On this episode we get to sail to the land of Mermaidia! Which means you'll get to hear our interview with author Julia Hengst where she tells us all about the wordplay filled mermaid world she created called Mermaidia. You’ll learn about her new book, "Venus Underwater: Songs from Mermaidia" and how mermaids use song, dance, and wordplay which can help you sort through your emOceans.  You’ll also get to hear some of the wonderful music that will bring this world to life.  And, as always, we have a couple of Buttons & Figs kids who were inspired by Julia’s mermaid world, who will show us their ways to wordplay….so let’s get started...

To learn more, visit Julia Hengst: venusandherflytrip.net
Illustrations by Ester Samuals-Davis: dirtyliketheweeds.com
Music by Rachel Panni and Alison Balano: NightskyMind.com

Buttons & Figs kids: Brianna and Ariyah
SFX by Zapsplat
Interview recorded via Zoom
Created and produced by Pamela Rogers
Mastered by Blaise Collins

EmOcean Play with Venus Underwater author Julia Hengst

Buttons & Figs is a podcast for kids about playing with words.

Kids & Family

Buttons & Figs is clearing the decks, taking out the trash, looking through the archives for gems that haven't yet be aired or heard or herded along or deserve to be heard again...hear here!

Wordplay Zone Archives: Safety Video

Buttons & Figs was so excited to learn that you still hear here we wrote a new song! for our fans! but especially for Buttons & Figs superfan HANK!  Here is Pantomime Hotcakes (aka The Hum Da Dumb Dumb Song)

Beryllium, Pantomime, hum
Hum, da, dumb, da, dumb, da, dumb, dumb

Beryllium, Pantomime, hum
Hum, da, dumb, da, dumb, da, dumb, dumb
 
Geology, astronomy Crypto-zoology
Telling ghost stories when it’s not halloween
The kids on the street say that Sheila’s so mean (WHAT?!)
She likes to lick rocks and also ice cream (YUM!)

Pantomime hotcakes for everyone
Pantomime hotcakes for everyone
Pantomime hotcakes for everyone
You can’t have them until they're done (Get it?!)
	
Beryllium, Pantomime, hum
Hum, da, dumb, da, dumb, da, dumb, dumb

Beryllium, Pantomime, hum
Hum, da, dumb, da, dumb, da, dumb, dumb
 
We have a fan and his name is Hank,
I don’t know why but you can take it to the bank (Cha-Ching!)
Aloicious, Sheila and Jimmie are back (WHY?)
Murder hornets, Bigfoot and Springheeled Jack

Pantomime hotcakes for everyone
Pantomime hotcakes for everyone
Pantomime hotcakes for everyone
You can’t have them until they're done (Get it?!)

Beryllium, Pantomime, hum
Hum, da, dumb, da, dumb, da, dumb, dumb

Beryllium, Pantomime, hum
Hum, da, dumb, da, dumb, da, dumb, dumb

{Sheila: I hate to state the obvious, but you sure say dumb a lot!}

Dog joke by Hank, from the podcast Adventures of Powerdog in Dogland!
Lyrics by Pamela Rogers and Mark Peña
Song is a parody of The Tra La La Song by Mark Barkan and Ritchie Adams from the Banana Split show
Midi modified from Online Sequencer/LeeBoss2005

Wordplay Zone: Pantomime Hotcakes (aka The Hum Da Dumb Dumb Song)

Wordplay Zone Archives: The Dentist

Huzzah! as Bluebullet likes to say! On this episode we share our interview with Dr. Drew Palacio, author of "Shrieks and Sounds and Things Abound - the Quiet Wants of Julien J." a fun-filled book of wordplay and nonsense, replete with Superhero advice for times of frustration, from Bluebullet himself - Huzzah! We also got the chance to share Dr. Drew's book with some of the students at Camelview Elementary School in Phoenix, Arizona and to record a few of their voices during their superhero night.

You can find "Shrieks and Sounds and Things Abound - the Quiet Wants of Julien J. at most online booksellers, such as Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Shrieks-Sounds-Things-Abound-Julien/dp/1953021506 
To see more of Apolline Etienne's illustrations visit: https://www.artstation.com/apollineetienne

Thanks for this episodes go to Dr. Drew Palacio for sharing his time and talent, Thanks to Camelview Librarian Savannah Tranguch, for loving wordplay and inviting us in, and thanks to all of the kids and families who recorded with us at superhero night.  A special thanks to students Ellie, Levi, Melany, Romel, Max and Grant for sharing your frustrations and for loving superheroes.  

SFX from Zapsplat

Bluebullet to the Rescue - Huzzah! - interview with author Dr. Drew Palacio

On this episode we share two original stories, written by the winners of the Independence High School scary story contest.  These stories are not for young ears, they are for brave souls who like their stories to simmer slowly (recommend ages 8+). The first, read by author Nathan, is titled, "Plastic Eye" a story that will chill you cold. Next you'll hear a haunting tale by Graham titled, "The Singing Bay".  This story will creep up on you, humming like the fog.  

Nathan (Senior) and Graham (Sophmore) are this year's winners of Independence High School's scary story contest, held by librarian Stephanie Ehrick.  Independence High is located in Glendale, Arizona.  

Special thanks to Mark Peña, Independence High School educator and haunted house builder.  

May haunting tales surround you this Halloween.  Happy Halloween from all of us at Buttons & Figs.

Sound fx from Zapsplat
Sea Shanty performed by Graham

EmOcean Play with Venus Underwater author Julia Hengst

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