Yes Virginia there is a Santa Claus and NORAD is tracking his every move

'Santa Claus' CC.2.0

For more than 50 years, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and its predecessor, Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD) have tracked Santa Claus on his Christmas Eve flight, providing Santa, his reindeer, and sleigh, safe and unimpeded air space over North America and Canada, while sharing information with children about Santa’s minute-by-minute progress around the globe.

 

NORAD is staffed by the good folks who keep our skies safe, 24 hours a day, seven days week with radar and intercept aircraft, and this time of year they also invite you to their NORAD Tracks Santa web site where you can keep an eye on Santa’s Christmas flight right along with them in real time.

At the NORAD site, children, parents and caregivers will see video images from the “Santa Cams” that have been pre-positioned around the world to catch glimpses of Santa, the reindeer and his sleigh.

You’ll also track Santa by downloading a free application of Google Earth, available from the NORAD web site, as well as following Santa's progress on NORAD’s Facebook and Twitter pages.

NORAD provides some fun and games during the countdown at "Santa’s Village," where you click on any shop in the village, and find an interesting activity that is inside each of the different buildings.

There are also special pages where you’ll see and hear Santa read the Night Before Christmas in a pre-recorded video, and learn lots of interesting facts about the big guy in red, everything from his sleigh’s technical data to how he gets down a chimney.

For Santa skeptics there is even a page where you can listen to the reading of a real letter, which was written to a newspaper in 1897 by eight-year-old Virginia O’Hanlon, questioning the existence of Santa, and hear the newspaper editor’s touching and thoughtful reply.

Information about appropriate “Santa Snacks” to leave out for the main man, and pages about NORAD – "why" they track Santa and details on how the tracking is actually done are available.

The NORAD Tracks Santa website is a non-profit organization funded solely through corporate donations, and is fully staffed by an all-volunteer crew who love children, Christmas, and honor the memory of Colonel Harry Shoup, (Retired) USAF, who by serendipity in 1955, became NORAD’s very first Santa Tracker.

While you and your little one are waiting for Santa, below is this year’s adorable video pick, “Santa and Baby (Santa’s Little Helper Song)” by award-winning songwriter, performer and educator, Debbie Cavalier and her band Debbie and Friends.

Cavalier’s YouTube channel explains: "Baby" is a little dog with big dreams! She wants to be Santa's little helper and her friend "Lady" helps make that dream come true.

The groove is inspired by the Spin Doctors (Yeah!) ! The story is inspired by one of the cutest dogs we've ever met named Baby. And, the message for this Christmas song is about giving, helping friends, and taking steps to make your dreams come true.”

Since 2009, this post, which originally appeared in my column on Examiner.com, has become a tradition with my readers, and it was once again my pleasure to bring it you, dusting it off a bit and providing some updates along with this year’s very special cartoon video from Debbie and Friends. 

It is my hope that this is shared with the child or children who are important in your life. 

With very best wishes for the happiest of holidays and a New Year filled with many blessings to you and yours. 

I will be back in the first week of the New Year with a very special announcement.

The Book Report: Sharing the latest in books, apps and literary marketplace news

"Books" by Paula Slade

In this week’s edition of the “Book Report”, we’ll be focusing solely on 42 top-selling children’s picture books that have been expertly translated into video format and presented on three differently themed DVD sets. These collections are designed to come to life on the small screen and entertain as well as reinforce reading skills.

All three of the DVD sets that are featured below, are part of the Scholastic Storybook Treasures™ line, and bear the hallmark of quality from the Scholastic Corporation, the world’s largest publisher/distributor of children’s books in addition to being a leader in educational technology and children’s media.

Each picture book adaptation is produced by the award-winning Weston Woods Studios, a division of Scholastic Media, and is distributed to the public by New Video.

The production values for these DVDs are of the highest quality; each book is presented with music, professional narration, and inviting camera work, which frequently includes animation. Illustrations have been extracted from the original books, which proved over time to be beloved children’s classics.

All of the stories help reinforce emerging reading skills with a special embedded read-along function, which is presented with the visuals and narration.

To explore each book’s title and storyline presented within these collections, simply click on the links that are provided.

BOOKS ON DVD

MY FIRST COLLECTION FEATURING SPLAT THE CAT

This 3-DVD set runs 1 hour and 40 minutes, and includes “extras,” and features 14 stories that have won more than 15 awards, including the Caldecott Medal, NAPPA Gold, and American Library Association Notable Books.

Designed to encourage toddlers to give reading a try, this collection also supports the key concepts of friendship and cooperation - perfect for children ages 2 to 6.

Professionally narrated by Catherine O’Hara, Laura Dern, Tim Curray and Mary Beth Hurt, the DVD includes an interview with Splat the Cat Author/Illustrator Rob Scotton, and a Spanish version of The Story About Ping.

The suggested retail price for MY FIRST COLLECTION FEATURING SPLAT THE CAT is $24.95.  Amazon.com currently has this set available for  $12.49 with best pricing through Amazon Marketplace for $4.83.

The storybooks presented in this DVD are the following:

Splat the Cat;    Hondo & Fabian;    Picnic;    Leo the Late Bloomer;    The Story About Ping;    Goose;    The Most Wonderful Egg in the World;    Duck on a Bike;    Rosie’s Walk;    The Napping House;    Each Peach Pear Plum;    Drummer Hoff;    Bear Snores On, and  Wild About Books.

 

GOOD NIGHT GORILLA…AND MORE WACKY ANIMAL ADVENTURES

This DVD 3-Discs set features a rollicking mix of amazing animal stories, monsters that are friendly and creatures that come to life, and represents Caldecott and Newbury Honor-winning books, and an ALA Notable Video as well as an Oppenheim Gold DVD Award.

The collection of stories supports the theme of science and the skill of cooperation and is recommended for children ages 4 to 10.

The 16 different stories are celebrity narrated by such notables as: Anthony Edwards, Mary Beth Hurt, Elle Fanning, and Lynn Whitfield.

The set runs 2 hours and 40 minutes and includes the following “extras”: Spanish versions of Danny and the Dinosaur, The Day Jimmy’s Boa Ate the Wash, Doctor De Soto, and Joey Runs Away.  There also are interviews with Author Robin Page and Illustrator Steven Jenkins, and an interview with First the Egg Author Laura Vaccaro Seeger.

The suggested retail price for GOOD NIGHT GORILLA…AND MORE WACKY ANIMAL ADVENTURES is $24.95 and may be pre-ordered directly through New Video, and will be shipped upon date of release, which is June 28, 2011.

The storybooks presented in this DVD are the following:

Good Night Gorillla;    Happy Birthday Moon;    The Napping House;    The Rainbabies;    Zin! Zin! Zin! A Violin;    Elizabeth’s Doll;    Danny and the Dinosaur;    The Island of Skog;    T is for Terrible;    Stanley and the Dinosaurs;    The Day Jimmy’s Boa Ate the Wash;    Doctor De Soto;    Flossie and the Fox;    First the Egg;    What Do You Do With a Tail Like This?  and  Joey Runs Away.

 

I’M DIRTY & I STINK!

Fun, action and adventure tales about trucks, trash, boats and bikes in this 2-Disc DVD set with running time of two hours and four minutes, which includes Caldecott Honor, Publisher’s Weekly and ALA Notable Award-winning titles.

The set features 12 stories, an interview with I’m Dirty author and illustrator Kate and Jim McMullan, and an interview with Fletcher and the Falling leaves author Julia Rawlinson, along with celebrity narration by Andy Richter, Forest Whitaker, and Steve Buscemi.

The DVD set supports the understanding of science and nature and highlights the concept of responsibility – a good choice for children ages 3 to 10.

The suggested retail price for I’M DIRTY & I STINK! is $19.95 and may be pre-ordered directly through New Video, and will be shipped upon date of release, which is June 28, 2011.

The storybooks presented in this DVD are the following:

I Stink!    Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel;    Trashy Town;    The Remarkable Riderless Runaway Tricycle;    The Beast of Monsieur Racine;    Arnie the Doughnut;    I’m Dirty!    Burt Dow: Deep Water Man;    The Paperboy;    Stars! Stars! Stars!    Fletcher and the Falling Leaves and  Johnny Appleseed.

Musical Notes: Music industry news and releases for children and teens

‘Playing Guitar’ photo by Petr Kratochvil

Welcome to “Musical Notes,” this weekly column is dedicated solely to music. Like our Friday “Popcorn Report,” which features the latest information on movies, this post highlights current news and announcements in the music industry, and introduces you to the best of everything in CDs, music videos, games, instruments and upcoming performances for children, teens and families. Be sure to check back each Thursday.

LIVE PERFORMANCES AND EVENTS

On Friday, March 11, 2011 at 7:30 p.m., that energizing and fun duo from Okalahoma, the Sugar Free Allstars bring their grooving mix of music and beats to the McKinney Performing Arts Center (at the Historic Collin County Courthouse) 111 N. Tennessee, McKinney, TX 75069.

Families will enjoy everything from New Orleans funk and Memphis soul to rock and roll.

General Admission $11.50 adults; $9.50 seniors 55+/students 13+; and $6.50 for children under 12- Tickets are available online or by calling (214)-544-4630.

Below is a music video of the song “Cars and Trucks” from their latest album release, FUNKY FRESH AND SUGAR FREE.





In celebration of the new release, WHEELS ON THE BUS, Groove Kid Nation is hosting a charitable fund raising event and CD release party Sunday, March 13 at 4 p.m. (doors open at 3:30 p.m.) at Capoeira Besouro Studio, 2901 Ocean Park Ave. #103, Santa Monica, CA 90405, Telephone: 310.314.2617

WHEELS ON THE BUS features the incredibly fun and funky music for today’s generation performed by Rodney Lee on keyboards, Fred Clark on guitar, Katisse Buckingham on sax and flute, Andre Berry on Bass, Satnam Ramgotra on percussion, and Jeff Robinson on vocals.

One Hundred percent of the proceeds of this event will benefit The YWCA Family Cooperative Preschool at the YWCA Santa Monica/Westside.

Patrons will receive one FREE CD with the minimum suggested donation of $25 per family or $15 per single person. Additional CDs will be available for $15 each.

Take a look at the adorable video below that features the song “The Itsy Bitsy Spider,” one of the tracks from WHEELS ON THE BUS.

MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

Kinder Harp
One of the loveliest sounds for making gentle, almost ethereal music comes from a Kinder Harp, which is also known as a Kinder Lyre.

The beautiful sound this instrument produces is primarily because it is set in the five-note pentatonic scale: d' e' g' a' b' d' e'.

Young children studying at Waldorf Schools are introduced to the calming musical properties of this unique instrument at a very early age.

The video below from demonstrates the finely crafted Choroi Pentatonic Kinderharp, which retails online through Bellaluna Toys for $99.95.

MUSIC APPS

KIBOOMU
Some of the first songs that parents and caregivers share with the child in their lives are “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star,” “Old Mac Donald” and the “ABC” song, and now all three of these toddler top hits are available in apps for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad from the Montreal based company, KIBOOMU.

Co-founded by entrepreneurs Wendy Wiseman and Sherry Segal, KIBOOMU launched as a company in January 2010 and has established a strong following from their website.

These music apps have a variety of play modes in addition to being colorful, engaging and educational. All three apps are available for $0.99 each from iTunes.

The video below does fine job of explaining the multiple features for the “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star” app.

CD

Beethoven's Wig 4: Dance Along Symphonies
Getting children and teens interested in listening to classical music is sometimes a daunting task, but not with the multi-award-winning CD series, Beethoven’s Wig.

In this fourth installment from Rounder Records, one again finds some of the world’s most beautiful instrumental music expertly performed, and as an added bonus (in a separate version) paired with delightful rib-tickling lyrics.

A five star entertainment winner for the entire family, the full CD comes with a booklet that includes not only the lyrics but trivia questions and activities.

All 24 tracks are available to sound sample and download at iTunes or Amazon.com for $0.99 per track.

Best pricing for the entire MP3 album is $9.49 through Amazon.com.

Best price for the actual CD with booklet is currently through Amazon Marketplace for $9.79.

ONLINE VIDEO

Something special for St. Paddy’s Day was delivered online by popular children’s recording artist/entertainer DidiPop (aka Deborah Poppink Hirshland).

Hirshland says, “My daughters asked me to explain St. Patrick's Day. I was a bit stumped, so I checked out a book from Delilah's elementary school library (which was really fun), read it and wrote this song for them. Please enjoy it here and share it with your friends:”

Below is the catchy song “Potatoes and Cabbage,” which is actually a full history of St. Patrick's Day in less than 1 1/2 minutes! Enjoy, and be sure to share with the child in your life.