Folk Singers
Rationale: I have a struggle with myself whenever a student requests information about an entertainer. So many entertainers come and go so quickly that I don’t like to spend my limited money for books about a pop star. However, when it comes to stars who have stood the test of time like these folk singers, I’ll expend some funds because I know their influence will continue. Even titles about established musicians come and go quickly. In fact, the Odetta Inspiration Book for this My Books Alive entry is already out of print. Since there are no replacements, and if you already have it in your collection, hang on to it.
When it comes to pop stars, I direct students to learn about their faves online. Online sources provide another problem: inappropriate sites with inappropriate photos for children. The result, I make a list of sites, make a hotlinked page or a Wiki, and make those websites accessible for students. I encourage students to tell me about new favorite stars so I can easily update the page(s). I periodically, review the sites--they do change--or ask a volunteer to review the sites and even look for new ones. This is a great volunteer project that the volunteer can even work on at home.
The second way I handle popular entertainers is borrowing from the public library. I maintain good connections with the public library, and have even worked at our local library as a substitute. The public librarian often purchases the most recent books about entertainers of all kinds. I borrow them, or at the least, make a list of those books for my students to check-out from the public library. Our public library has a wonderful reserve/hold system that I frequently use.
The musicians in the featured books have stood the test of time and continue to have followers. They also provide an historical look at folk music. Included in the Related Book list are also several books about stringed instruments including guitars.
Inspiration Books:
When Bob met Woody by Golio, Gary — Little, Brown, 2011--782.42164; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 5.6 Illustrations and lyrical text follows a kid from rural Minnesota who grows up, changes his name to Bob Dylan, and leaves home to pursue his love for music in New York City. FREE Teaching Resources available for download from Follett.com
AND
Woody Guthrie : poet of the people by Christensen, Bonnie — Dragonfly Books, c2001 p2009--782.42162; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 5.5Offers a brief introduction to the life and work of American poet Woody Guthrie. NCSS List
AND
Odetta, the queen of folk by Alcorn, Stephen — Scholastic Press, 2010--782.42162; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 4.9 Stephen Alcorn draws on personal dialogue with Odetta to describe the life and career of the American folksinger.
Teacher Resources :
Video Book Trailer for Forever Young http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYWqNgfrdls
Check YouTube for Odetta performances. There are several strong renditions of folk songs and blues.
Library of Congress’s The American Folklife Center http://www.loc.gov/folklife/index.html
FREE Teaching Resources for When Bob Met Woody available for download from Follett.com. This resource has some good research ideas about folk music and folk musicians.
Related Books:
Also, remember to look for picture books featuring individual folk songs.
Passing the music down by Sullivan, Sarah — Candlewick Press, c2010 p2011. Read Along--E-; Int Lvl: K-3; Rd Lvl: 2.7 A boy and his family befriend a country fiddler, who teaches the boy all about playing the old tunes, which the boy promises to help keep alive. Inspired by Melvin Wine and Jake Krack. NCTE List 2011
When Paul met Artie : the story of Simon & Garfunkel by Neri, Greg — Candlewick Press, 2018 782.42166; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 4.3. Tells, in verse, the story of how Paul Simon and Art Garfunkel met as teenagers in Queens and learned to write songs and harmonize together.
Who is Bob Dylan? by O'Connor, Jim — Grosset & Dunlap, 2013--782.42164; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 5.0 An illustrated biography of Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Bob Dylan. FREE Teaching Resources for the “Who Was…” series available for download from Follett.com
Stringed instruments by Ganeri, Anita, 1961- — Saunders Book, 2012--787; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 5.1 Stringed instruments -- The violin family -- Cello and double bass -- Folk fiddle -- Harp -- Lute -- Shamisen and balalaika -- Indian lutes -- Guitar -- Ukelele and banjo -- Zither and vina -- Koto -- Dulcimer -- Words to remember. Describes various stringed instruments from around the world including familiar instruments such as the guitar and violin, along with other traditional instruments such as the Japanese Koto and Indian lutes.
American folk songs for children in home, school and nursery school : a book for children, parents and teachers by Seeger, Ruth Crawford, 1901-1953 — Oak Publications ,U.S. distributor Music Sales Corp., c1948 p2002--782.42162; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 5.2 Contains the music and words for over ninety folk songs for children including ballads, spirituals, blues, and singing games.
Forever young by Dylan, Bob, 1941- — Atheneum Books for Young Readers, c2001 p2008--782.42164; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 5.5 Bob Dylan's classic 1974 anthem that follows the story of a young boy who travels through Dylan's life.
Freedom song : young voices and the struggle for civil rights by Turck, Mary — Chicago Review Press, 2009 323; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 5.5. Explores how songs helped strengthen the Civil Rights movement, discusses how churches and other groups created new songs from existing religious and secular music, and includes an audio CD with music by the Chicago Children's Choir.
Stand up and sing! : Pete Seeger, folk music, and the path to justice by Reich, Susanna — Bloomsbury, 2017 782.42162; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 5.6. Chronicles the life and career of folk singer and song writer Pete Seeger.
Legends, icons & rebels : music that changed the world by Robertson, Robbie — Tundra Books, 2013--782.42164; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 5.7 Explores the lives and music of legendary music icons, including Chuck Berry, Carole King, Hank Williams, Bob Marley, Bob Dylan, and Stevie Wonder.
How to improve at playing guitar by Clark, Tom, 1965- — Crabtree Pub., 2010--787.87; Int Lvl: 3-6; Rd Lvl: 6.1 A step-by-step guide to playing the guitar, from basics to advanced skills, with tips on strumming, tuning, rhythm, basic plucking, barre chords, the blues scale, power chords, and more.
This land was made for you and me : the life & songs of Woody Guthrie by Partridge, Elizabeth — Viking, 2002--782.42162; Int Lvl: 5-8; Rd Lvl: 6.5 An illustrated biography of Woody Guthrie, composer of "This Land Is Your Land," and over three thousand other folk songs and ballads, telling about his travels throughout the U.S. in the first half of the twentieth century, and discussing how his experiences influenced his music.
