Roger Daltrey of The Who and friends have a ‘Doggone’ good time in this new title in the award-winning series. Mango, Papaya, Coco and all their friends are back for a brand new musical adventure aboard the jolly yellow bus as they larn the importance of sharing, taking turns and getting along. They also learn the Fairies’ Golden Rule—if you are nice to others, then they will be nice to you! PorchLight.com $14.98
KC Leads the Country in Kids’ Entertainment
When the rest of the country thinks of Kansas City, what’s the first thing that comes to their minds? Amazing barbecue, juicy rib-eye steaks, beautiful fountains, friendly people. They would be right on all accounts. What they might not think of now, but probably will in the very near future, is Kansas City’s children’s entertainment scene.
Kansas City has slowly become a hub for kids’ music performers. As witnessed last month at the first annual Jiggle Jam at Crown Center, Kansas City’s entertainers are talented, diverse and plentiful.
Jim Cosgrove, a.k.a Mr. Stinky Feet, is one of the founders of this movement. After spending years in the business world, Cosgrove started performing at family functions for his nieces and nephews.
“They liked my music, so I started playing some gigs at a local book store,” said Cosgrove. “Some of the parents in the audience asked if I had a CD of my music. I recorded ‘Bop Bop Dinosaur’ with a few of my friends in a garage studio thinking that it would be a one-time thing.”
Cosgrove now has seven CDs and two DVDs. He’s performed all over North America – including two dates at The White House – and in four European countries.
“I’ve been averaging about 300 shows per year for the past few years,” said Cosgrove. “Who knew it would lead to this?”
Cosgrove has acted as a mentor to many of the new acts in Kansas City and is interested in raising the profiles of all of KC’s performers.
“Jim has been particularly good to us and has a great vision of bringing the KC kids’ music scene the national attention it deserves,” said Mike Niewald from The Doo-Dads.
The Doo-Dads, Niewald, Matt Kesler, Joe Gose and Ken Lovern, four dads from Johnson County, are all musicians that have been playing in various bands for the past 25 years.
“When we started having children of our own, we naturally progressed to writing and playing music for kids,” said Niewald. “Now, our kids, affectionately known as The Doo-Drops, sing on all of our records.”
The Doo-Dads, like most of these groups, hope the kids in their audiences will find joy in the music at their shows.
“We have a ton of fun bringing the rock concert experience to our audience,” said Niewald. “We hope our honest and positive approach has a positive effect on the children that hear our music.”
Krista “Funky Mama” Eyler started performing in 2005 after she saw a niche that needed to be filled.
“After I had my first son, I saw that there were some great “dad” acts out there, but no Funky Mamas,” said Eyler.
Eyler had been a singer in musical theater and played guitar since she was 15.
“Theatrical rock and roll comes naturally to me,” said Eyler. “My show is a jump-up-and-dance act. The main thing that I want to teach kids is to love music and dancing with their whole hearts.”
And Eyler’s act could soon become a family affair. “My four-year-old son knows every one of my songs by heart and sings along with great pitch!”
Eyler, like fellow performer Dino O’Dell, was inspired when she was growing up by Sesame Street.
“I watched Sesame Street , The Electric Company and Mr. Rogers when I was young,” said O’Dell. “I was one of those kids that were frustrated when nobody on the show could see Snuffleupagus other than Big Bird.”
And it would seem that O’Dell’s natural curiosity led to his career as a kids’ entertainer and song writer.
“I love the music of Joni Mitchell. Her lyric ‘Ice cream castles in the air’ was a preschooler’s poetic inspiration,” said O’Dell. “At five years old, ice cream, castles and anything flying in the air are intriguing.”
O’Dell now performs with his band The Veloci-Rappers in the Midwest and in the Pacific Northwest where he grew up.
“I began composing musicals at a children’s theater in Seattle when I was a teenager,” said O’Dell. “Walking home from school in Seattle inspired my song ‘Puddle Jumper.'”
And in keeping with the friendly spirit of Kansas City, O’Dell and his fellow performers have nothing but praise for each other.
“I enjoy watching all of the KC acts,” said O’Dell. “Funky Mama is a great singer. Mr. Stinky Feet has non-stop energy, and The Doo-Dads rock.”
Eyler returns the compliment. “Dino O’Dell is a wonderful storyteller, and a fabulous guitar man. All of the KC acts bring something musically special for children and their families.”
All of these acts perform around the country, but still make time to perform regularly in the KC area. To find when the entertainers are performing near you, visit their web sites.
Funky Mama
FunkyMamaMusic.com
What’s your inspiration?
My kids, nieces and nephews are always providing me with new material. I also get great ideas from my mommy friends and the moms at my shows.
Who were your favorite entertainers when you were growing up?
Julie Andrews, Judy Garland and Elvis
What’s coming up for you?
I’m releasing my third CD “Moo Juice” in September.
Dino O’Dell and the Veloci-Rappers
DinoODell.com
What did you do before performing children’s music?
I taught music at Brookside Day School and worked as a professional musician with various Kansas City bands. I was lucky to work in a variety of styles including Dixieland, reggae and the blues.
Does your family get in on the act?
No family yet, but I just got engaged…so…we’ll see. I’m a celebrity at family reunions because my Mom gives my CD to every newborn in the extended O’Dell clan.
The Doo-Dads
TheDooDads.com
Where can Kansas Citians see you?
We play a regular early “family show” at The Record Bar in midtown. Our songs are played on XM Kids Radio. “Mama Be Right Back” off our new CD “Rock and Roll!” reached number four after 11 consecutive weeks on the “13 under 13” chart.
What’s your inspiration?
The shared experience of children and their parents enjoying our music together.
Mr. Stinky Feet and the Hiccups
JimCosgrove.com
What’s your inspiration?
My own kids, my nieces and nephews and kids in general. Plus, I get a lot of inspiration from the kid who lives inside my brain.
Does your family get in on the act?
My wife, Jeni, and our two daughters travel almost everywhere with me. Jeni books my shows, our three-year-old likes to sing with me on stage, and my brother is my business manager.
More Great KC Kids’ Entertainers
Miss Jackie – “the godmother of KC kids’ music” – JackieSilberg.com
Bongo Barry – “master percussionist – Unity with a Beat” – HealthySounds.com
Anne Meeker Miller – “music to help you communicate with your baby” – LoveLanguageForBabies.com
Teacher and the Rockbots & the Blankies – “rock and roll for kids” – PowerArtsCompany.com
Donna Schwartze is a freelance writer living in Prairie Village.
The Modern Mom’s Guide to Dads
The Modern Mom’s Guide to Dads
Ten Secrets Your Husband Won’t Tell You
By Hogan Hilling and Jesse Jayne Rutherford (Cumberland House)
Hogan Hilling has been conducting marital enrichment workshops for fathers across the country for 15 years, and he’s heard it all. This book is full of thoughtful insights about what new dads are thinking, and how wives can get their husbands more involved in their kids’ lives and the household without nagging. The National Parenting Publications Awards named this book a 2008 Gold Award recipient. CumberlandHouse.com $16.95
Special Kind of Day CD
Rebecca Frezza and her seven-piece band, Big Truck, often perform on PBS Kids and the Noggin Channel and have recently released their fourth CD. It features thirteen brand new songs that offer their fans a wonderful variety of music styles that will keep you rolling through the seasons with songs like “The Snow Shoe Shuffle,” “Leaves are Falling,” and “Summer Sunshine.” Available at Amazon.com. $14.99
Great Book Series to Explore this Summer
Well, summer is finally here! You may have already signed your kids up for camps, sports, and the pool, but in case there’s a bit of “down time” for them, here are some wonderful books in a series. Get them hooked on these titles and you’ll keep them reading through the summer!
Catwings, A Catwings Tale Series , by Ursula K. Le Guin (Scholastic). This sweet series is great for readers just beginning chapter books. Four slim volumes with classic pictures reminiscent of Garth Williams and Beatrix Potter, the Catwings are siblings who have left the dangerous city in search of a safe place to live. Ages 4-8.
Artemis Fowl, by Eoin Colfer (Hyperion). A five book series, with a possible sixth and a movie option, this series is for boys who like spies, computers and 12-year-old criminal masterminds! Colfer is a former middle school computer teacher, and he knows all the tricks. In the first book, we are introduced to Fowl and his bodyguard/manservant Butler, along with a few other interesting characters who appear throughout the series. Ages 8-12.
Clementine’s Letter, by Sara Pennypacker (Hyperion). Although Clementine has been stirring up well-meaning trouble in the hallways for awhile now, her newest adventure (number 3) has been available since April 2008. Readers love this girl’s unique voice and personality. Parents will love the special relationship she has with her third grade teacher. Ages 6-10.
The Lightning Thief, by Rick Riordan (Hyperion/Miramax). This is the first book of the Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series , with the hero starting out not knowing his divine powers. Percy is half Harry Potter and, frankly, half Greek God! The 4th book in the Percy Jackson series, The Battle of the Labyrinth, came out in May 2008.
Ages 9+.
Goose Girl, by Shannon Hale (Bloomsbury). This series starts out with Princess Ani, who flees for her life after the betrayal of her closest friend on the journey to the home of her future husband. She can only survive by living as a “goose girl” in this foreign country until her true identity is revealed. It is a romantic story of love, loyalty and persistence, with a little magic thrown in. The characters you meet in Goose Girl become central figures in two additional books by Hale. Ages 8-14.
And why not try a trip to the library on a sweltering afternoon? Your young children will love getting their own library card. You never know what you might find, and there’s usually a great video section too!
Julie Hubble lives in Leawood and is the mother of two. She is well stocked with flashlight batteries for late night reading.
Goldilocks Parents Find the Right Balance
We’ve all heard stories of so-called helicopter parents, the moms and dads who hover over their children’s lives. They write their kids’ papers, and then challenge teachers when they don’t like the grade. These are the overly involved parents who push uninterested kids into violin lessons or lacrosse because it will look good on a college application.
Although they’re in the minority, the concept of helicopter parents has gone mainstream, making the cover of Time magazine and the pages of the New York Times. Judging by the headlines, you’d think there are only two kinds of parents, those who constantly hover over their kids and those who completely slack off on the job. But between these extremes are lots of parents who actively support their children without going overboard. Call them Goldilocks parents-they do things just right.
Goldilocks parents know that their involvement in school is important to their kids’ success, but realize that helping kids too much can actually hold them back. While helicopter parents may do their kids’ homework for them, Goldilocks parents expect their kids to do the work, but offer their help when it’s needed.
Kids gain confidence and become more self-reliant when they handle things on their own, whether it’s figuring out math problems or resolving playground conflicts. While helicopter parents fixate on getting their children into elite colleges, Goldilocks parents realize that kids also need to learn the life skills to make it on their own someday.
Whether its baseball or ballet, taking part in extracurricular activities is a great way for kids to have fun and develop new skills. Too often, helicopter parents fill up their kids’ schedules with activities, leaving children with little time to play or pursue their own interests. Goldilocks parents let kids be kids and look for creative ways to incorporate learning into summer fun.
When it comes to homework, kids of course need help sometimes. But if you’re talking your child through every math problem or taking over the science fair project, you’re going too far. Goldilocks parents make sure kids have the resources they need to complete assignments, and then step back while their kids do it.
Helping out at school is a great way to show you care about education, but like any volunteer role, it shouldn’t take over your life. Instead of overextending themselves, Goldilocks parents find ways to help out that fit into their schedules, even if it’s just an hour here or there.
With the constant complaints about minor issues and disputes over poor grades, it’s no wonder teachers dread conversations with helicopter parents. Instead of telling teachers how to do their job, Goldilocks parents open lines of communication and offer their help, not criticism.
The temptation to become a helicopter parent can be strong. When you think you might be doing too much, consider whether the task is something your kids can do on their own, and if it is, let them do it. Your kids need your support and encouragement, but the last thing they need is a parent hovering over them each step of the way. Instead, be like Goldilocks parents, and find the course that’s just right.
Goldilocks Traits
Follow these tips and you’ll be on your way to becoming a Goldilocks parent.
Helping with homework: Provide guidance, not answers. If your child gets frustrated, suggest a short break.
Talking with teachers: Communicate anything that might affect your child’s performance-strengths and weaknesses, learning style, family issues and behavior problems. Form a partnership with the teacher to help your child.
Scheduling activities: If you think your child might be overscheduled, evaluate each activity with these questions: Does he enjoy it? Do you? Is it being done out of habit? Because everyone else is doing it? What does the activity accomplish?
Tim Sullivan is founder and president of PTO Today, Inc. a recognized leader in all aspects of parent involvement in schools.