First Steps in Music

Classic folk music and colorful illustrations tell this funny tale of a little man who tries to help his sick wife feel better by granting her wish to dine on crabfish. Upon being presented to his wife for her examination, the wily crustacean pops up and grabs her by the nose. Passed down for 400 years through song, this folktale continues the oral tradition. The new edition includes a link to a free mp3 download featuring two versions of the song, one with a singer and the other with an accompaniment for singing along.

I'll trade you this for that! Whether trading marbles, baseball cards, or doll clothes, children have always enjoyed the game of trading. In this captivating book, illustrator Gabriella Geida imagines this beloved folk song as a way of trading toys between friends. Also known as "The Foolish Boy," "Wim Wim Wobble O," "I Went to London," and "Old John Braddalum," the song is most likely British in origin and was frequently recorded in the twentieth century. "The Foolish Boy" is an old English nursery rhyme whose story can be found in variations in Hans Christian Andersen and The Brothers Grimm. The theme of making swaps, each one with a worse outcome than the previous swap, can be found in German folklore. Like the other picture books in John M. Feierabend's First Steps in Music series, The Swapping Song includes a description of the history of the song, the notation of the song, and a link to a free MP3 download of the song, sung by Jill Trinka.

A hilarious folk song comes to life in this charming children's picture. Risseldy, Rosseldy tells the story of a husband and his incredibly lazy wife, whose antics are sure to bring laughter to young readers. This book is perfect for introducing children to traditional folk music in a fun and engaging way. Follow the couple from their wedding day through the years as the wife's laziness leads to increasingly absurd situations. The catchy tune features a clever tongue-twister chorus that grows more elaborate with each verse, making it a delightful read-aloud experience for families and classrooms. This book includes the fully notated song, complete lyrics, and a detailed history of the beloved folk song. It's a wonderful addition to the First Steps in Music series, designed to spark a love of music in young children. - Introduce children to folk music - Enjoy a funny and engaging read-aloud experience - Learn a traditional song with a catchy tune This book is ideal for children ages 3-7 who enjoy silly stories and sing-alongs. Discover the joy of Risseldy, Rosseldy and share this timeless folk song with a new generation!

The Fox Went Out on a Chilly Night is one of the most enduring of children's folk songtales, with roots dating back to England some 500 years ago and recorded by Peter, Paul, and Mary, Harry Belafonte, Pete Seeger, Burl Ives, The Smothers Brothers, and many more. Beautiful illustrations by Taylor Herrington evoke a wily fox as he roams a sleepy New England town in search of a meal for his family, with tones and textures that are so vivid you can almost hear the rustle of leaves and see the shimmer of moonlight over the meadows. Like the other picture books in John M. Feierabend's First Steps in Music series, The Fox Went Out on a Chilly Night includes a description of the history of the song, the notation of the song, and a link to a free mp3 download of the song, sung by Jill Trinka.

A whimsical journey around the world with a musical twist!Join in the fun as a playful aunt travels to exotic locations and brings back the most unusual souvenirs. From a wooden shoe to a hula hoop, each item adds to the delightful chaos and humor of this timeless folk song. My Aunt Came Back is a beautifully illustrated picture book that will have children laughing and singing along. Perfect for introducing young readers to different cultures and the joy of music, this book is sure to become a family favorite. Includes a fully notated version of the music with all words and hand motions. Target Audience: Children ages 3-7

Telling the whimsical story of an absent-minded tailor and his trusty mouse companion, this narrative highlights a fantastic children's folk song that has been enjoyed throughout the ages. The tale follows the duo as the mouse becomes ill and the dim-witted tailor tries a harebrained method to cure him. Spectacular illustrations capture the colorful lives of these characters, making this picture book another worthy addition to its beloved series and helping to preserve the great "songtales" of the American heritage. Instructions on how to download the complimentary song are featured, and the fully notated version is included with a complete set of lyrics and the history behind this fanciful yarn.

A classic folksong is brought vividly to life in this enchanting children's picture book, accompanied by beautiful paintings that capture the essence and wonder of this story and pull the reader in to a fantastic world of music and wonder. "There was a Man and He Was Mad" exists in many variations, and was popular as early as 1886, when James Orchard Halliwell published it in his "The Nursery Rhymes of England." The melody is very simple and therefore easy to learn, and is reminiscent of the favorite children's folk song, "Old McDonald." Throughout its aural life, "There Was a Man and He Was Mad" has been continually reinvented for no other reason than the pleasure of placing this man in more and more ridiculous situations. This book captures one of the many wonderful versions of the song-with an added twist!

A classic folk song comes to life in this delightfully illustrated picture book! For hundreds of years, children and adults have enjoyed the tall tale of the Derby Ram. This legendary ram is so big his horns "reach up to the moon," and the wool on his belly sold for 40,000 pounds. "Every foot he had, sir, took an acre of land." This edition includes a link to a free MP3 download featuring two versions of the song: one with a singer and one with an accompaniment for singing along. Perfect for introducing young children to folk music and encouraging participation, Derby Ram is a fun and educational experience for all ages.

A playful romp through the woods with a bear! Generations have delighted in "The Other Day I Met a Bear," a beloved echo song perfect for summer camps and sing-alongs. Now, this whimsical tale comes to life in a beautifully illustrated picture . Join the fun as a child encounters a bear, leading to a lighthearted chase and a daring climb up a tree. The playful artwork transforms a potentially fearsome encounter into a joyful game between friends. This is more than just a ; it's a celebration of imagination and friendship, ideal for young children and families. Download two free audio versions of the song and create lasting memories with this timeless treasure. Perfect for ages 3-7.

A delightful musical tale of an unlikely courtship! This charming picture tells the story of a frog and a mouse who fall in love and decide to get married. Radiant illustrations bring to life this whimsical narrative, perfect for young children. Join the persistent frog and the mouse he loves as they plan their wedding, complete with a fun-filled feast! But when a menacing cat interrupts the celebration, the groom finds himself in a sticky situation. Will their love survive? This timeless tune, previously recorded by legends like Woody Guthrie and Bob Dylan, will captivate children and adults alike. This irresistible picture includes full notations and lyrics, as well as a detailed history of this classic yarn. It's a perfect way to preserve the best music for future generations. For children ages 3-8.

To grandmother's house we go! Take a lively ride through the white and drifted snow with this festive holiday folk song, part of a series of captivating picture books based on beloved songtales from the great American folk tradition. Children will be swept up in the snowy fun as they sing along to this classic tune. Beautifully brought to life with Kian Sylvester's vibrant illustrations of Civil War soldiers reuniting with their families for a Thanksgiving celebration, this retelling showcases America's rich diversity and captures the joy of coming together. Like the other folk song picture books in the series, Over the River and Through the Woods includes the song's history, notation, and a link to a free MP3 download of the song. Another winner collected by John M. Feierabend!

Even the big bad fox can' t resist joining the fun in this topsy-turvy folk song, part of a series of captivating picture books based on beloved songtales from the great American folk music tradition. The song' s catchy Mixolydian melody and comical depiction of Old Joe Clark have made this song an American favorite since the early 1900s. Garant Cosey' s vibrant illustrations capture the imaginative spirit of the song, featuring characters who are singing, dancing, and playing the banjo (and spoons). More than 90 silly verses have been published for this song over the years. Add to the fun by creating your own! Like the other folk song picture books in the series, Old Joe Clark includes a description of the history of the song, the notation of the song, and a link to a free MP3 download of the song, sung by Jill Trinka. Another winner collected by John M. Feierabend!

" You' ll come a-waltzing" with this lively Australian folk song, part of a series of captivating picture books based on beloved songtales collected by John M. Feierabend. Chock-full of whimsical Australian vocabulary, Waltzing Matilda depicts the rugged adventures of a traveling worker (" swagman" ) as he journeys across the Australian countryside, encountering both good fortune and trouble along the way. Adriana Wimler' s colorful illustrations capture the natural beauty of the Australian landscape and feature several indigenous Australian animals. See if you can spot them all! Like the other folk song picture books in the series, Waltzing Matilda includes a description of the song and its history, the music notation, and a link to a free MP3 download of the song, sung by Jill Trinka.

Momma, Buy Me a China Doll is the latest, lavishly illustrated children's songtale based on the great American folk music heritage and collected by John M. Feierabend. This delightful song tells the story of Liza Lou, who dreams of owning a china doll after seeing one in a peddler's cart. Owning a china doll, however, would be a luxury far out of reach for a poor mountain girl from the Ozarks. One of the endearing charms of this song is how Liza is able to provide countless ideas that could lead to raising money to buy a china doll…but alas, to no avail. Like the other picture books in John M. Feierabend's First Steps in Music series, Momma, Buy Me a China Doll includes a description of the history of the song, the notation of the song, and a link to download the song in audio form at no cost. This book is part of John M. Feierabend's continuing effort to preserve our rich heritage of children's folksongs. GIA Publications, Inc. is pleased to expand its series of picture books based on these timeless songs and stories. READ! LISTEN! SING ALONG!

A musical bedtime adventure awaits!Kitty Alone is a captivating picture book based on the beloved folk song, transporting young readers to the Appalachian Mountains. Join Kitty, a curious bobcat, as she encounters a cast of friendly creatures in this enchanting tale. Adapted by John M. Feierabend and beautifully illustrated by Mina Echevarria, this book brings the magic of music and storytelling to life. Perfect for children ages 3-7, Kitty Alone is a delightful addition to any bedtime routine. Discover the joy of friendship and imagination with Kitty and her friends! This heartwarming story is sure to become a cherished favorite. Why buy now? Because it's a perfect way to introduce children to folk music and the beauty of Appalachian culture.

Prepare to be amazed by one old lady' s bizarre and enormous appetite in this delightfully silly folk song, part of a series of captivating picture books based on beloved songtales from the great American folk tradition. Each verse of this classic cumulative tale gets longer and longer as the old lady progressively consumes larger and more improbable animals, a comedic premise that has delighted audiences for centuries. In this cleverly illustrated version by artist Isiah Timmons, no animals were harmed. Instead, Timmons has created a fantastical " Candyland" inhabited by animal-shaped sweets on which the old lady feasts. How many will she eat before it' s too late? Like the other folk song picture books in the series, There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly includes the song' s history, notation, and a link to a free MP3 download of the song. Another winner collected by John M. Feierabend!

A hilarious tale of domestic rivalry set to a classic folksong!Father Grumble thinks he can handle household chores better than his wife. She agrees to plow the field while he takes over her duties at home. But Father Grumble soon discovers that running a household is much harder than he thought! Based on the 15th-century "Ballad of a Tyrannical Husband," this delightful picture book brings the classic folksong to life with vibrant illustrations. Perfect for family read-alouds and introducing young children to traditional music and humorous stories. Includes a link to a downloadable song. For children ages 3-7.

Had a Little Rooster is the latest lavishly illustrated children's songtale from GIA Publications, Inc. A cumulative song that has been shared for more than 100 years, each verse of "Had a Little Rooster" introduces a new character and a new sound that must be added to the previous verse. Cumulative songs are tons of fun for kids, challenging singers to use more and more breath and to remember an ever-increasing cast of characters and sounds. The song can be downloaded with a code included in the book.

A beautifully illustrated version of the classic and humorous song, "Jennie Jenkins" A beautiful take on a timeless story, this picture book will become a favorite of today's children, another wonderful chapter in the continuing legacy of a delightful, classic songtale. In the United States, "Jennie Jenkins" was sung as a way for a boy to ask a girl to dance. The boy would sing the first part and pick a color and the girl would have to make up an answer that rhymed. If the girl failed to quickly respond with an appropriate answer, she would be required to dance with the boy. The fully notated version of this song with all the words is included at the end of the book, along with a detailed history of the song. An MP3 of the song is also available for free download.

A timeless counting song comes to life with adorable animals!Over in the Meadow introduces young readers to a vibrant meadow filled with animal families. From a mother turtle and her little one to a mother rabbit and her ten bunnies, children will delight in counting along with each verse. Adapted by John M. Feierabend and beautifully illustrated by Marissa Napoletano, this classic folksong is perfect for: - Learning numbers and counting - Discovering different animal habitats - Enjoying a musical story time This picture is a delightful way to engage children with nature, music, and early literacy. A fully notated version of the song and its history are included, making it a treasured addition to any family's library. Perfect for ages 3-7.

A timeless folk song comes to life for a new generation!There's a Hole in the Bucket! is a delightful adaptation of the classic song, perfect for engaging young children with music and problem-solving. Join Liza and Georgie on their fishing trip as they encounter a leaky bucket and try to find a way to fix it. With captivating illustrations by Marissa Madonna and a lively adaptation by John M. Feierabend, this picture brings the beloved song to vivid life. It's an entertaining and educational resource for parents, educators, and children ages 3-7. Discover the joy of singing along and learning together! This includes: - The history of the song - The notation for the song - A link to download the song in audio form

Written by a national leader in early childhood music education, this creatively illustrated book contains everything you need to lead a music class for preschool and early elementary students, including: echo songs, call-and-response songs, simple songs, songtales, action songs, circle games, beat motion activities, and more. Repertoire in the curriculum is based on folk music and traditional songs and rhymes because of their natural melodic expressiveness, language flow, and texts filled with wonder. Additionally, the book includes complete lesson plans for a three-year curriculum, coordinates with high-quality recordings, and offers a classical music component perfect for movement. There is no better resource for furthering a child's musical growth!

How can there be a cherry that has no stone? Find the answer to this and other head-scratching riddles in The Riddle Song, part of a series of captivating picture books based on beloved songtales from the great American folk tradition. In this charming reimagination of a centuries-old classic, artist Lexi Baboukis evokes an idyllic countryside where a squirrel, goose, chicken, and two goats gather to hear a woman play lap dulcimer beneath the open sky. By the end, each animal reveals the delightfully clever answer to one of the song' s four puzzling riddles. This musical brain teaser will at once spark curiosity and warm the heart with its whimsical lyrics and melody. And as with the other folk song picture books in the series, The Riddle Song includes the song' s history, notation, and a link to a free MP3 download. Another winner collected by John M. Feierabend!