Johnette’s Spring Newsletter
I hope this spring newsletter finds you well. Spring is a time for renewal; when plants emerge from the soil and the cold to burst into blossoms. This spring let us be reminded of the importance of hope and renewal. People all over the world are sharing expressions of love, and are finding ways to connect, at a distance, through sidewalk chalk messages, community singing from city balconies, distance learning for schools and libraries, online concerts and story times, and video chats with family and friends. These simple acts exemplify our humanity, our interconnectedness, and our resilience.
More than ever, this spring has allowed me the opportunity to slow down, to be thankful for blessings, and to focus on the things that bring me joy. I did some spring cleaning, replanted irises in my garden, reconnected with friends and family I have not seen in a long time, sent new manuscripts to publishers, set aside time each day for ukulele practice, and walked 3 to 5 miles per day. Currently, I am illustrating a new picture book for River Road Press.
May you find the time this spring to focus on hope, renewal, gratitude, family, friends, animal kind, nature, and joy.
-Johnette
Resources for Distance Learning
I have received numerous calls and emails from dedicated teachers and librarians requesting permission to use my music, books, music videos and book videos in their private distance learning programs for educational purposes. To the best of my knowledge, as educators, you are allowed to use the aforementioned for non-income earning educational purposes on temporary platforms like Zoom meetings. If the usage requested is income producing or for more permanent viewing platforms such as YouTube, etc., please contact me directly about the permission policy of my publishers and my music licensing administrator.
The music and book videos are on my YouTube Channel, and I will be adding more animated music and book videos in the weeks to come.
Thanks for the lovely requests and for including me and my work in your distance learning programs! Educators will always find a way to educate!
Free Downloadable Book Activity Packets
If you are using my books for distance learning or if you are just looking for things for children to do while at home, download these free activity pages that go with my books. Your children will enjoy hours of fun while learning. Click on this link to my free downloadable Book Activity Packets.
Virtual Author Visits
In early February, I sent a mailer to schools and libraries announcing the return of my Virtual Author Visits. Ironically, I could not have predicted that virtual learning would be thrust into the forefront of elementary education. During this twenty-minute online visit, I will read several of my books, answer student questions, and talk a bit about the process of writing and illustrating books for children. The fee for this program is substantially less than my in-person Author Visits. For more information or to book this program for your school, library or venue, please visit my Programs page on my website, and fill out my online booking request form under Contact, Booking Request/Quote.
Virtual Concerts
I will be adding a new Virtual Concert program this week! During this twenty-minute concert, I will sing several of my most popular songs, including songs that go with some of my most popular books. The fee for this program is substantially less than my in-person concerts. For more information or to book this program for your school, library or venue, please visit my Programspage on my website, and fill out my online booking request form under Contact, Booking Request/Quote.
Live Concerts and Author Readings on Social Media
Many of you have suggested that I jump on board the scheduled social media live concerts and live author readings like many other musicians and authors are doing around the world. I am looking forward to seeing you all live, and will keep you posted about scheduling. In the meantime, I am happily illustrating my book to meet my art deadline. Maybe I'll post a live video as I illustrate! More to come!
New Video Premiere! (Watch video below)
Johnette Downing's beloved picture and board book TODAY IS MONDAY IN LOUISIANA is a culinary calendar of seven unique foods from the Bayou State for children. Based on the illustrations by Deborah Ousley Kadair Thomas, Noel Andersen animates this book and song in an interactive video that invites viewers to sing along with Johnette's avatar playing guitar. Winner of a National Parenting Publications Award and selected for the Big Read, this book is in its sixth printing, and the accompanying song is featured on Johnette's Silver Parents' Choice Award winning children's album FROM THE GUMBO POT. Published by Pelican Publishing, this book is the first in Johnette and Deborah's Today is Monday series which includes Texas, New York and Kentucky versions of unique foods from each state. Come and eat it up! For more information, visit http://www.johnettedowning.com.
Look at this messy desk! (see photo below)
I am knee deep in cut-paper collage as I illustrate a new picture book for River Road Press. The book is slated for a fall 2020 release. I can't tell you the title or what the book is about just yet, but I can give you a sneak peek at some of the people I am creating for the book. Check out my hipster grandmother! At an author event recently, I was signing some of my books for a lady who was buying them for her granddaughter. As we spoke, she said, "Why is it that children's books depict grandmothers as little old ladies with gray hair knitting in a rocker? Look at me. I have gray hair, but I am a pretty hip looking grandmother." She was! Not that anything is wrong with rocking or knitting mind you, but we get the point. So I promised her the next time I illustrated a book, I would make the grandmother gray haired, but hipster and maybe even a hippie. I hope I will make her proud!
CD Gift Set Sale!
Crank it up! Give the gift of music and collect all eight of Johnette’s physical recordings. From the Gumbo Pot is a celebration of Louisiana culture, cuisine, music styles, animals and traditions. Wild and Woolly Wiggle Songs features animals from around the world including Johnette’s original song about herds of animals titled “Africa” that a lady from Kenya believed to be Kenyan. Silly Sing Along tickles the funny bone with traditional and original sing-along favorites. Grab a scarf and join the parade with The Second Line, Scarf Activity Songs, a top seller among educators. Fins and Grins teaches children about marine animals, and is dedicated to the 3000 animals that perished at the Aquarium of the Americas during Hurricane Katrina. Get ready to dance to the classic soundscape of New Orleans with Dixieland Jazz for Children, the first recording of its kind as Johnette teams up with Jimmy LaRocca’s Original Dixieland Jazz Band. The backyard is buzzing alive with Boogie Woogie Bugs, a creepy crawly adventure with some lovable and not-so-lovable insects and arachnids. Reluctant readers no more! Reading Rocks! features songs and readings to inspire children to bop into books and get jazzed about reading.
Stay Safe. Stay Home
I wish you all good health and happiness.
