The Derby Ram

Adapted by John M. Feierabend
Illustrated by Jackie Roche

The Derby Ram is an adaption of a folksong believed to be originally sung in Derby, England. Different stories are associated with the folksong in England and now in the United States. It is said, by the text of the song, there was a ram that was so big the wool on his back reached into the sky. Because his back reached up so high, eagles built nests there.

This book is more appropriate for a music class or even perhaps a piano teacher, as the music score and lyrics are available in the back of the book. While the illustrations are pretty, they give an ethereal effect rather than engaging readers into the text. The suggested age is 4-8, again, this is not a book most parents would just sit down and read to a child. Especially the sing-song is a distraction for a simple reading. At the end of the book, Feierabend has included a wealth of information regarding “The Derby Ram” that is helpful in understanding why he choose to adapt this folksong. Finally, a free mp3 can be downloaded by following the directions in the book.

BIBLIO: 2010, GIA Publications, Inc., Ages 4-8, $16.95.
REVIEWER: Debby Willett
FORMAT: Picture Book
ISBN: 978-1-57999-783-0

REVIEWED FOR: Children’s Literature, Online Version, 9-9-10

My Aunt Came Back

Adapted by John M Feierabend
Illustrated by Melanie Champagne

This story is based on a classic folksong, “My Aunt Came Back”, written in 1704, with a new melody in 1751. The story begins with a group of ants at an anthill, and continues with an ant at different locations. Timbuktu shows a camel and a wooden shoe, and an ant carrying the wooden shoe. On the following page, the Aunt goes to Old Japan and then brings back a waving fan. Each page after an Aunt goes to a different location, and brings back a different item.

The illustrations are soft color, highly detailed, and enlarged to encompass the full page; also, showing how one ant can carry multiple times its own weight. Included within the book is a link to a free download of an mp3 recording of this folksong. It is Mr. Feierabend’s lifelong goal to preserve American musical heritage for future generations. A fully notated version with all the words is included at the end of the book. I respect Mr. Feierabend’s dedication to the preservation of American folksongs; however, I feel this is a very limited market.

BIBLIO: 2008, GIA Publications, Inc., Ages 3 - 6, $16.95
REVIEWER: Debby Willett
FORMAT: Picture Book / Music Education
ISBN: 978-1-57999-680-2

REVIEWED FOR: Children’s Literature, Online Version, 11-5-09