About the project

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In the summer of 2020, as we thought about ways to continue bringing musical theatre to our community in a safe and unique way, Executive Director Meghan Randolph began to resurrect an old idea for a children's book that she'd been kicking around for a few years. With little direction, she began doing some research, and came across the article "Black Lives Matter in Children's Books Too," from CNN. From there, the Children's Book Project was born. 

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The arts community has long been working to improve accessibility and representation. One thing we've learned is just how important it is to introduce kids to positive depictions of themselves at an early age. We also know that music and theatre enhance children's empathy, understanding, IQ, verbal skills, and more.

So, why not combine both? A story for now that will make a difference for a long time in the future, told with music that moves the narrative forward as in a musical. And so, we started learning about trends in children's books, tropes and fallacies in storytelling, and ways that our book could be most impactful. We committed to a BBIPOC creative team who could share their lived experiences in telling the story and found a remarkable group to write, illustrate, and compose the piece, which would feature characters that are pathetically underrepresented in children's literature, including BBIPOC kids and kids with disabilities or mental health conditions. 

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When it's all done, this multi-faceted project will consist of: 

• Print versions of the book in English and Spanish, with a playlist included to hear the songs as the book is being read.

• E-books in English and Spanish with the same playlist included. 

• An online "read-aloud" video featuring the illustrations, voiced, sung, and narrated by local youth actors and including an ASL translator. 

• Free distribution to 100 Dane County libraries, schools, and community centers

• Sales of the books for whomever would like a copy

• Visits to schools and libraries across Dane County to do readings, sing-alongs, and discussions with kids

• Online educational content that will include the sheet music and an adapted short play version for kids to act out with their friends. 

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Keep an eye on this page as this large project continues to develop! In the meantime, check out our research on children's books, literacy, music, and more, and follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates as the creative process moves along! 

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