How i began to write animal songs for kidsCategory: 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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Post a CommentOther Recent ArticlesInteresting Facts and Photos about SharksCategory: Animal Songs- Ocean Published: Saturday, June 12, 2010 Whenever I write a new animal song for kids, I try to learn as much about the animal as I can. I first thought about writing a kids' song about sharks after visiting an aquarium and seeing these fascinating creatures up close. I could not fit all the things I learned about sharks into one song, so I have included a list of fun facts about sharks below, as well as some photos. Interesting Facts about the fascinating sharks: -There are about 350 different types of sharks, but researchers think there are other sharks that haven't been discovered yet! -The dwarf shark is as small as your hand, while the whale shark can be as large as a school bus! -A shark is one of the best hunters in the world. Even their little pups go out looking for food. -A shark's hunger can be satisfied with one good meal. The meal can last a long time because a shark uses little energy to swim. Some sharks hold food in their stomachs without it being digested. If they eat a big meal, it can last three or more months! Interesting Facts and Photos about SharksCategory: Animal Facts and Photos Published: Tuesday, June 08, 2010 Whenever I write a new animal song for kids, I try to learn as much about the animal as I can. I first thought about writing a kids' song about sharks after visiting an aquarium and seeing these fascinating creatures up close. I could not fit all the things I learned about sharks into one song, so I have included a list of fun facts about sharks below, as well as some photos. Interesting Facts about the fascinating sharks: -There are about 350 different types of sharks, but researchers think there are other sharks that haven't been discovered yet! -The dwarf shark is as small as your hand, while the whale shark can be as large as a school bus! -A shark is one of the best hunters in the world. Even their little pups go out looking for food. -A shark's hunger can be satisfied with one good meal. The meal can last a long time because a shark uses little energy to swim. Some sharks hold food in their stomachs without it being digested. If they eat a big meal, it can last three or more months! Watch our music video KEEP THE OCEAN CLEANCategory: Animal Song Videos Published: Friday, May 07, 2010 I asked my friends, the dolphins, what each of us could do to help them survive another million years or two. And the dolphins said: “Keep the ocean clean! That’s the most important thing.Please . . .Pick your trash up off the beach. Recycle 'most everything.. Find out what pollutes the sea. And ask your friends to help keep the ocean clean. After all, the ocean is our home,” We now have a Kelp Forest Coloring Book on our website, courtesy of Coast Cartoon Studio. CLICK HERE to go to our website for a free download of these fun, educational coloring pages. Have you ever seen a forest dancing Like a kelp forest dances in the sea? Dancing to the rhythm of the ocean A fancy dancing forest of seaweed. Slow dancing, swaying to the rhythm Hold fast to the bottom, and reach for the sun. Slow kelp dancing, swaying to the rhythm Hold fast to the bottom, and reach for the sun. Well, kelp is a kind of seaweed That holds onto a rock on the ocean floor ... Listen to our Little Pocket Mouse song-in-progressCategory: Animal Songs Published: Saturday, April 10, 2010 I’m small and furry, watch me scurry! It's the middle of the night and I'm in a hurry To gather seeds I like to eat. And store those seeds inside my cheeks. I'm a little pocket mouse. And when the sun begins to rise, I find my tunnel and I crawl inside. And there I hide the food I found And rest all day 'til the sun goes down. I'm a little pocket mouse. CHORUS: Pocket mouse, oh where's your house? It's underground where I cannot be found. Oh no, no, no! (no, no) I'm a mouse who likes my privacy, So it came as a surprise to me To learn I was hero in the rodent family! It started in 1972 On a spaceship that went around moon. Of all the animals smart and strong Who did the astronauts take along? It was the Little Pocket Mouse! With lots of food in their big cheek pockets, Five little mice boarded that rocket Didn't know much about outer space, but they were glad to help the human race That little pocket mouse! CHORUS: Pocket mouse, oh where's your house? It's underground where I cannot be found. Oh no, no, no! (no, no) I'm a mouse who likes my privacy, So it came as a surprise to me To learn I was hero in the rodent family! 
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