve included websites for each artist.) Â Enjoy! Saul…
OK Go! Â They Might Be Giants! Â Joel Plaskett! Â Elvis Costello! Â R.E.M.! Â Stevie Wonder! Â Lots of musicians have recorded songs for children – either lyrically revised versions of one of their tunes, or entirely new ones. Â Here are 10 great ones. OK Go, “3 Primary Colors Song” “3 Primary Colors Song” is just out from OK…
I’d hoped to post some new (well, new to you) mixes for the holidays, and I may yet manage to do so. Â It’s been the busiest semester of my professional career and, indeed, of my life. Â And, where I’m currently staying, there’s no wi-fi… well, unless I poach some from another apartment. Â (I’m writing this…
