[NIFL-FAMILY:1273] Reading Songs for Kids

From: Monty Harper (monty@ns.cowboy.net)
Date: Tue Nov 18 1997 - 09:45:47 EST


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From: Monty Harper <monty@ns.cowboy.net>
To: Multiple recipients of list <nifl-family@literacy.nifl.gov>
Subject: [NIFL-FAMILY:1273] Reading Songs for Kids
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Hello!

I'm a new subscriber. My name is Monty Harper. I'm a children's songwriter
and performer in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

Literacy is one of the issues I address with my music. I've been performing
for summer library programs and schools throughout Oklahoma for the past 8
years. I always ask my audiences if they love to read, and the older the
kids are, the fewer the hands that go up. (4th - 6th grade seems to be
where we're losing 'em.)

I'm in the process of recording some of my best reading songs for a new
release on cd and cassette.
My songs are targeted to kids in preschool through sixth grade. They are
fun, whimsical celebrations of reading. Titles include "Hanging Out With
Heroes at the Library," "The Great Green Squishy Mean Bibliovore," and
"Library Bookaneers." I strongly feel that the songs will encourage
children to become life-long readers, simply by conveying my own enthusiasm
about reading for pleasure. I have already seen this process at work in my
school and library presentations!

I'm funding this project with advance orders, and possibly grants. I'm
hoping that some folks on this list will be able to help. I'm looking for
the following:

- Research to support my assertions that elementary age kids need to be
encouraged to read for pleasure, and/or that music is a good way to help
them internalize the message that reading is fun.

- Reading and Literacy organizations who might endorse my project and/or
help get word out about it.

- Sources for grant money and people to write the grants.

- School systems, Library systems - any large organizations that serve
families or children - who might be interested in placing a large advanced
order for the cassettes or cds at a substantial discount. They would make
great prizes for reading incentive programs! My primary target date for
release is August 98, so they should be available for the '98/'99 school
year.

- Individuals interested in placing an advanced order.

I'm putting together a package including a demonstration cassette and
lyrics that I can mail to seriously interested parties. You can also sample
my music and find out more about me at my website:
http://www.cowboy.net/~mharper/

Thanks!

Monty Harper
monty@cowboy.net
http://www.cowboy.net/~mharper/
http://www.childrensmusic.org/

P.S. - Some of you might be interested in my Looking Glass Gazette website
at http://www.cowboy.net/~mharper/LGG.html - I publish children's writing
and artwork, including book reviews by kids for kids.



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