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10 Singable Books by Black Authors

June 5, 2020 by Annapolis Music Therapy Leave a Comment

Written by Zoe Levine, MT-BC & Kerry Devlin, MMT, MT-BC

Singable books are a staple in many music therapists’ toolkits, but upon inspection of our collections we realized that even the books we owned featuring BIPOC characters were primarily written by white people. There are so many incredible singable books written by Black authors with lived experience, and these books should be prioritized in therapeutic spaces and on our personal bookshelves.

While this blog post seeks to focus on Black authors, we acknowledge that identities are intersectional and not always apparent. These authors may claim the identities of biracial, multiracial, or another racial identity entirely.

The 10 books below were identified as “singable” based on rhyming text or having a predictable rhythmic pattern. They also have limited text compared to some extended rhyming books that may be more challenging to set to music. Some are based on songs with existing melodies, but many could be paired with melodies from other songs or original, music therapist-created melodies. If you’re looking for more non-singable books to supplement your library, check out this list of children’s books by Black authors. We also encourage you to consider additional curated booklists for children, such as those created by Ashay By the Bay and Embrace Race. 

If you purchase a book, please prioritize Black owned bookstores. There are so many, but if you cannot find what you need there, we encourage you to use a local bookstore. Many are currently donating a portion of their profits to Black led organizations. If you absolutely cannot find what you need at an independent retailer, use AmazonSmile instead of Amazon and set your supported organization to non-profits such as the NAACP or Minnesota Freedom Fund. 

The books below are listed in alphabetical order. This is not a ranking of books, as they are all equally important. It is also important for us to note that this is in no way an all-encompassing list; we hope you’ll let us know what books we’ve missed, and plan to continue creating singable booklists in the near future. 

Antiracist Baby by Ibram X Kendi

This book is still in preorder, but we do know it rhymes! From the author of How to Be an Antiracist comes Antiracist Baby, a board book outlining 9 steps to begin dismantling racism. The book is illustrated by Ashley Lukashevsky, a prolific political artist and POC.

 

 

Brown boy, Brown boy, What Can you Be? By Ameshia Arthur 

This book follows a young boy as he explores all the exciting career options available to him. Words like “horticulturalist” mean this may be better suited for slightly older clients/students, but the bright illustrations and predictable refrain make it attractive to learners of all ages. (Please select the non-profit of your choice if purchasing through Amazon Smile.)

 

Brown Boy Joy by Thomishia Booker, LCSW, EdDCP

The Hey, Carter! Book Series is full of books based on Tomishia Booker’s own son. With her Masters in Social Work and Doctorate in Education Counseling Psychology and a background in Early Childhood Mental Health, Tomishia brings a wealth of experience to this sweet rhyming book about the beauty of being a brown boy.

 

Every Little Thing by Cedella Marley & Bob Marley, Illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton

This is one of our most used books in school based music therapy. There are so many opportunities to address “wh” questions, and it follows the pattern of Bob Marley’s original song (with lyrics changed in the verses), so you don’t have to come up with a melody. Cedella Marley’s adaptation of “One Love” is also a must have. 

 

I Believe I Can by Grace Byers, Illustrated by Keturah A. Bobo

Written by the author of “I Am Enough”, this book provides a series of positive affirmations for children and their parents. “My presence matters in this world. My life is worthy; there’s a plan. I know I can do anything.” 

 

 

Lullaby (For a Black Mother) by Langston Hughes, Illustrated by Sean Qualls

While this book does not rhyme, its poetic nature and natural reading rhythm lend themselves to singing and snuggling.

 

 

 

Nighttime Symphony by Timbaland and Christopher Myers

In this collaboration by musician and producer Timbaland and artist Christopher Myers, a rhyming bedtime story describes the sounds of a storm that slowly help a little one fall asleep. We suggest pairing this story with ambient instruments, like a rainstick or thunder tube, to use as a cool down experience. 

 

 

This Little Light of Mine by Public Domain & E.B. Lewis

This book pairs text from a well-known spiritual with beautiful illustrations of a Black boy and his family. We envision using this story as a conversation starter for children to celebrate their unique personhood and what “makes them shine”. A musical arrangement of the song is also included for easy playing.

 

 

Welcome to The Party by Gabrielle Union, Illustrated by Ashley Evans

This story is all about celebrating a new baby as they encounter the world for the first time. Meeting friends and family, eating, playing, taking a bath, snuggling, and dancing are just a few of the excitements this new baby experiences! Specific words are highlighted on each page, which lends itself nicely for use with early readers and students working on vocabulary, rhyming, and “wh” questions.

 

Whose Knees Are These? By Jabari Asim

This book is excellent for little ones learning body parts and body love. Bounce, pat, and find your right and left knees while singing along in a family-centered session or music class. 

 

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Antiracism, Singable Books

AMT’s AntiRacism Commitment

June 5, 2020 by Annapolis Music Therapy Leave a Comment

We urge you to take a moment to read Annapolis Music Therapy’s AntiRacism Commitment, which was developed collectively by the members of our team.
 
In the wake of the murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, Annapolis Music Therapy Services affirms that our Black clients’, Black therapists’, and Black community members’ lives matter. Their trauma matters. These murders are the result of systematic violence by police perpetuated by a culture of racism and white supremacy prevalent in the United States.
 
While we strive to create inclusive therapy spaces, we as therapists are not separate and immune to the systems that have historically subjugated Black bodies, especially disabled Black bodies. Our team is now made up of Black, brown, disabled, LGBTQ+, and white therapists and students, which are identities that both intersect and differ from those of our clients. We know that we are limited by our perspective, but commit to listening to the voices of folx whose perspectives, identities, and lived experiences diverge from ours.
 
AMT acknowledges the history of generational racial wealth disparities stemming from slavery and colonialism that is preserved by racist hiring practices and lack of social supports. We will begin combatting this through the restructuring of our existing programs, which currently cater to affluent families with daytime flexibility and funds to support their engagement in therapeutic and leisure activities.
 
AMT will be taking clear action steps in response, which will immediately include, but are not limited to:
 
1. Providing our employees and students with access and exposure to educational resources in order to foster a lifelong commitment to antiracist learning and the dismantling of racist power structures
 
2. Exploring a sliding pay scale or flexible payment schedule for our programs, music therapy sessions, and music lessons
 
3. Expanding free programming to include events offered in the evening and weekend hours
 
4. Featuring the work of Black therapists, musicians, and authors on our website, social media pages, and in therapeutic spaces

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Antiracism, Black Lives Matter

annapolismusictherapy

🚨We are moving!🚨 Come join us on Sunday, Ju 🚨We are moving!🚨

Come join us on Sunday, July 10th for an Open House, from 1-4pm!

First day for clients at the new location will begin Monday, July 11th.

Image Description: A flyer showing a building with "The Offices at Riva" written at the top, with the AMT logo next to the image, and a photo collage of past and present AMT staff working with kids and older adults in different music settings. There is text that reads: New Location! The offices at Riva 2568A Riva Road Suite 103 Annapolis MD 21401. Open House Sunday July 10th 1-4pm. Come check out our new space! *bullet list*: official ribbon cutting ceremony, Crafts and Coloring, Food and Games, Instrument exploration, Live music, A quiet/sensory room.
Amelia Appreciate Week: Day 5 “In a cookie cut Amelia Appreciate Week: Day 5 

“In a cookie cutter world, she most certainly is a macaroon- always bringing SO much creativity and fun both in and outside of musical spaces! Keep being your creative, amazing, non cookie cutter self, my friend!”
- Mikaila Vieyra 

ID: a pale yellow background with a photo of Amelia, Mikaila, and another young adult female wearing face masks. they are standing under a neon sign that reads “In a cookie cutter world, be a macaron”
Day 4 of Amelia Appreciation week! ID 1: Amelia Day 4 of Amelia Appreciation week! 

ID 1: Amelia holding a white board with a music staff and piano keys on it. She is standing in front of drums on the floor. Each drum is upside down and there are bean bags scattered around the room and in the drums

ID 2: A drum with home made "Musical go fish" cards on it. There is a boy seated (face not seen) and hands holding some cards with the music note side of the cards showing to the camera

ID 3: A colorful drawing on the floor. There are images of flowers, shapes, waves, and other colorful doodles all over the page
Join Naomi for this fun filled weekly camp experie Join Naomi for this fun filled weekly camp experience!

Image description: a cartoon of 5 young children playing instruments in a circle. Text reads “Mysic Makers Camp. July 5-August 2nd. Tuesdays 12-2. Ages 6-10. Location: Maryland Hall 801 Chase st, Annapolis, MD. Weekly community music therapy groups for elementary age students with and without disabilities. Class time will be spent in group activities such as singing, dancing, instrument play, and crafts. High school and college age students will be assisting so every student is fully supported.
#SummerCampAnnapolis #Annapolis #MarylandHall #InclusiveSummerCamp #AnnapolisSummerCamps
"Amelia enters every space with such joy and enthu "Amelia enters every space with such joy and enthusiasm and it was a pleasure to celebrate her hard work with her in the graduation celebration pictured above"
- Naomi Davis 

ID: Pale yellow background with text at the top reading: "Amelia Appreciation Week!". There is a photo under the text of Amelia and Naomi smiling infront of a wooden fence with one arm around each other. They are both wearing dresses and there is a floral boarder around the bottom of the photo
"Amelia had an immediate connection with this litt "Amelia had an immediate connection with this little guy and I know he will miss her. It has been so much fun watching her build relationships with so many amazing people these past few months and it's been a privelge making music with her <3" 
- Anissa Dominguez 

ID: Pale yellow background with text at the top reading: "Amelia Appreciation Week!". Under the text are 3 photos of Amelia playing guitar next to a young boy. He is kneeling at the neck of the guitar as Amelia plays in one photo, Laying down at the neck of the guitar with a lollipop drum in his hand and a chew in his mouth in the second photo, and standing up facing Amelia as she plays in the third photo.
We’re hiring. See the link in our link tree for We’re hiring. See the link in our link tree for more information! 

Image description: Black text on a white background with a yellow circle and music note. The text says “We’re hiring. $23-30 per hour. PTO. Travel reimbursement. CBMT dues and Maryland licensure fees. Benefits for full time employees. Internal & external supervision.”
🎉 Happy Amelia Appreciation Week! 🎉 Amelia 🎉 Happy Amelia Appreciation Week! 🎉

Amelia has been an amazing intern and has become a dear friend to us all here at AMT. We are so proud of her and this week we are going to show off all the amazing things she had done during her internship! 

Congratulation Amelia! 🎓

ID: Two photos on a pale yellow background. There is blue text at the top with pink backing that says "Amelia Apprecciation Week!". The two photos are below. Photo 1 has Amelia and another masked female laying on the floor with puzzle mats with yoga poses on them scattered around them. Between them is a puzzle mat with a "corpse pose" on it.  The second photo had both women facing eachother, holding hands, standing up with their legs spread and one knee bent. On the floor infront of them is a mat with the "worrior pose" on it.
☀️ New summer classes! ☀️ This will be o ☀️ New summer classes! ☀️ 

This will be offered as a hybrid in person and virtual class. 

🎧 Register now at marylandhall.org/classes

ID: an info graphic over a photo of a music studio. Text: intro to digital songwriting. July 6 to August 3. 12 to 1:30 PM. Ages 13 to 18. Location: 801 Chase St., Annapolis MD 21401. More details: interested in learning how modern day music artist create those amazing sounds in drum beats? Want to learn the basics on how to use those digital tools such as GarageBand, Soundtrap, and midi tools to write and record a song? Join us in engaging in group digital songwriting. We will work together to complete at least one class project throughout this fun five week class.
Our creative intern, Amelia, is mixing things up i Our creative intern, Amelia, is mixing things up in her piano lessons with a fun rhythm game! 

The student also created his own rhythms for the MT to play and he was very clever about it. (See photo 3) 😆

#musictherapy #pianolesson #rhythm 

ID 1: Amelia (a brunette female) pointing to 1 of 4 large drums. Each drum has a music note on it (quarter, 2 eighths, quarter, 2 eights). On the other side of the drums is a boy hitting rhythms sticks together 
ID 2: a different camera angle the a similar scene, but the MT (off camera) is also playing rhythm sticks, and the notes are different (quarter rest, quarter, quarter rest, eighth notes)
ID 3: the same scene but only the first drum has a note on it (a whole rest). The boy has his hands in his pockets.
Our exciting news is finally official! AMT is relo Our exciting news is finally official! AMT is relocating!! We are moving into the newly renovated Offices at Riva building, 3268A Riva Road, Suite 103, Annapolis MD 21401. This is near the intersection of Hwy 665 and only 5 minutes from our current location, where the Bayside Pediatrics office used to be. 
The move will occur somewhere mid-summer, exact date TBD. We will be more than quadrupling our space and we are thrilled! 

PicID: Photo of a 3 story corporate office building, with a yellow circle around the ground floor unit which will be AMT's new office suite.
I like to use apps and games as warmups before pla I like to use apps and games as warmups before playing piano. 
This cute app is called “Like a Dino!” 

-Anissa Dominguez LP-MT, MT-BC 

Video description:-a male individuals hand is visible. He is playing a game on an iPad. The game involves using your finger to move the cartoon dinosaur to catch the green bars as they come down the screen. The bars match the music

Audio Description: the game has a light, playful melody played with a piano and a recorder.
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