After what seems like a long, long wait, my second book "5 Monkeys & Little Crocodile" came out this past summer. There have been quite a few book signing/performances in the last few weeks and sales are good. :-)

While attending the SCBWI conference in L.A., I learned that even when the economy is tanking, the sale of children's books remains consistent. Thankfully, there are many adults who know the importance of getting books into the hands of kids.

On that note, I would like to mention a wonderful organization called Bernie's Book Bank. They collect new and gently used children's books and distribute them to underprivileged kids. Donations of money and/or books is always appreciated. Also, there is always work to be done at the warehouse shelving and leveling the tens of thousands of books that come in. If you can give an hour or two for the cause please visit www.berniesbookbank.org The warehouse is in Libertyville, Illinois.

"5 Monkeys & Little Crocodile"

"5 Monkeys & Little Crocodile" will be out in May 2010. This is a story/song with an anti-bullying theme. There is additional information about geography, music and animals. Coloring pages and an MP3 will be available to download from my website:
MGFurlong.com. Book Release Party to be announced! I'm so excited! I am booking school and library visits for the Fall to introduce "5 Monkeys & Little Crocodile."

My good friend, Kelly Barwick, and I attended the Writer's Conference in Madison, Wisconsin last weekend. Kelly is an amazing kid (she is like a daughter to me, so I can refer to her as a kid) :-). Kelly won FIRST PLACE in the Y.A. (Young Adult) category for her book, "Ash Reign." I wasn't surprised at all, as she is a phenomenal writer, along with being a talented artist and musician. (Now I do sound like her Mom!!!), but I tell the truth. Kelly Barwick will be an author, musician, artist that you will hear a lot more about. She truly is that remarkable!

The conference, though worthwhile, was very disorganized in the beginning, which was disappointing. Upon arrival for registration, there were no room assignments for sessions, so most of us were running from room to room and floor to floor to find where we should be. I missed the first session and some of the second. The individual "pitch" sessions (which required a fee) were not kept to the 8 minute time allotment and because the schedule was so backed up some lost their time slot.

I have attended several SCBWI conferences and have no complaints whatsoever. The Writer's Institute has been hosting a conference for 21 years, this was my first, and I will probably attend again, as I mentioned that there were many good sessions and contacts that were made, but I really hope it is more organized in the future.

On an entirely different note, I had forgotten what a fabulous city Madison, Wisconsin is! There is music all over the place, bookstores galore, and a virtual "United Nations" of restaurants. I would probably weigh 300 lbs. if I lived there! :-)

For the past several months I have been working on a teacher's resource book about Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Barack Obama.  I am hoping to obtain permission to use the copyrighted Music that will go along with the subject matter.  In the meantime, to research what works in the book and what doesn't, I have been presenting a rough draft of the project to the "experts," fourth and fifth grade students.  Thus far, I have shown a DVD of the work in progress to three different schools.  The response has been very positive.  The kids are interested and engaged and the teachers welcome a way to integrate Music into their Social Studies curriculum.  The comments, questions, and insights of the students is nothing short of amazing!  I am learning from them, too!

I would like to thank Woodview School in Grayslake, South Park School in Deerfield, and Wileman School in Delavan, Wisconsin for allowing me to work with their students.

If copyright permission is granted, I can then proceed to the publishing part.  If not, I guess I will write an original song to go along with the subject matter.

Either way...back to work!

My friend, Billy Shaffer, is appearing in "The Million Dollar Quartet" at the Apollo Theatre in Chicago.  It is a musical about a December day in 1956 when Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, and Jerry Lee Lewis had an impromptu "jam" at Sun Records Studio in Memphis, Tennessee.  I had the opportunity to see the show this week and it is fabulous!  I really want to take my two teenage sons to see it.  I know they will enjoy the music.  It's only about 90 minutes long with no intermission (which is great for me because I have never been able to sit still longer than a few minutes at a time).  :-)

The musicians are great, especially the guy who plays Jerry Lee Lewis!  I was exhausted just watching them!  The box office number is 773.935.6100 and the Apollo is located at 2540 N. Lincoln Ave.  Easy to get there and there is usually plenty of parking.

Here's their website:

http://www.apollochicago.com

You really should go!

Attention all Children's Musicians:

There will be a "Song Swap & Jam" at Nibbles Play Cafe in Wheeling today, January 24th from 2-4p.m.

Kathleen Weinberg is hoping to host this fun event every fourth Saturday of the month.  It is going to be a great time and also, a great opportunity to network and meet other musicians.  Hope to see you there!

With many thanks to Sue Ferdon, my new website is up and running and productive.  Through PayPal, I just sent off a copy of  my book, "Nile, Nile, Crocodile" to a public library that requested a copy.  What an easy way to do transactions!

Please visit Sue's blog at Ferdonmusic.blogspot.com

She has so many great ideas and is a font of information and help for us 'technically challenged" individuals.  With Sue's help I have been much more confident in maintaining the website by myself.  Of course, I'm sure I will have questions for her in the future...

I know she will be willing to develop websites and blogs for anyone who is interested.

GREAT NEWS:

Yesterday I was contacted by a publisher who is interested in my next project. They actually were very impressed with "Nile" and complimented the look of my website. (Thank you, Sue).

 I am so very excited about this.  I am on cloud nine!  Imagine how excited I will be if they actually commit to publishing me!!

We will be working on recording the music this week as well as the rough draft of the text.   I am feeling energized and am trying to keep my ideas organized.  It's a little more difficult to stay focused at this time of the year... 

 SO, back to work!  :-)  

"Nile, Nile, Crocodile" to be at Crocodile Pie Bookstore

I will be presenting "Nile, Nile, Crocodile"at Crocodile Pie Bookstore (how appropriate) :-) in Libertyville, Illinois on Thursday, December 18th at 10:30a.m.

We will learn a bit about the Nile crocodile and the Nile River, hear the song and story, and then do a 'crocodile' craft.

If you are not able to attend that day, it would be really worthwhile to come another time. The bookstore is adorable and filled with all kinds of kid friendly 'goodies.'

http://www.crocodilepie.com