Time to Hunker Down

Winter is here! And in the northern states at least, translates to a cold, dark time of year. Winter is when many creatures hibernate. Bears, raccoons (kind of) woodchucks (think Feb. 2nd) - even turtles and frogs burrow down into the mud to await the warmth of spring. It’s a time to rest and rejuvenate. Deciduous trees do this well. The holiday’s are over, which means we can finally slow down, decompress, relax and do some rejuvenating our selves. So what to do during those long, cold, dark winter months?

Curl Up with a Good Book

Sitting down with your family, reading books, short stories, a chapter a night from a beloved favorite or an exciting new find, things that can be enjoyed by the whole family. Still feel like you’re scrounging for time? One family I know has a creative way of dealing with this issue. This family is very traditional in that the women (only) prepare dinner and clean up afterwards. It is a real joy for them to make dinners that nourish their family. The clean up afterward however would be a dreaded chore, except for the fact that the men stay at the table and read aloud to the family. Because of this, what would otherwise be a dreaded chore has become a beloved family time.

Say it With Song

Likewise I have friends who, years ago started “singing nights”. The thought was they wanted to have music be an integral part of their children’s lives. Once a week they invite friends, neighbors, and other families to join them and they sit down and sing all kinds of songs; children’s songs, silly songs, folk songs, beautiful ballad, fun, rollicking songs, family songs. And you never know what instruments you’ll find. Guitars, banjo’s, a squeeze box (sometimes 2 or 3), harmonica’s, fiddles, a stand up base, flutes, penny whistles, dulcimers, any number of percussion instruments including (but certainly not limited to) rattling eggs, hand drums, maraca’s. Sometimes there are no instruments. Sometimes their living room is full to overflowing and sometimes there is just their family. But the commitment is there and people of all ages are welcome!

Set Aside Some Time for Creativity

Flesh out all the ideas you’ve had percolating in your brain. Do you have an idea for a story? Have you thought you’d really like to learn to draw or even illustrate? I was once at a SCBWI meeting where renowned children’s illustrator Jackie Rogers was giving a lecture. It was fascinating to learn what goes into illustrating a book. I however can’t draw a straight line. In fact my artistic efforts have made people roll on the floor laughing, with tears falling down their cheeks. But that’s a story for some other time. What about trying your hand at songwriting? The musical end not your forte? Do the thoughts of trying to write lyrics give you the heebie-jeebies? Try collaborating with a friend or acquaintance. What better time of year and when better than now?

There's No Time Like the Present

What better time to go through Mama Bear's catalog and find something wonderful for your family? If you do write or illustrate a children’s story or song, why not join Mama Bear Productions? Who knows, it may just become a children’s classic! Best Wishes, Nancy Carey Johnson Creative Director, Mama Bear Productions