Dayenu!
Please stay tuned... in late 2008 I plan to be able to let you know that my new children's haggadah is completed and available for purchase from online and "real" bookstores. The publisher is working with a professional artist to fully illustrate each page with beautiful, full-color, original illustrations. I've finished the text, layout, user's guide, many pages of sheet music for every song and blessing in this haggadah, recorded a children's choir and child soloists, and just need to finish up the rest of the companion recording as this will be a combined hardcover haggadah/songbook/CD. (The publisher is also planning a softcover haggadah so schools and families can better afford to get a haggadah for each child at their seder as I know the kids will want to look closely at the beautiful color artwork.)
So I can almost see the light at the end of the tunnel and hope this will be available well before Passover. The songs are a combination of "traditional," Passover "kiddie classics," and some I wrote specifically for this project with children from preschool through around 2nd grade in mind. Even the text is in big print to assist beginning readers. And wait till you see how we handle the answers to the 4 questions. And now everyone will be able to learn how to chant the blessings using traditional Passover nusach.
There will even be a couple of special teaching Mah Nishtanah teaching tracks -- one for preschool, one for elementary school -- which families and also classroom teachers can use to help children get ready for Passover. You just gotta hear the preschooler on that first question!
I'd like to thank everyone who has come here to have a listen to "Virginia, Ever Enshrined" (HB2662) which is currently in the House Rules Committee of the Virginia House of Delegates for consideration as the official state song of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Delegate Dave Marsden is the bill's sponsor.
If you're a Virginia resident and you like what you hear -- there is both a pop version and a choral version to suit all tastes! -- please take a moment to contact your legislators to let them know. I'd really appreciate it.
It’s simple to do. Just go to http://legis.state.va.us/. It's simple to do. Under QUICK LINKS, click on "Who's My Legislator" and type in your address.
Or go straight to http://conview.state.va.us/whosmy.nsf/main?openform and type in your address. You can instantly email both your State Delegate and Senator. THANK YOU!
