Books in First Steps Series series

In this amazing collection, Karen Howard truly opens the door to encountering folk songs from diverse cultures and experiences, on themes from family, animals, flowers, food, and more. The repertoire in First Steps in Global Music is particularly accessible for teachers and children wishing to discover these great songs. Organized by geographical region, Howard provides the context and guidance—including references to free recordings—for these songs to come alive.

Tracing its roots back more than 400 years, “There’s a Hole in the Bucket!” is another folk song classic that’s certain to delight today’s children. John M. Feierabend brings this beloved song to vivid life, while Marissa Madonna’s captivating illustrations add yet another dimension to the continuing legacy of this charming, engaging song. Like the other picture books in the First Steps in Music series, it includes a description of the history of the song, the notation for the song, and a link to download the song in audio form at www.giamusic.com.

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. 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 and a link to a free mp3 download of the song, sung by Jill Trinka.

"Favorite American folk songs of earlier generations come to life for today’s children in this delightful collection filled with wonder, magic, and make-believe. Storytelling and music are combined to create some of the best-loved and most enduring songs of childhood. Just as children love to be read to, they also love being sung to, especially when the song tells a story. These songs have narratives that range from silly and sorrowful to straightforward and satirical, and each song will generate wonderful images in a child’s imagination."

Including the text and musical notation of 80 lullabies that have withstood the test of time, this book will inspire joy, and laughter in infants and toddlers. The book features songs in English as well as in Japanese, Russian, Yiddish, Spanish, French, German, and several other languages, with English translations. Favorites such as Brahms' "Lullaby," "Hush, My Baby Don't You Cry," "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot," and "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" are just a sampling of the numerous multilingual, multicultural soothing songs that lull children to sleep.

Kitty Alone is the latest in a series of captivating picture books, each based on a beloved songtale from the great American folk music heritage. This beautifully illustrated version sets the song in the Appalachian Mountains and uses a bobcat, called a “woods ghost” by locals, as the title character. Like the other titles in the First Steps in Music series, Kitty Alone includes song history and notation, along with a free download link for the song, sung by Jill Trinka.

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.

The other day,I met a bear,Out in the woods,A-way out there The beloved echo song “The Other Day I Met a Bear” is beautifully rendered in this illustrated picture book. A favorite camping song for generations, this whimsical work is paired with a history and notation of the song as well as a link to a free download of two audio versions of the song—one with singing and an instrumental. Serving as a preservation of the heritage of great folk music, this book is true treasure for the whole family to enjoy time and again.

Beautiful and attractive books from the most prominent collector and advocator of the rich heritage and diversity of folk songs For generations, neighborhood kids would gather to skip rope, bounce balls, play hand-clapping games, or choose one another to be the first “it” in a game with a counting-out rhyme. The songs and rhymes in this book were made by playing these games and are a great foundation for music learning. By sharing these songs and rhymes with students during music class, today’s students will discover the joy of music and, hopefully, share the songs, rhymes, and games in this collection with their friends and family. The songs are organized into five distinct categories: Hand Clapping, Jump Rope, Ball Bouncing, Counting Out, and Passing and Stick Games.