Confetti Park

Fireflies, lightnin’ bugs… catch ‘em in a jar. Then let ‘em go, and watch ‘em fly far. Can you believe how many wonderful children’s songs there are from Louisiana? Jazz, zydeco, blues, rock…. it just goes on and on. Songs featured in this episode, in order: When the Saints Go Marching In - Hack Bartholomew Joke of the Day - Spider & the Firefly Jump - Schatzy This Little Light - Kermit Ruffins Turkey Snapping Turtle - narrated by Louis Ray Firefly - Jazzy Ash When You’re In Love You’ll Understand - Jim Cummings We Are the Lightnin’ Bugs - The Lightnin’ Bugs Crawfish Fiesta - Professor Longhair Also featured in this episode, a childhood Music Memory by Miss Chocolate, and the Confetti Park Storytime feature, Reflections of Childhood by Minnie Carter (narrated by Catherine Golden). About Confetti Park The Confetti Park podcast and radio program, hosted by Katy Hobgood Ray, features music and stories spun in Louisiana. It showcases songs that kids love, songs created for kids, and songs created by kids. S

Confetti Park: A music medley of children's music from Louisiana… lots of variety! This medley of children's songs showcases the diversity of Louisiana music. And today’s music medley features songs about frogs, leap frog, the alphabet in French, rocket ships, and more. What a variety from a huge talent pool of musicians. Songs featured in this episode, in order: Super Frog - Asylum Street Spankers Joke of the Day - Zeros and Eights Can You Do It? - Imagination Movers Leap Frog - Jazzy Ash Rayden and Leah - French alphabet Hard To Explain - Mr. Michael’s Class from Young Audiences of Louisiana Jenny's Rocket - Ph Fred Also included in this episode is a childhood Music Memory from Randy Guynes, and the Storytime feature, Her Royal Majesty, the Superhero Bride of Frankenstein,  by Melinda Taliancich Falgoust.  About Confetti Park The Confetti Park podcast and radio program, hosted by Katy Hobgood Ray, features music and stories spun in Louisiana. It showcases songs that kids love, songs created for kids, and s

Confetti Park: A music medley of children's music from Louisiana… lots of variety! This medley of children's songs showcases the diversity of Louisiana music. And today’s music medley features songs about lots of sea creatures and jokes about dinosaurs. Oysters, stingrays, seagulls, dolphins, submarines, rowboats, T-Rexes? What a variety! Songs featured in this episode, in order: Oscar de la Oyster - Louisiana Pollywogs 
Joke of the Day - Grandpa T-Rex Yellow Submarine - Papa Grows Funk Stingray Shuffle - Johnette Downing Bah Bah Black Sheep - Louis Ray of the Confetti Park Players Row Row Row Your Boat - Dr. John Salty Seas Sings - Lynda Deniger     Also included in this episode is a childhood Music Memory from Charlotte Hunter, and the Storytime feature, Adolpheaux the Adventurous Dolphin, by Tommie Townsley. About Confetti Park The Confetti Park podcast and radio program, hosted by Katy Hobgood Ray, features music and stories spun in Louisiana. It showcases songs that kids love, songs created for kids, a

Confetti Park: A music medley of children's music from Louisiana… lots of variety! This medley of kids music shows the diversity of Louisiana musicians. And today’s music medley features songs about raccoons, emus, animals at the aquarium, lullabies, irresistible dance tunes, and more. There are also sweet poems and jokes and jumprope jingles throughout. Songs featured in this episode, in order: Ooh Poo Pah Doo - Troy Andrews Joke of the Day - Catch a Squirrel Nobody Likes Fun More Than Me! - Don Hoffman and Bryan Wagar Humpty Dumpty - Confetti Park Players On the Bayou - a poem by Jaden Norris of Arden Cahill Academy Don’t Mess with My Toot Toot - Fernest Arceneaux, The Zydeco All Stars & Rockin' Dopsie, Jr. Emus - The Lightnin’ Bugs The Children’s Hour - Longfellow - Read by Magpie Baccinelli I Went to the Aquarium - Johnette Downing Stay Awake - Lori Carsillo How is the House Cat - Greg Schatz Also included in this episode is a Music Memory from Darleen Ketchens, beloved New Orleans clarinet player a

From North Louisiana (Bossier Parish) comes a Bible-inspired book suitable for all ages because of its unique multilayered approach. For families of Christian faith who want an easy way to teach their children about Bible verses and God, that can be revisited again and again as the child grows, this book is ideal. As you listen to Robin narrate her book, you will hear the very simple layer ideal for young children. As Robin moves through the alphabet, she describes characteristics of God of the Christian faithful. From the website: "God from A to Z is Robin’s first published children’s book. Aimed at young children, the illustrated book describes the God of the Bible in detail, with each letter of the alphabet linked to one of God’s aspects. God’s nature is poetically captured in Robin’s writing while Peggy A. Borel’s beautiful illustrations visualize and cement the concepts for young minds on each page." In addition, there are verses and discussion concepts included in the pages of the book, that are mean

It’s Confetti Park Storytime! In this episode, we hear The Black Hair Alphabet, narrated by author and illustrator Deborah A. Anderson. This is a children’s book that names different African-American hairstyles, from A-Z. Deborah’s illustrations, which she created digitally, showcase a terrific diversity of styles. A is for Afro. B is for Bantu Knot. C is for Conk. Deborah, who lives in New Orleans, is an animator and 3D artist by trade. She trained in Digital eMation in South Korea where she was a 3D Artist on shows such as Family Guy, The Cleveland Show, Batman: The Brave and The Bold and Scooby Doo. In an interview with the Mane Man blog, Deborah explained why she decided to explore black hairstyles from A-Z. “The original premise came from the fact that a lot of people who play video games, namely guys, are aggravated by lack of representation in hairstyles when making avatars,” explained Deborah. “It’s always dreads or an afro, maybe a low-cut. This is the beginning of my journey in figuring out black h

Are you ready for the creation story of Juju the Good Voodoo Doll? In a cabin in a bayou one foggy night Marie the VooDoo Queen was casting spells on dolls that were good, and some that were a fright. One little doll she saw at a glance— purple hair, big black eyes and a gold dress. could this be the very one, by chance? “You are special…. you are the one!” and so Marie mixed the spell of good deeds for this doll. This is how the story of Juju the Good Voodoo doll begins her role casting spells of good deeds on others who need help. This is the very first in the adorable series by Michelle Hirstius. “Voodoo, Hoo Doo, You do! Juju knows voodoo, and I’ll put a good spell on you.” From here, you can follow her adventures in books both written and illustrated by the very talented and creative Michelle Hirstius, who lives in New Orleans. Confetti Park is so delighted to share some of Juju’s other adventures in our Storytime feature too! Listen along as Juju saves Christmas in da Bayou (and meets Cajun St. Nick) a

In this episode of Confetti Park Storytime, we hear "The Fairy Fox of Bossier" by Iran Martin, from his book Grand’s Fairy Tales. Father and son are on a walk through the forests of Bossier to gather wood. They leave mother home cooking their supper, and she warns them not to be late. “I remember mother standing over her cooking pot, as was her custom, spicing a little of this, and a little of that,” recalls the son. When the men are walking, pushing their rickety cart, the father talks of a place where the limbs drop from trees, making for easy gathering. They continue searching for this place, and keep walking farther and farther, always thinking it is just a little bit ahead. “Soon we were overcome by weariness, and sat down to rest," says the son. "The sun was fast sinking behind silvery shreds of dark shadows. And not any wood had been found.” “Then, unexpected music swelled our senses with harps, flues, fiddles and the like….Suddenly, a wide berth of emerald colored glass appeared…from an open door wit

In this episode of Confetti Park Storytime, we hear Patti Pig, Please Clean Your Digs, narrated by the author, Cindy Foust, mastermind behind the Alpha-kidZ book series. Patti Pig, Please Clean Your Digs  is the “P” book in the series, of course! Patti’s bedroom “is messy, to say the least. In fact, be careful looking under her bed, in case you come across a big hairy beast!” Patti’s twin brother, Paul, doesn’t understand how they are so different. He is so neat and clean, and her room is, well—a pig pen! “I can’t help if I’m a little untidy," pouts Patty. Anyway, who but Paul minds a little gum on the bed? I don’t have time to squabble with my brother. I need to plan my birthday party instead. When Paul funds out Patti is planning a slumber party for their birthday, he offers to help her clean her room. The twins learn a lesson about teamwork—and Patti learns that a clean room is worth the effort. Cindy Foust lives in West Monroe, Louisiana. She launched the Alpha-kidZ: Reading Adventures A-Z book series in

Confetti Park: A music medley from Louisiana... kids songs about dinosaurs! This medley of kids music shows the diversity of Louisiana musicians. And today's music medley features songs about dinosaurs! Songs featured in this episode, in order: When I Was a Dinosaur - Trout Fishing in America Joke of the Day - Pterodactyl Pee When I Was a Dinosaur - Chenille Sisters If a Dinosaur Was My Best Friend - Philip Melancon Dino Story - Louis Ray These Are the Dinosaurs - Judy Caplan Ginsburgh I Want a Dinosaur - Ph Fred A Myrtle Place - Zachary Richard and Lafayette Kids   Check out this narrated story about a dinosaur....  Lophi Learns to Fly by David Eugene Ray. The Confetti Park podcast and radio program, hosted by Katy Hobgood Ray, features music and stories spun in Louisiana. It showcases songs that kids love, songs created for kids, and songs created by kids. Sparkling interviews, in-studio performances, delightful music medleys, jokes, local author storytime, and a little surprise lagniappe make for an enter

Enjoy this music memory from Charlotte Hunter, who lives in Caddo Parish near Caddo Lake. Charlotte recalls how much she wanted a Gibson guitar when she was a teenager. “The first job I ever had was on a little radio station in Minden. I was fifteen. The guy told me if I would do a spot for him, every afternoon, that he buy that guitar for me….I had that radio show until I got my Gibson guitar….. we did mostly USO tours and airbases and things like that when we did gigs.” Charlotte recalls that as a child, her home was filled with music. He dad played the fiddle, and her mom played the guitar and bass.

In this episode of Confetti Park, we hear Louisiana children’s author Alysson Foti Bourque narrate her adorable award-winning book, Alycat and the Thursday Dessert Day. Alycat is an adorable kitten whose whole week has been spent daydreaming about dessert day at school, when she gets her favorite: ice-cream filled popsicles! Poor Alycat…. He daydreaming causes her to be last in line, and she misses out. After a little tantrum, Alycat has an epiphany. She realizes she can make her OWN dessert! Imagination saves the day. We love this book from Alysson Foti Bourque, of Sunset, Louisiana. It’s so fun to see Alycat grow, and her can-do spirit bounce back when she is disappointed. Alycat discovers that trying new things can lead to fun adventures and tasty inventions. The book contains sweet, delicate illustrations by Chiara Civati and a recipe for Alycat’s new dessert! It makes the reader want to try new things, too. :) Expect more from Alycat…. the next adventure in the series is Alycat and the Monday Blues! Buy

In this episode of Confetti Park, we meet some of the teachers and students at Arden Cahill Academy in Gretna, Louisiana, and hear some of the original poems and essays created by students in the seventh and eighth grades under teachers Nick and Rick Mithun. Nick Mithun teaches French, while Rick Mithun teaches history. They are the grandsons of Arden Cahill, the woman who founded the school in 1968 along with her husband, Harry. Currently there are four generations of Cahill family members involved at the school—the youngest just enrolled in the infant center. Arden Cahill envisioned an early childhood education center rooted in the arts, and rooted in Louisiana French culture, in a country-like atmosphere. The legacy of her dream is fulfilled today in a twelve-acre campus shaded with oak and cypress trees along Bayou Fatma in Gretna. At the back of campus, there is a country farmyard with animals that children interact with daily, and an equestrian arena with horseback riding lessons. Music, art, and theate

Confetti Park is a community radio program out of New Orleans. We feature local storytellers and songs that kids love, songs created for kids, or created by kids, inspired by life here Louisiana. This medley of kids music shows the diversity of our state sound. Songs featured in this episode, in order: Super Frog - Asylum Street Spankers Joke of the Day - Pink Carnation Daycare - Ph Fred There’s a Hole in the Bucket - Jeremy Lyons Inner Beauty - a poem by Marcus Page My Shoes -  a poem from The Pizza Poetry Project Swaying with the Trees - Johnette Downing Chicken Strut - The Meters Clapping Song - Confetti Park Players Also featured in this episode, a music memory from Cameron Meshell and the storytime feature Little Laveau, a magical bedtime story by Erin Rovin. The Confetti Park podcast and radio program, hosted by Katy Hobgood Ray, features music and stories spun in Louisiana. It showcases songs that kids love, songs created for kids, and songs created by kids. Sparkling interviews, in-studio performa

Confetti Park is a community radio program out of New Orleans. We feature local storytellers and songs that kids love, songs created for kids, or created by kids, inspired by life here Louisiana. This medley of kids music shows the diversity of our state sound. Songs featured in this episode, in order: When I Grow Up – Asylum Street Spankers Joke of the Day – Pirates on the Deck Watch out for the Pirates – Confetti Park Players Splish Splash – Dr. John Butterfly – a poem by Lily Bell Old Dan Tucker – Jeremy Lyons Hushabye Mountain – Lori Carsillo Lovely Little Ladybug – Confetti Park Players Eenie Meanie -a poem by Millie Moffett Bubblegum -a poem by Belen Walker Birdie -a poem by Virginia Strong Barefootin’ – Buckwheat Zydeco Also featured in this episode, a music memory from Foots Quinn of Bogalusa and the storytime feature Tale of a Spitball by Ms. Chocolate. The Confetti Park podcast and radio program, hosted by Katy Hobgood Ray, features music and stories spun in Louisiana. It showcases songs that k

Andreas Sahar, of New Orleans, is a musician, songwriter, and the artistic director of Totally Square Records.  In this interview with Confetti Park, Andreas talks about his record label, about his earliest childhood musical memories, and about nurturing a love for music within his own young children. Wimmerpot From Andreas’ childhood recollections is the enchanting nickname his grandmother gave him: “wimmerpot.” He discusses this nickname in the interview... and from his website: “My grandmother made up the word," explains Andreas. "Roughly translated from German, her moniker for me was something along the lines of “stewing teapot,” a reference to the constant humming I did while playing with my Legos or train sets. At four years old, music was already brewing inside my head, escaping in bouts of sonorous steam while I fiddled with my toys.” More from his website Totally Square Records Andreas discusses with Confetti Park the unique concept behind Totally Square Records, which features pop and pop rock

“Follow me to the garden! Let’s check out the magic of nature!” Rosemary the Garden Fairy shares gardening tips and natural lore with children. How does your garden grow? All seeds need water to sprout. Sometimes rain waters the garden. You can also collect rain, in a rain barrel, to make sure you have it at exactly the right time you need it. Irrigation systems are another way to get the water to the plants in a garden or farm. After the seeds sprout, the vegetable plants or seedlings needs the right amount of sunlight. Most need six to eight hours a day. Other important things that will help your garden grow… keep an eye out for pests, like caterpillars and other bugs who like to eat the plants. Compost and fertilize when needed, and pick the vegetables when they are ripe and ready!

Mike Strecker is a stand-up comedian who has been performing in the New Orleans area since 1995. And now, he is a published book author. Mike recently released two volumes of jokes, Young Comic’s Guide to Telling Jokes Vol. 1 and 2, which are nationally distributed by Sterling Children's Books. “The way it came about… my wife’s a school teacher, and I have a habit of coming up with these corny little jokes. And she would say, ‘You have to write these down; kids love these kids of books.’ So I wound up writing them down, and sure enough, I sent them away and a publisher wanted  to publish them.” “First I wrote 150 jokes—I figured that would make one volume. Little did I know!,” laughs Mike. “I sent it away, and they said, ‘Yes, we like this. But we want to make two volumes of 600 jokes each.’” Whew! That’s a lot of jokes! Mike rose to challenge, and spent the next few months torturing his wife and kids with experimental puns and word play. “I have to say, the experience was pure joy,” says Mike. “Somedays I’d

Confetti Park is a community radio program out of New Orleans. We feature local storytellers and songs that kids love, songs created for kids, or created by kids, right here in Louisiana. This medley of kids music shows the diversity of Louisiana musicians. Songs featured in this episode, in order: Woody, Lead Belly & Pete – Ph Fred Pig Latin Song – Lead Belly Woodpecker – a poem by Nola Frazier Lost in the Library – Judy Caplan Ginsburgh O’Guillori – Michael Doucet This Old Man – The Swing Setters Goodbye in the Bayou – Jazzy Ash Also featured in this episode, a music memory from Layla Isis and a story called Dixie the Old Dog by Tommie Townsley. _________________ The Confetti Park podcast and radio program, hosted by Katy Hobgood Ray, features music and stories spun in Louisiana. It showcases songs that kids love, songs created for kids, and songs created by kids. Sparkling interviews, in-studio performances, delightful music medleys, jokes, local author storytime, and a little surprise lagniappe make f

In this episode of Confetti Park, we hear an excerpt from the enchanting fairy tale To Dream of Dancing: Desdemona's Dreams, Volume 1. Z.W. (Zachary) Mohr, the author, narrates for us a dream poem and an introduction to Desdemona. This is an excerpt from the first book in his original series co-created with illustrator Aaron Damon Porter. Desdemona is an 11 year old girl who is being raised by her two mysterious aunts and guardian teddy bear. When we first meet Desdemona, she is battling a mad maestro who wants to steal away her dream of dancing. When she awakes, her adventures continue….. From this introduction, we, along with Desdemona, will discover she can bring her dreams into the waking world at a time when everyone else is forgetting how to dream. Many more chapters of Desdemona's Dreams are to come from New Orleans-based co-creators Mohr and Porter. Currently, there is To Dream of Dancing: Desdemona's Dreams, Volume 1 and The Land of Mar: Desdemona's Dreams, Volume 2. The second book features pir