What does this have to do with children’s literature? Oh ye of little faith. Read on everything shall be revealed to you.  It’s right there in the fourth paragraph, bright and shiny and new.  I’m so pleased and proud.  Many many thanks to Melanie for inviting me in the first place.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PLAID IS ALL THE RAGE FOR THE UNDER 7 CROWD!
Hip Tot Music Fest Welcomes the Ska Sounds of
The Trummytones for Mother’s Day HIP TOT MUSIC FEST will be hosting its first Mother’s Day show on Sunday, May 12th with The Trummytones, a skanking pop zydico reggae kindie band. Doors open at noon and the band will perform two sets, one at 12:30 and one at 2:00. The show opens with a story read by Author/Illustrator Melanie Hope Greenberg and there is a fun intermission show featuring the students of Jeté Dance Center. The Trummytones are an exciting new children’s music band led by world-renowned trombonist and front man Vinny Nobile (Bim Skala Bim, Pilfers). The Trummytones fuses tuba, drums, accordion, and Vinny’s high-energy performance into an organic acoustic pop zydico and reggae fun for all ages. The Trummytones are perennial favorites performing for the “musicon the menu” series in the Greenwich Public Schools where entertainment and education meet. When the Stepping Stones Children’s Museum needed music for their annual beach party they called on the The Trummytones and the kids danced the night away! The summer of 2012 saw The Trummy tones headlining the children’s stage at The Gathering Vibes Festival and the Greenwich Town Party warming up for Dave Mathews and Paul Simon. A surprise addition to this show, Amelia Robinson, creator of Mil’s Trills, will be joining the Trummytones on stage with her supersonic electric ukulele. If we are lucky we might even get a song or two from the quirky Brooklynite whose incredible voice takes you to era of the past. Along with our house author/illustrator Melanie Hope Greenberg, this month we have special guest Betsy Bird reading her book Giant Dance Party! Betsy is New York Public Library’s Youth Materials Specialist.  She blogs about children’s literature regularly at A Fuse #8 Production and has reviewed professionally for Kirkus, TimeOut Kids New York, and The New York Times.  Betsy is the author of Children’s Literature Gems: Choosing and Using Them in Your Library Career and a book about the true stories behind children’s books due out with Candlewick in Fall 2013. Hip Tot is welcoming back local artist Monica Rodriguez. Monica takes found objects and collages them in brightly colored recycled paper. The results are extraordinary! Brilliant colors with somewhat recognizable objects that you just want to love. Monica will be creating traditional Mexican tissue flowers with the kids to give to mom. Both resident parent-photograpers will be on hand at this month’s show to capture all the fun. Beth Eisgrau-Heller, mom to one super cute lil guy, comes to us with experience in music in all forms. From her involvement with Willie Mae Rock Camp for Girls, to vocalist, to event coordinator to photographer for KEXP radio, Beth understands the ins and outs of photographing a music performance.    Our portrait photo artist, Edward Kay, brings his incredible still life photography talent to our vivacious photo booth! Edward’s photos can be purchased on his website at edwardkphoto.com Hip Tot producers Gabby and Adam have worked hard to create an incredible community for families, which includes activities, snacks, music and more. Hip Tot Music Fest is famous for the best live Kindie music, complete with story time, mid-show entertainment, craft activities, a cardboard castle, giveaways and photo station. Hip Tot is like no other family show! “I was thrilled to experience such a strong community event that is focused on music, creativity, and staying hip.” - Mama Goes Natural See you on Sunday, May 12^th ready to celebrate Mother’s Day with music, stories, dance, art and fun! About Hip Tot Music Fest
The family-centric Hip Tot Music Fest is a series of live performance and music concerts for families at state-of-the-art performance and art space Littlefield in Brooklyn. Co-produced by Adam Meyer and Gabby Napolitano, Hip Tot Music Fest brings family and community merchants together with live performance for a true fest. Pre-show entertainment includes well known childrens’ author Melanie Hope Greenberg, local dance troupe The Jeté Dance Center, arts and crafts and snacks. For more info: www.HipTot.com
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