Get all 19 Monty Harper releases available on Bandcamp and save 50%.
Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality downloads of Be Your Own Superhero (single), Flying Spaghetti Music, Hanging Out With Heroes at the Library (EP), Santa's Laugh (single), Reading Songs Volume II: Catch the Reading Bug, Talk Like a Pirate Day (EP), Halloween Madness (EP), Dream Big! (EP), and 11 more.
1. |
Catch the Reading Bug
02:37
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The reading bug is loose
In a volume of Mother Goose
Now he's crawling behind a Sneetch
Now he's riding with James in a Giant Peach
The reading bug hops from book to book
And I've been told it's true
That if you catch the reading bug
His treasure will belong to you
1, 2, 3, 4...
Catch the reading bug. Catch the reading bug.
Catch the reading bug. Nya nya na nya na.
Catch the reading bug. Catch the reading bug.
Catch the reading bug. Nya nya na nya na.
That reading bug is quick
He's crawling the walls of Spiderwick
He's jumping like a flea
From Katie Kazoo to Junie B
You never know with that reading bug
Which book to look inside
No one's ever caught him yet
Though many a kid has tried and tried
Chorus
The reading bug hides his treasure in the
Library somewhere
They say whoever he shares it with will be
Rich beyond compare
Rich beyond compare
I've been chasing that bug since birth
From Busy Town to Middle Earth
He was not in the books I read
But I did find my own reward instead
And I'll tell you how to do it
If you want some treasure too
Just check out a big old pile of books
Take em home and read a few
Chorus
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2. |
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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)
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3. |
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Be creative at your library!
Inspiration is on the shelf!
Jump right in now, don't be shy baby!
Grab a book and express yourself!
I found a book about shapes and shading.
Step by step it shows what to do.
I've got my pencil. I've got paper.
I'm gonna sketch a face for you.
Hooray! Hoorah!
I'm learning how to… draw!
Chorus
I found a book about fancy footwork.
Step by step it shows what to do.
I've got my tap shoes. I've got music.
I'm gonna bust a move for you.
This is my - big chance!
I'm learning how to... dance!
I never knew I had such
Talent within me.
I love a challenge and I
Love my library.
Chorus
I found a book about props and blocking.
Step by step it shows what to do.
I've got my costume. I know my lines.
I'm gonna stage a scene for you.
It's true! It's a fact!
I'm learning how to… act!
Chorus
Be creative at your library (repeat and fade)
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4. |
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I used to lie awake late at night
Questions running round in my mind
Were there ever pirates here? Did they bury treasure near?
Could there still be treasure to find?
I used to pester my mom
I was a never-ending question machine
Why were mummies mummified? What did pyramids hide inside?
What do Egyptian hieroglyphs mean?
My mom said you should look for a good
book to help you to
Get a clue. (Become a biblio-slueth)
Get a clue. (In your pursuit of the truth.)
Get a clue. (Be where you need to be.)
Get a clue at your library.
I used to grumble at TV shows
When the information felt incomplete.
They just said a carnotaur was a vicious carnivore
So what kind of meat did he eat?
I used to bug my best friend
I was a question-popping pain on the bus
Will we ever walk on Mars? Is there life among the stars?
Are they out there signaling us?
My friend said you should look for a good
book to help you to
chorus
Now I still pester my poor mom
Whenever questions pester me
But these days I’ve been asking her
for a ride to the library
I found books about mummies, carnataurs,
and the lives of a pirate crew
If you have questions, check it out
You’ll be glad you decided to
chorus
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5. |
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D, E, A, R, Drop everything and read!
At my school they've got this thing called
DEAR Time.
It's my favorite part of any
week.
Eyes are locked on the clock that shows us,
and when that time arrives you'll know 'cause
that's when we get to drop everything and read!
D, E, A, R, Drop everything and read!
Listen to the sound of pages
turning.
Feel those brainwaves buzzing through the
halls.
Reading the headlines - that's our hamster!
Even the cafeteria staff are
dropping everything to answer to that call.
Now where's that page that I was on?
I dive back in and before to long
the world around me simply fades
away.
I'm sailing 'cross the seven seas
or swinging through the jungle trees!
My heart is racing! Teacher, hey,
we've got to do this every day!
D, E, A, R, Drop everything and read!
See the faces frowning when our
time's up.
Hear the gripes and groans as we
protest.
Teacher insists we'll read again
but I still wish it wouldn't end, 'cause
DEAR is the time I love the
best!
DEAR is the time I love the
best!
DEAR is the time I love the
best!
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6. |
Dog Books
02:58
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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!
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
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!
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
Nothing but dog books
Nothing but dog books
Nothing but dog books
Nothing but dog books
Nothing but dog books for my parents to read to me
Nothing but D-O-G
Nothing but D-O-G
Dog books
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7. |
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Her dad got up one Saturday
and went to check on Evalyn.
He found her in the middle of
a scrap heap on her bed.
And when she saw him at the door,
she dove to cover something up.
He asked her what she had to hide.
She turned around and said,
“Don't look! Don't look!
I'm making a book.
My illustrations are colorful creations of
paper and glue.
My story is oh so clever.
This is gonna be the best book ever!
I bet you can't wait ‘til I'm ready to read it to
you!”
By afternoon her floor was piled
with pencil stubs and paper balls.
She cut and wrote and wadded up.
She worked all through the night.
And every time her parents came
with trays of food or beverage.
They heard a repetition of
the rhyme she would recite.
Chorus
On Monday morning six o’clock
her mother came to wake her up.
The door was blocked from opening
by an eight foot paper wall.
She ran to dial 911.
The firemen chopped the door away.
All day they dug for Evalyn
but never heard her call.
Evalyn’s parents were sobbing for fear she might never be found.
The firemen dug into the night without taking a rest.
Then one joyful shovel broke through to the cavity under her desk.
A pale face peeked out and voiced this request.
Chorus
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I used to dream I was an astronaut
Standing on the face of the moon
But I’ve been reading bout space a lot
And I’m starting to revise my tune
I could do something never done before
I could build a city on Mars
Maybe I could even help design the ship
That will take us out among the stars
Yeah, I could be shooting for the stars
Dream big! (The more you read)
Dream big! (The more you succeed)
Dream big! (So jump in and dig)
And don't dream a little dream, dream big!
I used to dream I was a rock n roll star
With everybody cheering for me
But I’ve been reading bout the way things are
And thinking about the troubles I see
I could do something with the songs I sing
Like putting a smile on a face
And maybe if I reach enough hearts and minds
I’ll make the world a more inviting place
Yeah, I could make this world a better place
Repeat Chorus
I wanna be the greatest possible me
I wanna fill my cup
Give me a dream I’ll take it to the extreme
Pump it up, pump it up, pump it up, pump it up!
Repeat Chorus
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9. |
A Pet Like That
02:02
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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!
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If you want to write poems, read poetry.
If you want to play music, find your key.
If you want to be an actor, learn a part.
If you want to be an painter, study art.
Get creative!
Watch your brain waves bloom and grow!
Get creative!
The library is the place to go!
Find a recipe if you love to cook.
If discovery grabs you, get a science book.
Read a tech magazine if you'd rather invent.
Whatever your spark is, here's a hint...
Chorus
No one can stop you from unlocking your imagination.
Your library card is the magical key to endless inspiration.
Broadway, Memphis, Hollywood!
Pavarotti to Johnny B. Goode!
Pottery, sculpture, ballet, rhyme;
Take it all in, it won't cost a dime!
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11. |
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Chorus:
It’s a foot stomping rope swinging barrel of fun
There’s something in a book for everyone
To make your heart pound faster and your eyes pop out
And get you so riled up you just gotta shout
That the hero of the story is the one you wanna be
I love hanging out with heroes at the library!
Verses:
This diminutive detective always takes the case.
He leaves a note for his mom, then he’s off on the chase.
His clever dog, Sludge, helps him search for clues.
At times he finds he’s stuck and doesn’t know what to do.
Then a pancake snack sets him thinking straight.
Solve a mystery at the library with Nate the Great.
He's a noble-hearted canine and an old cowhand.
He gets no appreciation for protecting his land.
As the head of ranch security his life's on the line.
Sneaking up and jumping on a porcupine.
If something goes awry, he’s the cowdog to thank.
Making rounds at the library with good ol' Hank!
Criminals in Idaville are caught every time
By a sneaker-wearing weapon in the war on crime
Put a quarter on his can, he'll be your private sleuth.
He always sees the clues he needs to get to the truth.
Can you pick up the answers where they’ve been laid down?
Think about it with Encyclopedia Brown
The most talented detective in River Heights
She loves to take the case whenver trouble ignites
Her very best girl friends George and Bess
Are always glad to help her score another success
She’ll tackle any situation just to Get a Clue
Launch a new investigation with Nancy Drew
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12. |
Villa Villekulla Hula
02:41
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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!
(Chanting and Drums)
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!
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I read the book about Prancing Dancing Lily!
She's a dancing cow, and she looks so silly!
I read the book, me! I took it off the shelf!
I read the book, me! I read it by myself!
I read the book, me!
Reading makes me wanna dance out loud!
Like Prancing Dancing Lily!
I read the book Angelina Ballerina!
She's a dancing mouse; she's the best I've ever seen-a!
I read the book, me! I took it off the shelf!
I read the book, me! I read it by myself!
I read the book, me!
Reading makes me wanna dance out loud!
Like Angelina Ballerina!
Go, Angelina!
I read the book about Dumpy La Rue!
He's a dancing pig; he'll make you wanna dance, too!
I read the book, me! I took it off the shelf,
I read the book, me! I read it by myself
I read the book, me!
Reading makes me wanna dance out loud!
Like Dumpy La Rue!
(musical break)
I read the book called Dinosaurumpus!
With all kinds of dinos that thumpus and bumpus!
I read the book, me! I took it off the shelf!
I read the book, me! I read it by myself!
I read the book, me!
Reading makes me wanna dance out loud!
Like the dinosaurs!
Roar! Dance out loud!
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15. |
Meet Me at the Library
03:29
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She stole my heart in Stilwell
When she walked into my favorite cafe
Lost between a class in Muskogee and a party in Jay
She had a copy of the book I was reading
Proof that our love was fate
I didn't get her name or number but I did get a date
She said, Meet me at the library
We're gonna have a real good time
The computers are groovy you can check out a movie
And it's never gonna cost a dime
She said, Meet me at the library
How could I not say yes?
I wouldn’t miss a chance to start a new romance
At the EODLS! She said meet her at the EODLS!
I waited by the door to greet her
She never did show her face
So I asked at Information, was I in the right place?
Well I had found the right library system
But the lady had news for me
There were fourteen other locations where my love might be!
She said, Meet me at the library
We're gonna have a real good time
The computers are groovy you can check out a movie
And it's never gonna cost a dime
She said, Meet me at the library
How could I not say yes?
But what were the chances there’d be fifteen branches
At the EODLS!
She said meet her at the EODLS!
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Monty Harper Stillwater, Oklahoma
Monty Harper is a children's musician in Stillwater, OK. He performs for elementary schools and libraries, helps kids write their own songs in workshops and residencies, does informal science education, and writes songs for clients.
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