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John Langstaff's 'Frog Went A-Courtin' earned recognition and a Caldecott Medal in 1956. |
THIS TIME OF YEAR, as the
The Revels, described as a combination of "the holy and the wild," mixes Christmas carols with traditional music, dance and rituals from around the world. This year's program in Washington focused on northern cultures, incorporating the ancient Abbots Bromley horn dance from England with creation myths from the ancient Finnish Kalevala and a retelling of "The Three Billy Goats Gruff." Audience participation, glorious music and a sprinkling of low humor make the Revels an annual tradition for many families.
Langstaff loved connecting children with music, not just in the Revels but in the two dozen children's books he wrote. "Frog Went A-Courtin" is one of the best known, winning the Caldecott Medal in 1956. Frog rides his horse to mouse's hall, where he asks Miss Mousie to marry him. "Without my Uncle Rat's consent, I would not marry the president!" she retorts, in a verse that clearly shows the American contribution to this 500-year-old song. But Uncle Rat agrees to the union and the couple are married, holding their wedding breakfast in a hollow tree and feeding the guests three green beans and a black-eyed pea.
Feodor Rojankovsky illustrates the song with bright colors and a cartoonlike cheerfulness that makes every animal wedding guest--even the big black bug--endearing. This is a favorite for chanting, singing and reciting with children of all ages.
Another old favorite, "Oh, A-Hunting We Will Go," lends itself to the invention of endless new verses. "Oh, a-hunting we will go, a-hunting we will go, we'll catch a little fox and put him in a box, and then we'll let him go!" Additional verses feature a lamb, a goat, and a whale, among others. When we catch a bear "and put him in underwear," your young audience is sure to collapse in gales of giggles.
Langstaff compiled two collections of African-American spirituals, both illustrated by artist and poet Ashley Bryan. "Climbing Jacob's Ladder, Heroes of the Bible in African-American Spirituals," offers nine traditional songs about Noah, Abraham, Jonah and Ezekiel. "What a Day! The Christmas Story in Black Spirituals" won a Coretta Scott King Honor award for Bryan's jewel-toned illustrations. Both collections offer accessible introductions to the rich heritage of African-American music.
Teachers and parents can learn to involve children in music through Langstaff's videos, recordings and books. "Making Music," co-authored with Ann Sayre Wiseman, shows families how to make their own music from pots and pans, egg beaters, milk cartons, and even their own bodies. Rhythm is the emphasis, but music made on a shepherd's pipe and even a saw can be found here, too.
"Jim Along, Josie," billed as "A Collection of Folk Songs and Singing Games for Young Children," is a terrific resource for preschool teachers and child care providers. Many of the songs are well known--"Hush-a-bye Baby," "This Old Man"--while others deserve to be. Children can skip, creep, and act out the verses in these traditional songs collected from Europe and America.
Farewell, John Langstaff, and thank you for making such good music for so many years with so many people.
You can phone CAROLINE PARR, coordinator of children's services for Central Rappahannock Regional Library, at 540/372-1160 or e-mail her at
Email: cparr@crrl.org.
