Mouse Puke

The Mouse has spent the last 16 hours marking her territory all about the house (and the left side of my favorite red shirt). The poor gal will celebrate her 9 month birthday today with a nasty stomach bug but the funny thing is that she couldn't be happier...when not upchucking - the girl is all kool-aid smiles, two-tooth laughs and squeezy hugs.

A scheduled long weekend in the Poconos is off 'cause two hours in the car with a code orange on the throw up front is just not a wise move.

...and the Bear has a low-grade fever this morning...this is shaping up to be one hell of a birthday weekend.

In other news, we added one final gift to the Bear stash (can you call 4 gifts a 'stash' or would a 'bundle' be more apropos?) when I picked up the new Fancy Nancy book "Bonjour, Butterfly" last night at Target during a Pedialyte run. We also decided on a digital camera, this one from Buy.com. I had no idea GE made cameras, but this one looks easy to use, got good reviews and is in a cool looking red. Used Google Checkout for the first time and saved $10, bringing the camera to $83 - a mere $4 more than the big clunky "kids" cameras.

It's my sailboat and I'll cry if I want to

The Bear turns 4 (holy crap!) this coming Sunday. We wanted so badly to have her party at World Cafe Live on 3/16 for the Justin Roberts show but it would wind up costing close to $600 which is flat-out insane. Then we looked for something else original and fun (renting out a small movie house and showing Singing in the Rain, local Fire Dept. for a tour of the trucks, YMCA's eco-party, etc.) but nothing made sense, was available or was affordable. So I had the radical idea of asking the Bear, who, it is important to note, has not once asked about her party or gifts or anything, if she would be cool with not having a party to celebrate turning 4 and instead going off to do something exciting and fun together as a trio (ditching the Mouse).

Her reply, "sure". She then added "can we go on a sailboat?"

And so it begins, a search for a sailboat cruise and accompanying activities. I'm looking at Shearwater sailing in NYC and maybe putting that together with a trip to American Girl Place for Afternoon Tea, Gustafer Yellowgold's Mellow Sensation off-Broadway show and a night in a cool hotel. Sure, it will end up costing more than a party, but it is money better spent than on crappy party favors, goodie bags, and food for a 2 hour event that will have us run-ragged by the end.

So far, we've purchased the Bear a framed Singin' in the Rain Poster from Allposters.com and the 1st grade version of Didi and Ditto - her favorite game (the kindergarten version) to play on the laptop. The only other gift we plan to buy is a digital camera, a less-expensive "adult" one not a plastic chunky kids camera.

So this solves my dilemma (or delays it for at least a year) of whether or not to include instructions inside the invitations for what not to buy the Bear (namely Disney merch or Bratz dolls). Whew!

Not to turn this into a mushy I-love-my-kid post...but I cannot believe I'm the father of a 4 year old girl. How freakin' strange all of this is. I couldn't be happier to have the Bear as my daughter though, she is amazing.

Hayes Greenfield's Jazz-A-Ma-Tazz Live

OWTK has been fortunate enough to be in the audience for dozens of kid's shows over the past couple years and while that does not crown me the definitive authority on what makes a great children's musical performance I feel pretty comfortable saying I can spot a good show when I see and hear one. With that said, let me tell you all that Hayes Greenfield's Jazz-a-Ma-Tazz traveling jazz show for kids is one of the finest examples of live kid's entertainment I've ever seen.

Blending a toe-tapping medley of energetic bebop jazz and call and response scat singing, climaxing with Hayes jumping down into the crowd to let kids scat, scream and (sort of) sing into the mic, Greenfield and his upbeat band (Sunny Jain behind "pots and pans" and Adam Roberts on double bass) delighted a crowd of youngsters who, in all likelihood, have never seen a sax or an upright bass played professionally in-person before. The band is tight musically, yet loose enough personality-wise to clearly see that each member of the trio is enjoying himself on stage. In short, Jazz-a-Ma-Tazz is as kid-friendly as Dan Zanes and as fun as They Might Be Giants - just in a radically different way. Additionally, where some adult-music veterans struggle with the transition to playing in front of and interacting with a pint-size fanbase, Greenfield and his band excel in speaking with (not down to) the kids who have come to listen to jazz for an hour.

Greenfield is not just an ax-man though, far from it. With his Jazz-a-Ma-Tazz show, he also serves as a sort of guide through the musical language and history of jazz music - albeit in an extremely truncated and light manner. He squeezes in several legendary jazz references, including Charlie Parker, Coltrane and Philly's own Rashied Ali, along with the musician's lingo for everything on stage (drums, for example can be called the already mentioned pots and pans or rims along with dozens of other monikers). Sunny then play each piece of the kit as he called out it's name (high hat, cymbal, etc).

Considering the story of early jazz was often passed down verbally from generation to generation, the inclusion of such references into a performance for toddlers that may comprise the next generation of players was not only fitting, but necessary. You and your kids will come away impressed, joyous and a little more knowledgeable at the end of a Jazz-a-Ma-Tazz show.

OWTK is a strong supporter of exposing kids to jazz music through great books (like Charlie Parker Played Be Bop and Hip Cat) and great music (I recommend anything Bird has ever recorded) but never before has there been such a cool way to take an infant, toddler or even a tween to see a jazz show. Jazz-a-Ma-Tazz is the type of show that could easily convert kids and their parents to jazz music and should serve to prove that jazz is as engaging as rock and roll and certainly was never designed to be background music (despite the presence of nauseating "soft jazz" radio stations).

I should mention that Greenfield has a new CD entitled "Music for a Green Planet" due to drop in April, on Earth Day. It's a collection of environmentally inspired jazz tunes that is quite good and clever. You can guarantee on seeing a review of the disc in April and hopefully a nice giveaway for your chance to score some cool jazz yourself.

The Spirit of The Band

On Friday night, the Mrs. and I saw Levon Helm perform at The Electric Factory in Philly. It was one of the most magical musical evenings of my life. To see that man, at age 67, rock out for over 2 hours was a thing of beauty. To hear him and his band perform 7 (!!!!) BAND or BAND-related tunes was, well, there isn't even a word for it.

Helm & his band played "Rag Mama Rag", "Long Black Veil", "Chest Fever", "Ophelia", "Going Back to Memphis", and "Tears of Rage" along with a beautiful rendition of Springsteen's "Atlantic City" - all sounding fantastic. But it was the song that ended the night that got the whole crowd signing, swaying and leaping for joy while getting this writer teary-eyed and that was "The Weight". Never in a million years did I think I would hear Levon Helm singing "The Weight" (or any BAND song for that matter) yet there I was a mere 25 feet away from a legend singing one of the most famous songs in rock-n-roll history. Sweet Jesus what a perfect evening. I can't wait to attend one of his midnight rambles in Woodstock, NY.

On the way home, I got to thinking, what would The Band sound like today if they were making kiddie music? Well, I imagine they wouldn't be too far removed from the kind of music The Hollow Trees are making right now. This L.A. collective are straight ahead Americana/Traditional in form and 100% fun in nature. Their new record "Welcome to Nelsonville" is a foot-stomping good time from start to finish and is littered with a couple brilliant gems. "Welcome to Nelsonville" is a record of predomintely original tunes including the rollicking "Hootenany", which the Bear excitedly sings along to, "Ray's Music Shop" which reminds me why mom-and-pop businesses regardless of the industry they occupy are always better, and "The Nelsonville American Historical Band" - each one an excellent example of down-home country-fried goodness modern-sounding enough for even the hippest East Coast urban kids and their parents. Additionally, the track "To Morrow", while not a Hollow Tree original, is one of the most clever tunes I've ever head. Here are the Muppets doing "To Morrow":



The Hollow Trees music is sweet and refreshing like an ice cold glass of lemonade on the front porch on a mid-summer day. In short, I cannot recommend The Hollow Trees' "Welcome to Nelsonville" enough.

WorryWoo Monster Giveaway Winners!

Congrats to Mama Zen and Jill (please send me an email Jill, I can't for the life of me figure out your email address from your homepage. outwiththekids_at_gmail_dot_com. Thanks!)

You have each won an autographed 1st edition copy of The Lonely Little Monster and an adorable Nola stuffed animal!

Thanks to all of you for entering the giveaway and for sharing a personal memory. I loved reading about your favorite childhood stuffed animals and the sad/happy/odd circumstances that brought them into your life as a youngster. I wish so much that I could give The Lonely Little Monster book and doll to each and every one of you. For those that did not win I would like to once again ask/suggest that you pick up a copy of this book or at the very least bookmark the WorryWoo Monster site and check back as future editions are released.

Stop back again for more parenting talk, music reviews and cool giveaways!

WorryWoo Week Continues - A Sneak Peak at Rue

WorryWoo Week is coming to an end. It's been a fun 5 days on OWTK. Thanks for spending it with us. Today, we take a look at Rue, the Monster of Insecurity. His book and doll are to be ready by mid-summer/fall of 2008.








To celebrate the conclusion of WorryWoo Week on OWTK, Andi Green has provided an exclusive sneak peek at Rue, including a page from the next book, and a picture of a very Muppets-Animalesque Rue Doll (which looks even cuter than Nola, if that possible).




Look at how fantastic the art looks here in a page from the next book! We are extremely excited to read the next edition and play with this fantastic looking doll.






The Bear is totally enamored with Nola, the doll, and I can only imagine that the adorable Rue will have a similar impact on her. She takes Nola everywhere, teaches her about everything (saying things like "Nola doesn't know about pretzels"), and generally makes sure that she is never lonely.




So many of you have left wonderful comments fondly recalling that special doll, stuffed animal or toy from your own childhood. I've enjoyed reading every single story and can't thank you enough for sharing what, for a good number of you, seem like very personal memories from decades ago. I can promise you that Nola has a good chance to be that special, unique stuffed animal that your child will cherish forever. I cannot urge you enough to go out and buy this instant classic book and the beautiful Nola doll for your child or for yourself.

Thanks again for spending this week with OWTK and the WorryWoo Monsters!

Joining us at the end? Go back and read the OWTK Review of The Lonely Little Monster and the OWTK Interview with Andi Green.

Visit the Official WorryWoo Monsters Website!

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Don't forget to leave a comment back here for your chance to win Nola - today is the last day to enter!

OWTK Interview with Andi Green - creator of The WorryWoo Monsters

WorryWoo Week continues on OWTK!

Get caught up on what you've missed - read the OWTK Review of The Lonely Little Monster. Stop back on Friday for a sneak peek at what's next in The WorryWoo series!

**Remember, you still have a chance to win NOLA! See details at the bottom...after the interview!**

Andi Green - author, creator and illustrator of The WorryWoo Monsters - was kind enough to answer a few questions about The Lonely Little Monster, the process of self-publishing and the future of The WorryWoo Monster series. She also provided this image of Nola and Rue (the next character in the WorryWoo series) that originally appeared as an art installation in NYC.

OWTK: First of all, congratulations on Nola, the first WorryWoo Monster book and doll - they are both stunning works of art. How long has Nola, the book, been in the works?

Andi Green: Nola and The WorryWoo Monsters first appeared in 2001 as part of an art exhibition in NYC, at the time I called them “The Monsters in My Head”. Each monster was framed in a light box (24X 36) with a story Xerox transferred to the front. Throughout the exhibition and once it was down I kept getting asked if I would sell my pieces and if I ever considered expanding this series into a more mass marketable idea. After a year of thinking about it, I decided to give it a go. I chose Nola to be my first. I started creating her book in 2002, but it wasn't until September of 2006 that I decided to really pursue the idea of publishing my book and making an actual Nola doll!

OWTK: Describe the process of self-publishing a kid's book. Many folks may think this is an easy thing to do…is it?

AG: I wouldn’t call it easy, but it is an exciting process. There are so many things to think about when your creating a book on your own. Designing, illustrating, writing and editing your book --- where to produce and how you want the final product to look – then isbn , barcode, sans, library code number. So you get through all this and then you have a book and the next phase of selling and getting your title out there begins. I am still trying to figure out the best formula, but it is a great experience, I still can’t believe I finished my first book!

OWTK: What are your goals with The WorryWoo Monsters – where do you see the series in five years?

AG: In five years I hope The WorryWoo Collection is complete and I am at a point where I am able to focus my full attention to expanding the series - I work full time and on the WorryWoos at night. Because each WorryWoo is an emotion, I think these six are just the first of so many emotions to be explored.

OWTK: What is coming up next in the series and how long will readers have to wait between books?

AG: The next in line will be Rue, The Monster of Insecurity. He is just about complete and ideally his story and plush will be available Mid-Summer or early Fall. I can't wait to release him, he is awesome!

OWTK: What have you learned through the process of publishing The Lonely Little Monster that you wish you'd known prior to starting?

AG: That's a tough question because I am still learning, which can be looked at as both good and bad. There are so many components you have to think about before getting your book out. From early reviews to distribution it is wise to lock down a plan... I jumped into this with little to no plan.. but on the flip side if I had researched all this I may have gotten too scared and never produced Nola... HA.

OWTK: The Lonely Little Monster deals frankly with the idea of being alone, something many kids and adults struggle with on a daily basis. There are numerous kids' books that address loneliness and other emotional topics, in what ways is The Lonely Little Monster book (and the entire WorryWoo series for that matter) different?

AG: There are definitely a lot of books out there that deal with emotions. What sets The WorryWoos apart are they are the emotion itself not just a character whose story some way ties into an emotion. Every time I’d pick up a current children's story that deals with life’s hurdles, the actual emotional experience seemed to be almost hidden and overly soft. My goal was to follow in the footsteps of older authors like Silverstein and Sendack, where you go for a real journey through the good and the bad. One that is simple enough to leave room for interpretation and discussion. I've received a very positive response on this from Art Therapists and Teachers who are using Nola and The Lonely Little Monster as a means for discussion.

OWTK: Where will folks be able to pick up Nola The Lonely Little Monster Book and Doll? Can we expect to see them in some of the big box book retailers?

AG: They are available on my website and on Amazon.com. Right now I am looking into getting my products more widely distributed, ideally into lots of independent book and specialty stores. When someone buys from my site the sale actually goes to an independent store that carries my product, I thought that was cool. But I wouldn’t stop a big retailer from carrying my stuff too… ☺

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Enter for your chance to win NOLA!

OWTK is giving away two (2) set of Nola The Lonely Little Monster. The winners will each receive the 1st edition book, signed by Andi Green, and the plush Nola doll.
For your chance to win, simply leave a comment back on the original post here telling me about your favorite childhood stuffed animal/doll/action figure/imaginary friend.
Do so before midnight (Eastern Time) on Friday the 15th and consider yourself entered in the giveaway. Winners to be announced the next day, 2/16.

*As always, I'm required to remind you that OWTK will never sell, abuse or even use (unless you win) your email address.

OWTK Introduces You To: The WorryWoo Monsters

I hereby declare this OWTK WORRYWOO WEEK!

*****2/13/08 Update - Read the OWTK Interview with WorryWoo creator Andi Green!*****

OWTK is proud and extremely excited to introduce you to The WorryWoo Monsters - a stunningly beautiful new series of children's books (and adorable stuffed animals) that aims to tackle the emotions we all face (loneliness, insecurity, confusion, etc).

I say introduce because I don't believe word has really spread far (yet) about the WooryWoo Monster series and/or the first book in it, Nola The Lonely Little Monster. The goal of this post, and the few that are too follow, is to change that.



WorryWoo Week is going to look something like this: today is the OWTK review of The Lonely Little Monster, a positively gorgeous book, and an awesome giveaway where you can win your very own first-edition autographed hardback copy of The Lonely Little Monster and a big, cuddly Nola plush doll. In the coming days, OWTK will bring you a Q&A with WorryWoo creator/author/illustrator Andi Green. After that, an exclusive sneak peak at what's in the WorryWoo pipeline.


The Lonely Little Monster

Nola is, as the title suggests, a lonely little monster who is desperately in need of a friend or, we are to imagine, a mere passer-by. She is flat-out miserable because of her loneliness for the first portion of the book and eventually cries an ocean of tears at her misfortune. The reader feels Nola's pain and empathizes with her simple wish of companionship. It's the pouty way in which Nola explains her emotions that we understand just how young of a monster she is. Kids will respond to her plea and the manner in which she longs for a playmate. It's in her bountiful tears, half way through the book, that she finally gains the company she desires.


Therein lies a subtle message for kids and adults alike - never be afraid to be honest about your feelings even if it means being moved to tears for it's inside that display of raw emotion that we can overcome our fears and longings. That happens to be exactly what Nola learns when through her damp eyes she spots tiny critters in the wake of the sea. Turns out those who we long to be near often feel the same way about us and are sometimes right under our noses.

The story is sweet and simple yet at the same time carries with it a subtle heaviness, after all this is a powerful emotion being examined here. It's the illustrations, however, that set The Lonely Little Monster apart from virtually every other children's book on the market. Andi Green's watercolors are without a doubt some of the prettiest artwork to accompany literature that this writer has ever seen. It is a true work of art from start to finish.

At first, I did have this complaint about the book : The reader wants to spend quality time on each page, to fully appreciate Mrs. Green's depictions of Nola and her surroundings, but there is an overall lack of text from page to page. This structure makes the reader feel as though they must progress through the book too rapidly. I feel that maybe there was so much wonderful art ready for this first book and a strong desire to share that art with the world that the text was spread out a bit too thin. But it turns out this isn't a complaint at all. The book's layout is used to encourage, rather than deter, folks to spend more time on each page AFTER the initial read. So, we typically flip through the book twice at each sitting - once to read/hear the story and again to admire the artwork and the story that the pictures tell.

Any book lover should rush to pick up The Lonely Little Monster for themselves and their small children. I would put the ideal age for this book at 4-8 but as with many kids books, the real age range is much wider.



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THE LONELY LITTLE MONSTER GIVEAWAY!

We are happy to be able to give away two (2) sets of Nola - The Lonely Little Monster. The two winners will each receive the 1st edition book, signed by Andi Green, and the plush Nola doll.

For your chance to win, simply leave a comment here telling me about your favorite childhood stuffed animal/doll/action figure/imaginary friend. Do so before midnight (Eastern Time) on Friday the 15th and consider yourself entered in the giveaway.
Winners to be announces the next day, 2/16.

*As always, I'm required to remind you that OWTK will never sell, abuse or even use (unless you win) your email address.

Thanks and best of luck!

Can't wait to win? Buy The Lonely Little Monster and Nola today!

WE HAVE WINNERS - Maggie and the Ferocious Beast DVDs

The two winners have been selected with some help from random.org.

Becky and Susanne - you will both be getting 2 new Maggie DVDs courtesy of OWTK and Shout Factory.

Thanks to everyone for entering. Be sure to stop back on Monday for the start of a very special week on OWTK. For the first time, OWTK will dedicate an entire week to a single entity and we will start with a terrific giveaway.

Until Monday...

Last Day to Win a Date with Maggie and the Beast

Reminder: Today is your last day to enter for your chance to win a 2 DVD set of Maggie and the Ferocious Beast.

VAMPIRE WEEKEND!

The Mrs. and I are heading down to see Vampire Weekend tonight. This is, by my count, their third Philadelphia gig in the last six months. While I've been enjoying their music (thanks to KEXP.org) for the past year it seems, we never ventured down to see them in my hometown. Tonight however, that changes. The show at the 1st Unitarian Church is sold out - in fact, pairs of tix have been going for $150+ on eBay (yikes). Considering the face value is $10, that's an impressive profit margin. I wish I bought a dozen or so to unload at those markups!

Anyway, VW is just about the biggest hyped indie band in the last few years - probably since Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. Hopefully they can pull off their minimalist rock-n-roll style in a live setting. Some non-bombastic rock bands, the Shins for example, leave a little something to be desired live. Either way, it'll be a nice night Out Without The Kids.

I Heart Stubby Pencils

After reading about them on Green Mom Finds this afternoon, I just ordered The Bear a few dozen Valentine's Day cards from Stubby Pencil Studio - a Portland, Oregon based Mom-run business selling homemade cards, stationary and art supplies made from environmentally friendly materials. Stubby Pencils was started in reaction to the overly commercialized and branded kid's product lines out there. A company after my own heart!

The backs of these cool cards feature a "To and From" section for your little one to scribble their name and that of their classmates/cousins/etc, if they so choose.

Despite the holiday being a mere 9 days away, there's still time to order and get them delivered in time for your kids to color 'em and hand 'em out to their friends on the 14th (I called and spoke to Kate Rosenthal, the owner, to confirm this).
Shipping costs are reasonable for USPS Priority Mail ($4 for 3 dozen cards).

Order your set(s) right now!

Super Duper Bouncy Tuesday

Watch this snazzy new HD video from our friends Ellen and Matt...then (if you reside in one of the lucky 22 states) Vote.

If this song doesn't wake you up and get you ready to change the country, nothing will.

More Maggie, More Beast - DVD Review and Giveaway

What can I say about the greatest toddler/preschool-age show on TV and DVD? For the past two weeks the Bear and I have been watching the two new Maggie and the Ferocious Beast DVDs and I still haven't found proper words to describe this first class show in any new light. It's adorable, polite and flawlessly executed from start to finish.

This week marks the release of those two new Maggie and the Ferocious Beast DVD sets from Shout! Factory. "Rain Showers & Spring Flowers" and "Recipes for Trouble" (both available Tuesday February 5th 2008) present a total of 8 Maggie and the Ferocious Beast episodes containing a total of 24 separate shows, each one a perfect example of blissful, idyllic kid's entertainment. The tales told and lessons examined in Maggie and Ferocious Beast are done so at a gentle pace, allowing youngsters as early as 18 months to grasp the subtle messages of friendship, being different and appreciating what we have all around us. What's totally fantastic about the new collections is the inclusion of numerous musical numbers and music-themed shows - from the presence of the double-bass playin' B.B. Katz in several episodes to the marvelous ode to our favorite redhead by Hamilton Hocks on "Maggie's Song". As always, viewers will spend time with a bevy of favorite Nowhere Land friends such as Rudy, Nedley, the Jelly Bean Team and, new here, the hilarious Buffleheaded Booby.

I cannot recommend Maggie enough to any family with young kids - older infants to kindergarten age. You'll find the characters silly, charming and your tots will be enamored with Maggie, Hamilton, Beast and the rest of the gang from the very first viewing.



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OWTK is very happy to be able to give away two (2) sets of Maggie and the Ferocious Beast DVDs to a couple of lucky readers. All you need to do is this: Leave a comment here letting me know what your favorite TV show or book was when you were growing up. Do so before midnight ET on Friday 2/8/08 and you will be entered to win both "Rain Showers & Spring Flowers" and "Recipes for Trouble" on DVD. Winners will be announced and notified on Saturday 2/9/08. (OWTK never sends unwanted emails - so have no fear. I hate those as much as you do.)

Thanks and good luck!


More Maggie and the Ferocious Beast

We have a winner!

Congrats to Isil Simsek on winning the Putumayo Kids CD 2-pack! We had over 130 entries (thanks to each of you, I wish I could give y'all some great music!)

Be sure to stop back all month for more awesome giveaways!

Six Things About Me

Noami aka Superdumb Supervillian has tagged me and I am now required, according to blogger bylaw 382.1A, to tell y'all six things/habits/quirks about myself.

Here are the rules:

Share six non-important things/habits/quirks about yourself. (check)

Tag six random people at the end of your post by linking to their blogs. (nope)

Let each random person know they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their website. (no thanks).

So, I'm not tagging anyone else, but I'm tossing in a bonus "thing" about me to compensate.

Six Things/Habits/Quirks About Me

1. I use certain types of drinking glasses for certain types of drinks (ie: I always drink water from a hard plastic/outdoor patio type of vessel and I drink milk, soda or anything with ice in a glass glass. Oh, and apple juice gets it's own type of glass/never plastic - yuck!)
   
2. I love getting the mail - bills, junk, doesn't matter. No one in the house is allowed to visit the mailbox before me.
   
3. I never get a good night's sleep the evening before my Fantasy Football League's annual draft.
   
4. I have a stack of books on my desk (Tipping Point, Through the Children's Gate, Growing a Girl) that have all been started yet barely get touched and I kinda hate myself for that most every day.
   
5. I bite my fingernails...and at times, my cuticals.
6. My vices are donuts (old fashioned cake with chocolate frosting), BBQ Chicken Pizza and Bernaise Sauce (with steak, not the pizza).
7. I remember, and often fondly reflect upon, the best meals I've ever had. The finest? Pan Roasted Halibut with Dungeness Crab Orzo at a place called 90 West in Vancouver, British Columbia.