The Christmas Guest

Presented by “Grandpa Jones”
written by Helen Steiner Rice

Story Notes and Extras

In the spirit of the holidays, take the time
and opportunity to share this story with your family, friends, and children of all ages.

Talk and Discover

What are some of the ways that you can make someone feel welcome?
What are some of the ways that you can make someone feel loved?
What is something that people like on a cold day?
What is something that makes you feel better?
What is something you can share with someone that’s hungry?
What is something good that you wish for someone?

Learning With Art

Draw a picture of something that you can make as a gift.
Draw a picture of something that you would cook for a guest in your home.
Draw a picture of someone that you hope will visit you.

Helping To Make The Holidays Happy For Everyone

Visit someone in a hospital, or that is sick at home.
Write a note to someone that you haven’t seen for a while.
Let everyone see you smile.

Other Stories To Enjoy

The Polar Express
The Grinch That Stole Christmas
The Night Before Christmas

Having More Fun

Draw a picture of “Grandpa Jones.” (be sure to put a mustache on Grandpa)
Draw a picture of “Grandpa Jones” or “Santa” playing the banjo.
Draw a picture of “Grandpa Jones” going “hee-haw!”

Grandpa Jones
Member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, famed banjo and “old time” country and gospel music singer, the affable Louis Marshall “Grandpa” Jones (1913-1998) was born in the farming community of Niagara in Henderson Country, Kentucky. Grandpa spent his teenage years in Akron, Ohio, where he began singing country music on a local radio show. In 1935 Grandpa moved to Boston, Massachusetts, working at radio station WBZ (AM) where musician/songwriter Bradley Kincaid gave him the nickname "Grandpa" because of his early morning off-stage grumpiness. Grandpa liked the name and decided to create a stage persona based around it.
Known for his spry wit and humor, and vaudevillian style, Grandpa entertained audiences of all ages, was a member of the Grand Ole Opry, and a longtime favorite on the one of TV’s most popular shows, Hee Haw.
In 1978 Grandpa Jones was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, and more of his life can be read in his autobiography, “Everybody’s Grandpa: Fifty Years Behind The Mike.”

“The Christmas Guest” was written by
Helen Steiner Rice

Helen Steiner Rice (1900 - 1981) was born in Lorain, Ohio and is a widely recognized writer of religious and inspirational poetry.
Mrs. Rice became a successful businesswoman and lecturer after her husband died in 1932, and found great joy in writing verse for a prominent greeting card company. Helen’s poems received wide exposure in the 1960’s and she became known as “America’s inspirational poet laureate.”
Helen Steiner Rice’s books of inspirational poetry have now sold nearly seven million copies, and the Helen Steiner Rice Foundation continues her charitable work.
www.helensteinerrice.com
 

Happy Bear

Written and presented by Sean Hunter

Story Notes and Extras
for parents, teachers and children

Learning With Art

Draw a picture of a bear smiling.
Draw a picture of something that might make a bear smile.
Draw a picture of something that makes you smile.
Draw a picture of a bear picking berries.
Draw a picture of a bear dancing.
Draw a picture of a bear sleeping.
Draw a picture of where a bear lives in the winter.
Draw a picture of a tree that a bear might climb.
Draw a picture of something that a bear might play with.
Draw a picture of something that a bear might do in a circus.
Draw a picture of something that a bear might do in a zoo.
Draw a picture of something that you and a bear might like for dinner.


Talk and Discover

What makes you smile?
Who do you think smiles a lot?
When’s a good time to smile?
Have you ever felt a smile wiggle through your fingers?
Has a smile ever tickled your toes?
Have you ever felt a smile wiggle through your ears?
How long does it take for a smile to reach the tip of your nose?
When should you say “please?”
Why should you say “thank you?”
Can you say “hello” in French?
German?
Italian?
Spanish?
What are some other words that might make someone smile?

Teddy Bears

What’s a good name for a Teddy Bear
What do Teddy Bears like to talk about?
What do you think Teddy Bear’s dream about?

Books With Bears

Goldilocks and The Three Bears

Other Famous Bears

Winnie-the Pooh
Smokey “The” Bear
Yogi Bear (and Boo Boo)

Teams Named After Bears

The Chicago Bears
Chicago Cubs
Boston Bruins
Memphis Grizzlies

Famous Bears (from the NFL Chicago Bears)
George Halas - Water Payton - Mike Ditka - Gale Sayers
Dick Butkus - Mike Singletary - “Red” Grange - “The Galloping Ghost."

Famous Bears (from the MLB Chicago Cubs)
Earnie Banks - Billy Williams - Hack Wilson
Jack “Hey Hey” Brickhouse - Ferguson Jenkins

Famous Bears (from the NHL Boston Bruins)

Bobby Orr - Milt Schmidt - Gerry Cheevers - Jean Ratelle
Willie O’Rea - Woody Dumart - Derek Sanderson - Cam Neely
Ray Bourque - Paul Stewart - Charlie Jacobs - Joe Thornton
Rick Middleton - Terry O’Reily - Brad Park - Tommy Williams

Famous Bears (from the NBA Memphis Grizzlies)
Paul Gasol - Hubie Brown - Jerry West

Songs About Bears

The Bear Went Over The Mountain
The Teddy Bear’s Picnic

What You Should Know

Never feed a bear.
If you are going camping or hiking in the woods
– read first about what to do if you should meet a bear.

Other Ideas

Visit someone who isn’t feeling well – that will help them to smile
Write a friend a letter – that is always appreciated

Questions To Learn With

Are there any bears in the sky? (Ursa Major and Ursa Minor)
What breed of bear is the state animal of Louisiana, New Mexico and West Virginia?
What breed of bear is the state animal of Montana and California?
What state has a bear on it’s state flag?
What three continents are bears not found?
What do most bears like to do in the winter?
What is the name of the home where a bear lives?
How much can a bear weight?
What are baby bears called?
How fast can a bear run?
Why do bears stand on their hind legs?
How far can a polar bear swim?
How many black bears are estimated to be in North America?
How many black bears are estimated to be in the United States?
What is the average lifespan of brown grizzly bear?
How tall is a panda bear?
 

Story Notes and Extras
Memories With Mother Goose

presented by Sean Hunter
recorded with Bob Pascarella

Mother Goose rhymes are a time honored tradition
 and one of the first ways that children
have learned to talk, have fun and learn to read.

Enjoy the recorded presentation and Story Notes.

Learning With Art

Draw a picture of a cow jumping over the moon.
Draw a picture of where Mary went to school.
Draw a picture of the sheep waiting for Mary.
Draw a picture of the sun drying up all the rain.
Draw a picture of a pony.
Draw a picture of someone riding on a pony.
Draw a picture of Yankee Doodle.
Draw a picture of a teddy bear.
Draw a picture of a teddy bear saying his prayers.

Talk and Discover
for parents, teachers, children and friends

Why did Diddle Diddle Dumpling My Son John go to bed wearing one shoe?
What letter would you put on a pie?
Who do you know whose name begins with that letter?
What do you like to eat that’s hot?
What do you like to eat for lunch that’s cold?
What do you like to wear that’s made of wool?
Where are you when it’s 8 o’clock at night?
Where are you when it’s 8 o’clock in the morning?
What song would you sing for a King?
Who does the moon see that you want to see?
Why did the mouse run up the clock?
How did the owl get to be so smart?
What kind of pudding do you think the cat ran away with?
What do you know that is made of gold?
If a dog was a captain of a ship, what would he say when the ship began to move?
Where did the little dog go whose ears were short and tail was long?
What are some other names for two little birds beside Peter and Paul?
How far do you think the robin went when he flew away from the pussycat?

Other Ideas to Enjoy

Sing some of the Mother Goose rhymes
Go to one of the Mother Goose reading events at your local library


More Talk and Discover

What is your favorite Mother Goose rhyme?
Who do you think would also like the Mother Goose rhymes?

Story Notes and Extras
The Happy Song Symphony - Opry Style

written by Sean Hunter

Charlie McCoy – Harmonica and Chest Bones (hockey goalie’s chest protector)
Billy Linneman – Dog House Bass
Joe Edwards – Fiddle and Guitar
Sean Hunter - Narration
Recorded Watershed Studios – Nashville, TN
Jim Dineen – engineer

Learning With Art

Draw a picture of an animal that goes oink, oink
of an animal that goes bow wow
an animal that goes meow
an animal that goes hee ha
an animal that goes honk honk
an animal that goes moo moo
Draw a picture of you singing
Draw a picture of a singer wearing a cowboy hat
Draw a picture of a singer wearing cowboy boots

Talk and Discover

How many animals walked onto the Opry stage?
Who was your favorite singer in “The Happy Song Symphony – Opry Style?”
Who do you think taught the animals to sing?
Where do you think that they practiced?
Who do you think wrote the song?
What famous country song would you like to hear someone sing at the Opry?
What would you wear to the Opry?
Who would you like to meet if you went to the Opry?
Who would you ask to go to the Opry with you?
What do you think made the Opry so famous?
What song would you sing if you were on the Opry stage?

Having Fun

● visit your library and listen to some country and western music
● ask the librarian to recommend some books to read about country singers
● learn about the instruments that are played in country and bluegrass bands

● write a song that you would like to sing


A Brief History of the Grand Ole Opry

The Grand Ole Opry began in Nashville, TN in 1925 and is one of the most famous shows in the world. Some of the greatest performers have appeared on the Opry, and each week the Opry is broadcast live on its’ original radio station, WSM – 650 AM.

The success and popularity of the Opry has inspired many TV shows. Many movies have been made about many of the stars that have appeared on the Opry. The music of the Opry has brought joy and happiness to people everywhere, of all ages, and many of the stars and their music will remain timeless and never be forgotten.

Styles of Music Played on the Opry

Country
Bluegrass
Gospel
Western Swing

Famous “Opry” Singers

Eddy Arnold
Johnny Cash
Patsy Cline
Skeeter Davis
Buck Owens
Tammy Wynette (First Lady of Country Music)
Kitty Wells (Queen of Country Music)
Dottie West
Hank Williams
Faron Young

Famous Songs Sung on the Opry

“Elvira”
“Where Were You When The World Stopped Turning”
“Angels Among Us”
“Crazy”
“Your Cheatin’ Heart”

Legends That Have Been On The Opry

Elvis Presley
Dottie Rambo (undisputed Queen of Gospel Music)
Minnie Pearl
Uncle Dave Macon

Opry Stars That You’ll Often Hear On The Radio

Alabama
Glen Campbell
Rosanne Cash
Charlie Daniels
Vince Gill
Tom T. Hall
Emmylou Harris
George Jones
Alison Krauss
Brenda Lee
Loretta Lynn
Martine McBride
Ronnie Milsap
Lorrie Morgan
Willie Nelson
Dolly Parton
Charlie Pride
Marty Robbins
Kenny Rogers
Connie Smith
George Strait
Marty Stuart
The Oak Ridge Boys
Randy Travis
Josh Turner

Websites to Enjoy

Ryman Auditorium - www.ryman.com
Country Music Hall of Fame - www.countrymusichalloffame.com
Opry broadcast - www.wsmonline.com
Midnight Jamboree - www.etrecordshop.com
Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame - www.nashvillesongwritersfoundation.com


Other Ideas That Are Fun

● look up - Grammy Awards
● Dove Awards
● read some of the biographies of country music singers and songwriters
● look up where some of the country music singers and songwriters were born

Story Notes and Extras
    
A Floating Cow
written and presented by Sean Hunter

an opportunity for parents, teachers, friends and children to have fun together

Learning With Art
(for home and school projects)

Draw a picture of a Floating Cow.
Draw a picture of something that a Floating Cow likes.
Draw a picture of Little Johnny Merry Berry.
Draw a picture of the Judge.

Talk and Discover

How do you think the Floating Cow learned to float?
Does a Floating Cow have their own airport?
Where do you think the Floating Cow sleeps?
Do you think the Floating Cow eats anything special?
What do you think would be a good name for the “Floating Cow??
Do you think the Floating Cow has taught any of his friends how to float?
How high do you think the Floating Cow can float?
Do you think that the Floating Cow listens to moo-sic?
Does the Floating Cow go to the moo-vies?

Why did the Floating Cow want Little Johnny to behave?
Do you think that the Floating Cow was Little Johnny’s friend?
Do you think that Little Johnny had any friends in school?
What is a good way to make friends?
What is something at a friend might tell you?
What is something that a Floating Cow might tell you?
What is something that a friend might do for you?
Who are some of your friends?
Do you think the Floating Cow has ever seen a cowboy or cowgirl?
What else do you think a Floating Cow has seen when they were floating in the air?

Famous Cow Tales

Mrs. Murphy’s Cow and the Great Chicago Fire

Friends of the Floating Cow
(that you can read about)

Babe, the Blue Ox
The Little Red Hen
The Three Little Pigs

Cow Jokes

Q – What does a farmer use to count the cows?
A- a cow-culator

Q – What happens if a cow laughs to hard
A- they cow-lapse

Q – What does a cow like to do in the morning?
A – wake up in a happy mooo-d

Famous Cows

Elsie

Names of Cows

Dolly  -  Daisy  -  Maggie  -  Maisy   
Betsy  -  Bessy  -  Buttercup  - Nel
Heidi  -  Pixie  -  Bella  -  Lilly
Clarabelle  -  Lulu  -  Rosie  -  Nel  

What Are Some Names That You Would Call A Cow?

What Are Some Of The Foods That Are Made With Milk?

(hint)

ice cream would be one of them

What Is Your Favorite Flavor Of Ice Cream?

What Is Your Favorite Food?
and
Have You Seen A Cow Today?

Story Notes and Extras
Funny Farm
musical version
written and presented by Sean Hunter
 
acoustic guitar - harmonica -Charlie McCoy
(www.charliemccoy.com)
fiddle - Wanda Vick
doghouse bass - Mark Burchfield
drum - vocals - Sean Hunter

Learning With Art

Draw a picture of a farmer and a scarecrow
Draw a picture of a weather vane on top of a barn
Draw a map of the Funny Farm
(showing where the barn is, the farm house,
the corn field, vegetable garden, chicken coop,
pig pen, fields for the sheep and other animals,
pumpkin patch, apple orchards, bee hives
and anything else
that you think you would find on a farm)

Who On A Farm Should

drive the tractor
pull the plow
plant the corn
milk the cows
chow the wood
and
paint the barn

More Fun With Art
 
Draw a picture of – the donkey going oink oink
 a bull going meow
a turkey going quack
 a goose going bow wow
 an owl whistling
a rooster playing the horn
and
a picture of the sun smiling
(because everyone is happy on the Funny, Funny Farm)  

What are some of your own ideas that you might draw?

Note:
Parents and teachers can draw an outline of some of the Funny Farm animals
 for younger children to color

Talk And Discover
 (an activity for parents, children and friends)

What would be a good day to visit the Funny Farm?
How would you get there?
Would you need to ride in a “funny car? or a “funny bus? to get to the Funny Farm??

Draw a picture of a “funny car? and a “funny bus.?

Who would you take with you to visit the “Funny Farm??
Who else do you think would like to visit the Funny Farm?
Do you think that the Funny Farm is funny every day?
What would be the funniest day to visit the Funny Farm?
Could they have a parade at the “Funny Farm??
What would a “Funny Farm? parade be like?
Where on the Funny Farm could they have a picnic?
What would you bring to a Funny Farm picnic?
What songs would you sing at a “Funny Farm? picnic?
What songs would you sing on the way to the Funny Farm?
Does the “Funny Farm? have a cuckoo clock?
Is there more than one Funny Farm?

Some Books About Farms
that you can get at your library

The Little Red Hen
The Three Little Pigs
Charlotte’s Web

Some Funny Farm Jokes

Who on the Funny Farm goes to bed with their shoes on?
the horse, of course

What runs all the way around the pasture but never moves?
a fence

How did the chicken learn to tell jokes?
he read a yoke book

Some Books and Stories
Good For Bedtime Reading

the stories of Beatrix Potter
the stories of James Herriot

The “Funny Farm?  was
recorded at Watershed - Nashville, TN  
arrangement – Charlie McCoy   mixing and editing – Jim Dineen

Story Notes and Extras

Mr. Duck Hee
written and presented by Sean Hunter

Having Fun With Children
For Parents and Teachers

Learning With Art
draw a picture of Mr. Duck Hee
draw a picture of some of Mr. Duck Hee’s friends
draw a picture of Mr. Duck Hee looking for a puddle

Talk and Discover
What do you think is Mr. Duck Hee’s favorite food?
What are some good songs for a duck to sing?
What songs do you like to sing?
What are some good songs to sing on a rainy day?
What does a duck do on a sunny day?

Reading For Everyone
Stories About Ducks That You Can Get At The Library

Make Way For Ducklings – by Robert McCloskey
The Ugly Duckling – by Hans Christian Andersen

Duck Facts

Ducks wash their face at least 2 or 3 times a day.
A duck’s feathers are waterproof.
A ducks feet never get cold.

Some Famous Ducks

Donald Duck
Daffy Duck
Daisy Duck
Huey, Dewey and Louie

Duck Jokes

Q – What time do ducks get up?
A - At the quack of dawn.

Q - What happened to the duck when he flew upside down?
A - He quacked up

Q – What did the detective say to the duck?
A – I hope we quack this case.

Q – What did the duck say when the clerk at the supermarket asked to be paid??
A – Put everything on my bill.

Being A Ducks Friend
- with an adult -

visit the ducks at the zoo
feed the ducks at the communities pond or stream
visit a farm
remember that dogs, cats and many other animals aren’t always a ducks friend

Duck Games

Duck, Duck, Goose
Follow The Duck (aka – Follow The Leader)

Ducks That Play Games

Anaheim Ducks
Oregon Ducks
Long Island Ducks