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How i began to write animal songs for kids

Category: Animal Songs- Ocean

Published: Monday, July 13, 2009

Dear Friends,

People often ask me how I began to write animal songs for kids. My answer is always the same: "It all began with The Tide Pool Song."

Many years ago, I began to visit the tide pools in Laguna Beach, CA  where I live. I wanted to learn more about them so that I could become a tidewater docent and teach others about the tide pools and how to protect the ocean animals who live there. I'll never forget my first afternoon in the tide pools. I was so excited to see hermit crabs, sea anemones, urchins, sea stars, barnacles, opoleye, sculpin, seaweed and octopus. Until that day, I had not realized how many different animals and plants lived in the tide pools. I began to learn about their characteristics and behaviors and how they survived the comings and goings of the strong ocean tides.  For example, anemones cover themselves with small pieces of broken mussel shells in order to protect themselves from predators and from the heat of the sun. And did you know that sea stars have two stomachs? They put one of those stomachs outside their body to catch and digest their food. This allows them to catch bigger animals than they would by using their mouths. The more I learned, the more I felt a sense of wonder, awe and protectiveness toward the tide pool creatures. I couldn't wait to return and teach others what I had learned.

One day, soon after that magical afternoon in the tide pools, I was at home strumming on my guitar and I began to hum a brand new tune. The more I hummed the tune, the more I felt the same feelings I had while I was at the tide pools: feelings of happiness, curiousity and wonder.  Then I began to write words  to go with the tune. Words like: "I wonder what I'll see at the tide pool today, what might crawl by or swim my way."  and   " I better walk so gently, treat it with care, so the tide pool life will always be there."  Before I knew it, I had written my first animal song for kids, and I named it The Tide Pool Song. I began to sing it at the tide pools (of course), at schools, parties and wherever children would listen. It felt good to see how my song made kids (and adults) smile and want to learn more about the tide pools and tide pool protection.

I am proud to say that "The Tide Pool Song" is used by the California State Parks and Orange County Parks as a teaching song for kids. It is also in an Emmy award-winning film called "Tidepool Scene."   "The Tide Pool Song" is on the CD "IF I WERE A FISH and Other Ocean Songs for Kids" by Birdsong and the Eco-Wonders. I look forward to writing many more animal songs for kids. All it takes is an interesting animal or ecosystem to inspire me. And that happens all the time.

-Birdsong 

 

 

 

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About this Page: People often ask me how I began to write animal songs for kids. My answer is always the same: It all began with The Tide Pool Song. . . . I am proud to say that The Tide Pool Song is used by the California State Parks and Orange County Parks as a teaching song for kids. I look forward to writing many more animal songs for kids. All it takes is an interesting animal or ecosystem to inspire me. And that happens all the time.