Friday, December 28, 2012

It's Time to Leave Your Sleep...

"Girls and boys, come out to play, the moon doth shine as bright as day; leave your supper, and leave your sleep, and come with your playfellows into the street." ~ Mother Goose 

Margo and I are both excited to tell you about a wonderful book that we received as a gift for Christmas this year. It is an inspiring and fun compilation of music, art, and the written word. Leave Your Sleep by Natalie Merchant and illustrated by Barbara McClintock is a treasure to enjoy. The poetry is magical- written quite a while ago by some very interesting people. Natalie Merchant set their words into her own eclectic style of music, and with illustrations by Barbara McClintock, the book is truly something special. The CD is amazing, and my whole family enjoyed listening to it and reading along. Margo lost herself with a dancing bear, and I couldn't help but fall into a dream listening to Bleezer's Ice-Cream Store. My favorite story (poem) in the book is The Blind Man and The Elephant- you will have to read it for yourself- it's a great one! Margo also liked the story and song The Janitor's Boy- she's been bouncing up and down on the sofa, proclaiming her love, and rowing her way to freedom with an umbrella. Wishing all of you much cheer and happiness in this bright, new year! Happy reading : )  ~ F


Here's a sneak peek into this rich and textured work of art...

Snippet from the introduction by Natalie Merchant:

This collection of songs represents the long conversation I had with my daughter during the first six years of her life. It documents our word-of-mouth tradition in the poems, stories, and songs that I found to delight and teach her- this parade of witches and fearless girls, blind men and elephants, giants and sailors and gypsies, dancing bears, circus ponies, a Chinese princess and a janitor's boy. I tried to show her that speech could be the most delightful toy in her possession and that her mother tongue is rich with musical rhythms and rhymes. With these poems, I gave her parables with lessons on human nature and bits of nonsense to challenge the natural order of things and sharpen her wit...

Natalie Merchant is a musician who for the past thirty years has been recognized as one of America's most gifted singer-songwriters. She lives in the Hudson Valley of New York.



Barbara McClintock is an internationally acclaimed author and illustrator whose books have been named four times to the New York Times best Illustrated Books of the Year list. She lives in Windham, Connecticut. 



We were lucky enough to get to meet with Barbara McClintock at the 2012 UCONN Children's Book Fair. It was amazing to hear her talk about her experiences as an illustrator, and we are excited to let you know that she will be dropping by to chat with us in the month of January, so be sure to check back! 


I am Ebenezer Bleezer, I run BLEEZER'S ICE-CREAM STORE, there are flavors in my freezer you have never seen before, twenty-eight divine creations too delicious to resist, why not do yourself a favor, try the flavors on my list:

COCOA MOCHA MACARONI TAPIOCA SMOKED BOLONEY CHECKERBERRY CHEDDAR CHEW CHICKEN CHERRY HONEYDEW TUTTI-FRUTTI STEWED TOMATO TUNA TACO BAKED POTATO LOBSTER LITCHI LIMA BEAN MOZZERELLA MANGOSTEEN ALMOND HAM MERINGUE SALAMI YAM ANCHOVY PRUNE PASTRAMI SASSAFRAS SOUVLAKI HASH SUKIYAKI SUCCOTASH BUTTER BRICKLE PEPPER PICKLE POMEGRANATE PUMPERNICKLE PEACH PIMENTO PIZZA PLUM PEANUT PUMPKIN BUBBLE GUM AVOCADO BRUSSEL SPROUT PERIWINKLE SAUERKRAUT BROCCOLI BANANA BLUSTER CHOCOLATE CHOP SUEY CLUSTER COTTON CANDY CARROT CUSTARD CAULIFLOWER COLA MUSTARD ONION DUMPLING DOUBLE DIP TURNIP TRUFFLE TRIPLE FLIP GARLIC GUMBO GRAVY GUAVA LENTIL LEMON LIVER LAVA ORANGE OLIVE BAGEL BEET WATERMELON WAFFLE WHEAT

I am Ebenezer Bleezer, I run BLEEZER'S ICE-CREAM STORE, taste a flavor from my freezer, you will surely ask for more, twenty-eight divine creations too delicious to resist, come on do yourself a favor, try the flavors on my list. 



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14 comments:

  1. What a fascinating concoction! I love the names of all the flavors and expect the illustrations in the book are just as interesting.

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    1. Hi Anna, It's a wonderful book, and CD- the artwork is amazing and it's oodles of fun to listen to while reading along. Thanks so much for popping by : ) ~ F

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  2. I know that first poem! I've been reading a book that takes a poem and makes a dark story with it. The story they made with that one is one of the most recognizable for me.
    I couldn't help myself. I had to sing the ice cream poem out loud. I prefer it that way than the song. You need to get a little crazy with it :P

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    1. Hi Adriana, Ah, those poems hold a special place in my heart. It is so much fun to get a little crazy with the ice cream poem! Enjoy : ) Great to hear from you! ~ F

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  3. Yum! What fun! But I think I'll have to skip a few of Ebenezer's flavors, tempting as they all are. :)
    Cindy

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    1. Hi flasthecatblog, Definitely, especially the periwinkle sauerkraut- I can't even imagine that one, and I don't really want to! lol- thanks so much for stopping by! ~ F

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  4. How fun! It is amazing that as I read the flavors, the cadence works perfectly. How fantastic and unique. The trailer/video is great too! This is as unique and fun as anything I have seen in a while. This would be something my grandson would love. He's only 2.5 mos old, but he loves colors, books, and recordings. I recorded a Charlie Brown Christmas Book for him and he loves it. This would be right up his alley (and mine since I can't quit smiling or get the song out of my head). Thanks so much for sharing this wonderful book!

    Paul R. Hewlett

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    1. Hi Lionel, So glad you enjoyed the post! I can't say enough about the book- it also makes a wonderful gift. It's a great compilation of art to pass on to someone else and share the magic! It's so funny that you mention Charlie Brown- because, for me, this has sort of been the Charlie Brown holiday- everywhere I went, he caught my eye, and ended up on my Christmas cards. Thanks so much for stopping by to share your thoughts with us : ) ~ F

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  5. I know that first poem, too...isn't t a Jack Prelutsky poem?

    Love this entire concept!

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    1. Hi Patty, Thanks so much for checking it out- Yes! Bleezer's Ice-Cream Store is by Jack Prelusky : ) Excellent! Great to hear from you! ~ F

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  6. Oh my, this is a priceless X'mas gift! I love the sound of the poems, the pictures ... and yep, would love to try the Mozzarella Mangosteen Almond flavour.

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    1. Claudine- I think this is a book you will love! It is just amazing! ~F

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  7. I love all those flavors! How fun!

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    1. Donna- I agree! All those flavors are fun! :) ~L

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