For summer reading show information and to download a free MP3 now through August 10 at http://www.rachelsumner.com/summerreading.html

Photos of monarchs in different stages of metamorphosis http://www.rachelsumner.com/Monarchs.html

The difference between moths and butterflies http://www.rachelsumner.com/ButDifferencesMoth.html

Watch for some big changes on my website. The nanny for two young fans of mine hooked me up with her talented son who has a passion for web design. His name is Michael McGuire. He lives in Rosemont, MI. I'm thrilled to have him working with me to help make my website look more aesthetically pleasing.

For a little while, you'll still find a mix of my old black web pages. I've grown EXTREMELY tired of looking at black and a mish-mosh of colored text.

My goal is to create a look that reflects the imagination of my work and captures my personality. I want it to be more visual, more fun, and provide information that is helpful to you.

It is a work in progress so let me know what you like or don't like and what you'd like to see on this site. What would be helpful to you as a fan, parent, teacher, or venue manager.

I have a new Master Artist workshop with Wolf Trap called "Cookin' In The Kitchen." Participants learn how to play homemade kitchen instruments like the wooden spoons, canjo (made out of two cans and fishing line) and turkey baster. I instruct everyone on simple techniques to play them and how to use them in the classroom to teach curriculum topics.

I'm traveling to Virginia to present it in May and June. Call Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning in the Arts at (800) 404-8461 to book it at your Early Childhood Center. I present residencies too through them.

I've been excited about being selected as an Arts Ingration Specialist with the Tennessee Arts Commission. We attended some fabulous training. Tennessee now have six new Arts Integrated schools. I hope to have the opportunity to do residencies at these schools.

I picked up the new Rachel's Fun Time Too CD this week. I'm thrilled. I rerecorded three of my old songs, added two new songs and remixed and mastered the entire recording.

It also has new artwork by the talented Brian Hull from the main library. What a talent he is! Hear it at http://www.rachelsumner.com/music.html#toospot

I've created a photo album on my website. I hope to post pictures of residencies, workshops, shows (and, of course, fans at the shows) on this page as I am able. See http://www.rachelsumner.com/photoshow2.html

I've been working in the studio on a new CD version of Rachel's Fun Time Too! I've added two new songs (PIZZA and The Wigwam Wiggle) and new recordings of Friends and Peanut Butter and Jelly. We will finish remixing and remastering the entire recording in mid-May. I hope to get it to the manufacturer in late May and have it out sometime early this summer.

I won the District 63 Toastmaster's Humorous Speech contest that was held in Sevierville, TN this fall. I competed against 5 other excellent speakers from the district, which includes Middle and East TN, southern KY, and southern VA. I demonstrated some of my funny instruments and talked about how I burn everything I cook because the kitchen is filled with glorious distractions. Yes, the turkey baster was included! I also played a funny new instrument that I made. I call it a "Gluteous Rhythm Maker."

Adults are just big kids. They laughed as hard as the kids usually do. A couple of people couldn't stop giggling. They giggle right through the minute of silence after the speech while the judges tabulated the score. Giggling is such a lovely sound. Don't you agree?

I've added two Quicktime video clips of sign language from my instructional video. See one on the link Rachel's Music by scrolling down to the video and looking at the song Friends or type in my secret page http://www.rachelsumner.com/lyrics.html and view them at the bottom of the page!

The song Gootcha Gotcha Giggles from Join the Parade (cassette and CD) was just nominated for Best Children's song for 2004 by Just Plain Folks. 140,000 songs were submitted in a wide variety of genres. The winners will be announced at an awards show in Hollywood, CA on November 7, 2004. Wow!

Keep an eye on my website. I've just learned how to make the updates I want so I'll be making changes and adding areas on my website that I've wanted to do for years! I'm starting with small things like getting all my product for sale on the site and updating my bio. From there I will take on other more involved tasks as I learn more.

Rachel's Fun Time is now on CD and now available on the website. Click on the link "Rachel's Music" or see http://www.rachelsumner.com/music.html#funtimespot

You will hear songs that played for years on The Learning Channel like Purple Train, I'm Special and more.

Join The Parade won Best Recording of the Year for Young Children in the Children's Music Web Awards! I am very proud since this award is the only children's entertainment award decided on by kids.

Good news for Nashville fans, Davis-Kidd Booksellers in Nashville is carrying my recordings again.

Many of you know my sister Wendy since she performs with me now and then. She and her husband had their first child May 24 at 1:15 AM. I was honored to be a coach during labor and the delivery with her husband. The labor was only 5 hours and 15 minutes. Wendy was incredible and the baby is a healthy 6 lbs. 7 1/2 oz girl. Her name is Serena Indira and she is beautiful. Both are at home now and doing well.

The Knowledge Tree stores are carrying my products now. They have 8 stores. Most of my product will be in the Memphis stores so call the other Knowedge Tree stores before you go. They can order my recordings, curriculum and video if they don't have them in stock.

I went to northern California and performed for four children's hospitals and a center for children with physical challenges. It was a moving experience for me. A couple of children at the special needs center participated in ways they hadn't in the past. Their teachers were excited and couldn't wait to tell their parents. I'd also like to share a little bit of this lovely letter I received from one of the hospitals. I'm so happy to have such rewarding work.

"We thank Rachel so much for visiting our patients and their families. Her songs were such a success with the kids. Even the children who are traditionally the quietest and most withdrawn enjoyed and even laughed during her time with them. The beside visits we so successful and (names of two children in the immune compromised unit) really perked up and smiled during her visit.

Such visits as hers enables us to engage patients and families in important "normal life experiences". Her special visit reminds us that even when children are hospitalized, they still need the involvement and connection of such activities. "

School Library Journal reviewed Join the Parade in their Dec. 2002 issue. Here is some of the review:
PreS-GR 2 - Rachel Sumner returns with her fourth Fun Time recording which offers a pleasing mix of upbeat music and spoken stories. Sumner has a voice that is particularly effective in broadcasting good cheer and energy. The mostly humorous and energetic songs are accompanied by a large number of instruments, including clarinet, cello, trombone and trumpet. . . . Liner notes give the lyrics so that older children may sing along. What makes the recording so appealing is the inclusion of several re-tellings of traditional stories that Sumner performs with great verve, using different voices and sound effects to make the tales even more appealing. Sumner is a strong storyteller and an energetic performer on this enjoyable collection. - B. Allison Gray, South Country Library, Bellport, NY

Watch for Booklist's review February 15th!

Watch for reviews of Join The Parade in the Nashville Parent (Nov.), Memphis Parent (Oct.), Augusta Parent (Nov.) and other publications nationwide.

Some of the stores carrying my recordings, besides my web site, are:
Nashville, TN: West End and Brentwood Borders locations, Davis-Kidd Booksellers
Murfreesboro, TN: The Learning Circle
Memphis and Jackson, TN: Davis-Kidd Booksellers
Raleigh, NC: both Six Forks Borders
Rochester, NY: Pillings, Borders
Erie, PA: Borders


Any bookseller can order my recordings through these distributors:Baker and Taylor, Wholesale Books, Inc., and Rachel's Records.

I'm sending promotional copies of Join The Parade out to parenting publications in the US, radio and satellite stations through out the world and filling out forms for awards. This is a lot of work! Watch for the article in The Tennessean on Friday August 30 in the Davidson AM section!!!

My new cassette/CD Join the Parade is finally here! Yipee! I am placing them in stores and on my site.