ReadingSongs.com • PSA • FAQ • Order • Contact • Monty Harper "Monty Harper is known for his library friendly songs" - School Library Journal

Parents' Choice Recommended Award NAPPA Honors Children's Music Web Award "Dance on the Bed Good" - MetroFamily Magazine "Monty Harper's Sgt. Pepper" - MetroKids "Fantastic Songs" - The Lovely Mrs. Davis   Quotes • Listen • Lyrics What people are saying...  "Monty's songwriting shines... Fabulous child-centered songs for home and school!"  - Fred Koch, Chicago Parent magazine, www.BestChildrensMusic.com  "Purrfect music for critters of all sizes!"  - Jeff Brown of "We Like Kids!", KTOO-FM, Juneau, Alaska  "Monty Harper is a masterful musical storyteller who makes great songwriting look easy."  - Will Hale of "The Family Groove" Kids Internet Radio Show, www.willhale.com Review: Paws Claws Scales and Tales - Monty Harper "If you're a children's librarian, I highly recommend Paws Claws Scales and Tales, even if you're not participating in the CSLP. If you're not a children's librarian, I still think you and your kids will like the album, which is fun musically and sophisticated lyrically. Recommended." - Excerpted from Zooglobble, 5/24/06 Reading Rewards Monty Harper has been a professional songwriter and performer for more than a decade. He performs for libraries, schools and festivals around the midwest, and works as a "songwriter for hire", churning out ditties for children about reading, nutrition, and other important topics. His Paws, Claws, Scales and Tales CD was inspired by the CSLP theme, and includes 10 songs about animals, pets and reading, plus two bonus songs and lots of extras to access on the computer. Limiting the focus to animals, pets and reading did not limit Harper's ability to write some fantastic songs. Frank Lloyd Wright once said, "Man built most nobly when limitations were at their greatest." He was right. The title track is evidence of Harper's "songwriter for hire" chops. He packs an impressive number of animal-book references into this upbeat, jingly, 3-minute pop song. On other tracks, he drops more animal-book references, including Loveable Lyle (the Crocodile), Walter the Farting Dog, and Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher. Harper has mastered the art of pop-song writing, and he has a youthful, sweet tenor voice to deliver the songs beautifully. - Excerpted from The Lovely Mrs. Davis Tells You What to Think, 8/2/06 CD is "Dance on the Bed Good" What do kids like almost as much as animals? Songs about them, of course, and Monty Harper's CD Paws, Claws, Scales & Tales delivers just that. The CD's music ties in to the Metropolitan Library's summer reading program of the same name. It's a collaborative program that is found in 36 states, including Oklahoma (visit CSLPReads.org for more information). As a mom, I enjoyed the music's diversity. My children (ages 2 and 4) loved the sometimes-silly lyrics and the fun rhythms that were easy to dance to. Spencer (age 4) proclaimed it "dance on the bed good." All of the animals that kids find irresistible are represented - from dragons and frogs to cats and dogs. The songs are so catchy, you may find yourself humming them later - like we did. Stillwater-based Harper is the singer, songwriter, and primary performer on the CD, and Harper can frequently be found at local libraries and venues performing his child-friendly music. Children of all ages and their parents can appreciate the smart lyrics that wind in references to books anod other songs - including the Beatles. A great accompaniment is the wealth of information available online (MontyHarper.com), including a list of book titles referenced in the songs, and background information on each. From the site, you can also sign up for a monthly email newsletter and free song downloads.  - Mari Farthing, MetroFamily Magazine, Oklahoma City, OK, July 2006 Monty Harper’s Best Yet Family music is full of regional favorites who make the rounds of schools. One such performer is Monty Harper, from Stillwater, Oklahoma. This singer/songwriter emphasizes reading in his music. Paws Claws Scales & Tales is his latest family-friendly CD, and despite its Magical Mystery Tour cover, this is Harper’s Sgt. Pepper; it’s his best work. The title track celebrates some of fiction’s favorite animals with the point that “it’s all about a bond of love.” “A Pet Like That” speculates, “Wouldn’t it be cool to own a pet like…” Mr. Popper’s penguins or Dr. Seuss’ cat. The standout for grownups is the Beatles’ parody “Eleanor Gerbil” (“Oooh, look at all that chewed-up cardboard”). In the world of kids’ music, there are lots of guys with guitars, but Monty Harper is one worth finding at www.montyharper. com or www.ReadingSongs.com - Kathy O'Connell, MetroKids, Philadelphia, PA, July 2006     Quotes • Listen • Lyrics • Send a PO Song Samples Click a title and while you listen to a portion of each song you can read the lyrics below. Paws Claws Scales and Tales I Took My Dragon For a Walk A Pet Like That Villa Villekulla Hula Dog Books Humming Bird Hum It's Hard to Love a Reptile Eleanor Gerbil Fred's Frog Flippy The Cat Came Back Paws Claws Scales and Tales Reprise Gimme Vegetables (Bonus Track) I Go Bananas (Bonus Track) Quotes • Listen • Lyrics • Send a PO   Song Lyrics 1. Paws Claws Scales and Tales Paws, claws, scales, and tails! Dig into a new adventure with beastly action. Paws, claws, scales, and tails! Get a book about a hero with animal attraction. Your library never fails To bring you paws, claws, scales, and incredible tales! Check out a story about a man in a yellow hat And the funny friendship he begins to forge With a little monkey making all kinds of mischief. Check out a book about Curious George! How 'bout a book about the house on East 88th. The Primms move in to find a crocodile. He's highly entertaining and he helps with household chores. Check out a book about a pet named Lyle! (Chorus) Check out this story about the Marquis of Carabas. He and his talking cat are in cahoots. He starts with nothing but the cat brings him love, land, and gold. Check out this story about Puss in Boots! How 'bout a book about a girl and her big red dog. He's a super pet, but there's one way he's always differed. Emily Elizabeth's dog is bigger than her house. Check out a book about a dog named Clifford! A story told about a pet Is not so easy to forget. It's all about a bond of love! (Chorus)   2. The Day I Took My Dragon For a Walk It was a ordinary day when I went out with my new pet. I was looking for a howdy from the people that we met. But my buddies ran away; you should've seen 'em move their tushes. Mrs. Goggins didn't greet us she just dove into the bushes. Her two poodles tried to bite us. Billy Dugan threw a rock The day I took my dragon for a walk. I took my dragon for a walk so he could do the dragon things Like flex his claws and preen his scales and stretch his little wings. I took my dragon for a walk for all the neighborhood to meet, But it's tough to meet your neighbor when he's fleeing down the street. My dragon must have figured we were playing hide and seek. He broke the Jensens' window leaning in to get a peek. Then he tilted up their roof, sniffed and sneezed a fiery sneeze. His tail flipped up a mini van, which landed in the trees. We left piles of burning rubble scattered up and down the block The day I took my dragon for a walk. I took my dragon for a walk so he could do the dragon things Like flex his claws and preen his scales and stretch his little wings. I took my dragon for a walk; a little knock around the town. How was I to know that he would mostly knock it down? As the dust began to settle and more car alarms awoke I climbed aboard my dragon and we flew off through the smoke. Now he's sulking in his cavern in the dark deserted hills, And I'm trying to convince him he should learn more social skills. You'd think he was a monster, from the way the people talk About the day I took my dragon for a walk! I took my dragon for a walk so he could do the dragon things Like flex his claws and preen his scales and stretch his little wings. I took my dragon for a walk. It did not go over well! But maybe he'll do better at my school for show and tell! 'Til then I'll watch that clumsy dragon like a hawk, Although my brother says my dragon is a crock And that I ought to see a certain kind of doc. The clean up crews are working round the clock, And the kids all crowd the yellow tape and gawk, Drawing dragons on the pavement with their chalk. Billy Dugan still appears to be in shock, And Mrs. Goggins cannot find Fifi or Jacque Since the day I took my dragon for a walk!   3. A Pet Like That Well, my mom brought home this hamster That her friend unloaded cheap, And she said since I'm the oldest It could be my own to keep, But I told her, "No thanks," cause I read this book Where a guy had a talking cat. Wouldn't it be cool to own a pet like that! Mr. Popper marches penguins. Jimmy's boa has a winning smile. Joshua Primm on East 88th Has a crocodile named Lyle. Jeremy Thatcher, dragon hatcher, Hatched a dragon named Tiamat. Wouldn't it be cool to own a pet like that! Unusual pets are running loose Through the pages of this book by Dr. Seuss. Here's a seven hump Wump! Could be just the thing! Or a tiny hopping Yop or a singing Ying! I could even dream a pet of my own design, Like a porcupooch or a rhinopine Or a triple-headed, chocolate-seeking, vampire bat! Wouldn't it be cool to own a pet like that! Now my sister owns the hamster, And she named him Polkadot, And his fur feels warm and friendly, And we play with him a lot, And he makes us laugh stuffing sunflower seeds In his cheeks till his face turns fat! It's truly cool to own a pet like that!   4. Villa Villekulla Hula I know a girl, just nine years old. She sailed back home from sea with a case full of gold, And where she goes she knows her monkey will go. See Mr. Nilsson tip his hat, "Hello!" She spent a coin to buy a horse. She always parks the horse on her porch of course, And when she makes to take a spin into town, She picks him up and lifts him down. I wish I could be like Pippi Longstocking! She's always entertaining and rarely stops talking! I love to sit and listen to her latest invention On the Villa Villekulla parlor floor! Pippi, tell about your father, the cannibal king. Captain of the Hoptoad, he comes in the spring And sails you to the island of Kurrekurredutt. You breakfast there on breadfruit and milk of cocoanut. At night the Kurrekurredutts dance around the fire. I can close my eyes and see them hopping higher and higher. Pippi, keep me in your trance and as the cannibals dance, I'll do the Villa Villekulla Hula, too! I know a girl, lives on her own, But with her horse and monkey she's never alone, Cause when she whistles a song those two sway along. They do the Villa Villekulla Hula, too! I wish I could be like Pippi Longstocking! I'd stay up after midnight, stomping and rocking! I'd never miss a chance to do a cannibal dance! I'd do the Villa Villekulla Hula, too! And if you want to groove the groove the Kurrekurredutts do, You'll do the VillaVillekulla Hula, too!   5. Dog Books My parents won't let me get the pet I want, So I thought up a plan to help them change their minds. I've been hitting the catalog hard, Using and abusing my library card, Digging up piles of books of a certain kind! Nothing but dog books in my backpack Nothing but dog books on my shelf Books where the dog is the kid's best friend Books where the kid gets the dog in the end Dog books for my parents to read to me Nothing but D-O-G I began my plan with Pinkerton, Behave! Then we read about Walter floating up to the sky. We solved a case with Nate the Great and Sludge. We shared an adventure with Henry and Mudge. We'll be laughing at Hank the Cowdog through July! (Chorus) Now I know I'm onto something when my mom sobs up a storm as The Preacher calls Winn Dixie in the rain, And I know I'm making progress when Old Yeller fights that wolf, and my dad lets loose a tear he can't contain! (Chorus) L: One Hundred and One Dalmations, Officer Buckle and Gloria, Clifford Saves the Day, Walter the Farting Dog, Martha Speaks, Surfer Dog, Shiloh, Saving Shiloh, Ginger Pye, Sounder, A Dog Called Kitty R: Balto, Lassie Come Home, Harry Cat's Pet Puppy, The Incredible Journey, Shiloh Season, Strider, Jim Ugly, My Dog My Hero, Where the Red Fern Grows   6. Hummingbird Hum Oh, Hummingbird! Oh, Hummingbird! Please come and hum for me! Hummingbird hum Hummingbird hum Hummingbird hum Hummingbird hum Humming along since you have no words Bright little jewel of the backyard birds Dressed in irridescent red and green Like a splash of paint on a summer scene Hummingbird hum (hummingbird hum) Hummingbird hum (hummingbird hum) Hummingbird hum (hummingbird hum) Hummingbird hum (hummingbird hum) You spy a wasp in your zinnia patch And it's Hummer versus Stinger in a quiddich match Your dodge and dive chase really tears up the air All because you do not like to share Hummingbird hum (hummingbird hum) Hummingbird hum (hummingbird hum) Hummingbird hum (hummingbird hum) Hummingbird hum (hummingbird hum) My new day is never ready to start Not until I've watched you hover and dart Humming along since you have no words Bright little jewel of the backyard birds Hummingbird hum (hummingbird hum) Hummingbird hum (hummingbird hum) Hummingbird hum (hummingbird hum) Hummingbird hum (hummingbird hum)   7. It's Hard to Love a Reptile The day when we learned the aquarium burned My sister went there to inquire, Could she answer the need to help shelter and feed A few creatures they'd saved from the fire. Dad was happy to take in a fish or a snake Knowing homes would be found for them later. But none of us thought she'd bring home what she brought A three hundred pound alligator! It's hard to love a reptile When you know that she don't love you back; When your gazes connect and you start to suspect She's been thinking of you - as a snack! And you can't cuddle up much cause being in her clutch You'd fear she may tear you apart. It's so hard to love a reptile With dry scaly skin, a wide toothy grin, And a three-chambered, cold-blooded heart! They'd named her Lucinda cause she was luesistic, Which colored her skin ghostly white. And the scales on her tail rubbed the sides of the bathtub Which kept me awake late at night. I glimpsed my demise in her steely teal eyes When she'd turn 'em to stare my direction. "Don't you worry," said Sis. "There is nothing amiss. She's just hungry for your sweet affection!" (Chorus) She ate like the dickens and swallowed whole chickens Without ever needing to chew. I was mighty relieved by the call we received When they'd found her a home at the zoo. As I said to Lucinda, "Goodbye greedy friend," a New feeling crept up from down deeper. I surprised even me when a tear trickled free And I blubbered out, "Why can't we keep her?" (Chorus)   8. Eleanor Gerbil Ooo, look at all that chewed-up cardboard! Ooo, what to do with all that cardboard! Eleanor Gerbil, Gnawing away at the edge of another page; Alone in her cage. Look at her working, Moving her castles of paper from here to there Why does she care? Gerbil, gerbil, rearrange. Make everything just so. What she thinks she's going to change, Only she can know. Bobby McDoogle, Slumped in a chair after school staring at TV; What does he see? Someone distracts him. A rodent in motion has broken his cartoon trance. Look at her dance! (Chorus) Ooo, look at all that chewed-up cardboard! Ooo, what to do with all that cardboard! Eleanor Gerbil, Poking her nose through a hole in her plastic cell; What does she smell? Bobby McDoogle, Standing and stepping away from the TV set; Greeting his pet. Gerbil, gerbil, rearrange. Make everything just so. What she thinks she's going to change, She and Bobby know!   9. Fred's Frog Flippy Fred's frog, Flippy is sitting on his rock Looking like he just might jump. Come on, Flippy, jump now. Come on, Flippy, jump now. Would it help to give your tank a little bump? Fred says, "A watched pot never boils, you know. Watched popcorn never pops. If you're watching an okapi, she will not stick out her tongue, And a watched frog never hops!" Fred's Frog Flippy is sitting in the water Looking back up at the rock where he was. You made me miss him jump, Fred! Ooo, he's gonna jump again, Fred! This time I'm wanna see it when he does. (Chorus) We stared at Flippy 'til our eyes grew old. We got bored so we just now stopped. Fred is opening up the tank now. Fred is lifting Flippy out now. Wait, Flippy, no! He hopped!   10. The Cat Came Back Poor Mr. Johnson had trouble more and more With a stray yellow cat meowing at the door. His allergy implored him to make her disappear So he kindly tossed her out upon her ear. But the cat came back the very next day. The cat came back. We thought she was a goner But the cat came back. She would not stay away. Mr. Johnson placed an open can of tuna on the track. The kitty sat there eating and forgot to watch her back. A mighty locomotive came chugging round the bend. Mr. Johnson thought he saw his troubles end. (Chorus) Mr. Johnson knew a bachelor who was going on a cruise. He convinced him that a cat would line the ladies up in queues. Indeed the yellow cat had drawn a beauty to his flank When the cruise ship hit an iceberg and it sank. (Chorus) Mr. Johnson freed a mouse near a bottling machine. The yellow cat chased it up the belt and in-between. We could hear the tortured yowling round the corner from the shop. For a week they made some fuzzy-tasting pop. (Chorus) Mr. Johnson kept counting 'til he knew eight lives had passed. He held on to the notion that the ninth would be the last. He locked the cat inside a rocket which he shot to outer space. The moon grew one new crater on its face. (Chorus) Mr. Johnson cried out in frustration and despair. He dreamed that night that his grandmama was there. She said, "The cat must really love you. She refuses to depart!" When Mr. Johnson woke he'd had a change of heart. "I'll keep that cat," Mr. Johnson said. "I'll keep that cat, since I cannot make her leave me. I'll find a way to make her my pet instead." But when he went to tell her, the yellow cat was gone. For a week he couldn't find her in the house or on the lawn But the day she finally showed up, she didn't come alone. She brought seven yellow kittens of her own! The cat came back, finally to stay. The cat came back. Anybody want a kitten? The cat came back. She would not stay away.   12. Give Me Vegetables! (Bonus Song) I'm a lean, mean, green-bean-eating machine. I'm a lean, mean, green-bean-eating machine. I'm a lean, mean, green-bean-eating machine. I consume more legumes than you've ever seen! Give me vegetables! Give me vegetables today! Don't gunk me up with junk! Give me vegetables now or get out of my way! I'm a muscle-bound tower of cauliflower power. I'm a muscle-bound tower of cauliflower power. I'm a muscle-bound tower of cauliflower power. Any crunchy kind of cabbage is the kind I devour! Down down down down down down down that little red lane... I'm a two ton, tongue-twisting, turnip terminator. I'm a two ton, tongue-twisting, turnip terminator. I'm a two ton, tongue-twisting, turnip terminator. If your roots turn up missing, I've been in your 'frigerator! (Chorus) I'm a vegetable magician. My ambition is clear. I'm a vegetable magician. My ambition is clear. I'm a vegetable magician. My ambition is clear. Leave a veggie on the table; I will make it disappear! Down down down down down down down that little red lane... I'm a lean, mean, green-bean-eating machine. I'm a muscle-bound tower of cauliflower power. I'm a two ton, tongue-twisting, turnip terminator. I'm a vegetable magician. My ambition is clear. Give me vegetables now; I will make them disappear! Down down down down down down down that little red lane...   13. I Go Bananas (Bonus Song) When a certain sweet smell blows in on the breeze I lift my head and bend my knees, Then I leap up like a lemur, searching high among the trees. I swing by my toes. I follow my nose 'til I find that fruity treat. I pick a bunch to begin, then peel back the skin, and... I go Bananas for bananas. Bananas give me energy. Whenever I eat bananas I go bananas. (2x) Swing your arms. Wiggle your tail. Dance like a monkey. Follow the banana trail. There's a certain sweet taste I find appealing When I get it it's a happy, silly feeling And it makes me wanna jump around like a chimpanzee ' Til my mother hits the ceiling. And every morning she gives me warning. She makes me take a seat. She says, "Your fate will follow from what you swallow, after all, you are..." Bananas for bananas. Bananas give me energy. Whenever I eat bananas I go bananas. (2x) Clap your hands. Scratch a flea. Dance like a monkey, climbing a banana tree. Everybody jump! Everybody spin! Now can't you just feel that jungle beat getting under your skin? Everybody stomp! Everybody twist! Once you unpeel that jungle beat your feet can't resist! There's only one word to describe this state of mind. So grab a taste of a tropical place and go - bananas! Bananas for bananas. Bananas give me energy. Whenever I eat bananas I go bananas. (2x) Swing your arms. Wiggle your tail. Dance like a monkey. Follow the banana trail. Clap your hands. Scratch a flea. Dance like a monkey, climbing a banana tree. Flex your muscles. Beat your chest. Dance like a monkey, eating what a monkey likes best! All songs ©2006 by Monty Harper Except "Humming Bird Hum," ©2006 by Monty and Evalyn Harper. All Rights Reserved. Reprinted here by permission. Quotes • Listen • Lyrics • Send a PO   Also Available from ReadingSongs.com... Reading Songs Volume I: Blast Into Books! Twelve songs to celebrate reading, books, and libraries! Song Samples • Lyrics Order the CD! ($12)

ReadingSongs.com • Join our mailing list! Name: E-Mail: