Reading Rocks - Singing Storytime with Johnette Downing!

Multi-award-winning New Orleans singer/songwriter, children's musician, and children's book author Johnette Downing gets kids jazzed about reading with her 10th studio CD, Reading Rocks!

Reading Rocks is Johnette Downings first album that combines both her passion with children's stories and music. A mix of old school storytelling and jazz, it has deep roots in Louisiana rhythm. There are five stories spoken on the CD, each read from Johnette's beloved children's books. Her newest, Why the Possum Has a Large Grin had just come out this fall! There are eleven songs on the album ranging from blues to rock, all weaved together to motivate children to read and visit the library - which I love!

Johnette Downing has been creating music and stories since 1990, but alongside that she has also traveled the world teaching parents how to foster a love of reading through music. Her most simple advice actually holds a great deal of wisdom, "If you want your children to read, read."




I love the concept of a CD that both tells a story as well as offers creative, beautiful music that is all at once relaxing and exciting, with soothing tones to dancing rhythms. Johnette Downing has created an incredible collection with her own original works. At points you could close your eyes and imagine the various bright hues and illustrations of the stories and my tot loved to hop around when the beat started really moving. I think this CD would also go well if you had the stories she was telling. My tot always loves to listen to stories while holding the books, it's a wonderful idea for the Holidays to get a collection!
Reading Rocks includes the tracks:

• Reading Rocks! 
• Open a Book Finger Play 
• Today is Monday in Kentucky 
• Why the Oyster Has the Pearl 
• Oyster Limerick 
• R*E*A*D 
• Story Time 
• The Colors of the Sky 
• Why the Crawfish Lives in the Mud 
• Reach Every Achievement Desired 
• There Once Was a Boy Named Cary 
• Read to Me 
• Principal's Desk 
• Why the Possum Has a Large Grin 
• Readers are Leaders 
• Today is Monday in New York 
• Do-do (Sleep) My Child

You can also visit her website which includes Johnette TV & Johnette Radio! You can read interviews and stories on Johnette's Blog as well as read lyrics, check out the store and see where she is playing live next!

Connect: You can connect with Johnette Downing on her Facebook Page and/or @JohnetteMusic on Twitter!

Purchase: You can purchase Reading Rocks for $15.00 in her store. There is also an option to purchase individual tracks, which is great if you have certain books you might want to correspond with the music!