Once again, children’s librarians have used their wonderful creative abilities to serve children and families, even amidst this health crisis. Since families cannot come to the library for MGOL programs, the librarians are bringing the programs to them!

For these uncertain times, I have created a new page on my website: MGOL at Home. There, you can link to many of the MGOL programs taking place online for children around the country. You can also see first hand how MGOL can be easily modified to fit the talents and interests of the facilitator. You will recognize the program, but see how widely it can vary!

Here is just one of many MGOL programs at home, done by Tara at the Cedar Rapids Public Library in Iowa.

Everyone should sing to their children, no matter how well they sing. To a child, the parent’s voice is the most beautiful sound of all. 

This is something I say in all of my workshops.  In To Listen, To Like, To Learn, Barbara Cass-Beggs wrote: 

Today, because we hear so much good singing on records and on the radio, we are much more conscious of how beautiful a trained voice can sound, and therefore much more conscious of our own vocal short-comings. However, cheer up, for children do not expect a professionally trained voice, and quite often this feeling that you cannot hold a tune or cannot make your voice carry lies in your own mind. Sing, and the children will enjoy you, and the more you sing the better you will sing.” (p. 45)

Barbara’s book was published in 1974, but her words remain true. Even in the world of MP3 players and playlists, there is nothing in the world better to a baby than his or her mother’s voice.

I am delighted to announce that two new books of mine have been published by ALA Editions.  The first one is an update of my original MGOL Manual and the second is called Mother Goose on the Loose: Here, There, and Everywhere! It describes the wonderful adaptations and variations that have been made using the Mother Goose on the Loose method, for presenting programs in schools, hospitals, food pantries, prisons, Early Headstarts, school classrooms, refugee housing, etc.

Also, to publicize the books, ALA Editions published a fun interview called ” After more than 20 years, Mother Goose is still on the loose: an interview with Betsy Diamant-Cohen.”

If you are going to attend the ALA Annual conference, please stop by my session on Friday, June 21 from 3:00- 4:00 for “Updating and Adapting Mother Goose on the Loose: A Hands-on Presentation” in the Washington Convention Center,  room 152A.

Also, please join us on Monday, June 4 from 9:00 am – 10:00 am for “Reaching Vulnerable Families through Collaborative Partnerships” in the  Washington Convention Center,  room 146A.