Lisa Loeb brings her witty personality to each book by reaching into her childhood for inspiration. She tells me that, "The sing-along books are totally inspired by my experience at summer camp, especially sleep-over camp in Marble Falls, TX at Camp Champions. We sang all over the place: on the way to breakfast, floating on inner-tubes on the water, in between activities, during activities." She continues to say that, "Music was everywhere. I wanted to capture some of those classic songs as well as songs inspired by the feeling of being at summer camp. Some songs are more wistful and sentimental, some more silly and fun, and lots of fun stories and lyrics to learn!" And she has done just that. Each book has a little bit of everything from coconut cream "pie" recipe to yoga.
My daughters' have found the stories & music enchanting from the catchy all time favorites to Lisa's original witty music. I too have found myself singing along to the songs and enjoying how animated I can get when reading it to the girls. When we first started reading Lisa Loeb's songs for Movin' & Shakin' the air band song and other toe-tapping tunes my daughter had become scared of the dark and the little crickets she heard outside. When she heard the words and rhythm ,"first they stomped the ground, waved their arms around, let our a great big growl... (ROAR) They were doing the monster stomp" it became an event in our household and it helped her conquer her fears of the dark. The best part is having Madeleine my 2.5 year-old sing along. Her roar sounds more like a mouses roar, but she is giving it everything she has. The songs turn our evenings into our very pajama party? For a little morning pick me up we look to "Hello Day" that combines music with yoga. While I read they do their yoga.
Her books have an upbeat tempos that is refreshing and makes it easy to be silly and have fun. She encourages kids to play “air” instruments like “a tennis racket makes a great guitar!" or cook up some yummy coconut cream "pie." In 2004 Lisa had a cooking show on the Food network called Dweezil & Lisa, would she ever consider hosting a cooking show for kids? "I’d love to work with someone on a project related to kids and food." She says, "I think we can all learn from a TV show or a cookbook with kids’ portions, but full of appealing, delicious and healthy food. I know there are lots of them out there, but like other moms, I’d love to learn more about how to get the kids and the rest of the family to eat more variety."
I did have to ask Lisa if she ever get tired of people requesting her to sing "Stay (I Miss You)" "I have gotten really used to singing that song! People request it every time I play and as a music fan myself, I know how important it is to play the songs people want to hear." She tells me because of course I am one of those people who would love to hear her sing that song. "I usually get to play a new song or other songs from my many albums too. People have a strong connection to the song, like something happened to them and they connect it with the song like meeting their husband or a big breakup, some people have fun memories of singing along with their schoolmates or sisters."
I did have to ask Lisa if she ever get tired of people requesting her to sing "Stay (I Miss You)" "I have gotten really used to singing that song! People request it every time I play and as a music fan myself, I know how important it is to play the songs people want to hear." She tells me because of course I am one of those people who would love to hear her sing that song. "I usually get to play a new song or other songs from my many albums too. People have a strong connection to the song, like something happened to them and they connect it with the song like meeting their husband or a big breakup, some people have fun memories of singing along with their schoolmates or sisters."
Q: You grew up going to summer camp, have your kids headed off to camp yet? If so, how hard was that for you or were excited for them to have similar experiences as you had?
A: My five and a half year old daughter has been going to day camp for two years now. She loves the full day of fun that’s different from a regular preschool day. I’m really excited for the kids to do what I did at camp. We tried new things that seemed challenging at first, did more sports than I thought I felt comfortable doing, but in the end felt stronger mentally and physically because of it. I really felt a sense of independence that I want them to know.
Q: Which is one of your favorite recipes to make and which do your kids request the most?
A: My five and a half year old daughter has been going to day camp for two years now. She loves the full day of fun that’s different from a regular preschool day. I’m really excited for the kids to do what I did at camp. We tried new things that seemed challenging at first, did more sports than I thought I felt comfortable doing, but in the end felt stronger mentally and physically because of it. I really felt a sense of independence that I want them to know.
Q: Which is one of your favorite recipes to make and which do your kids request the most?
