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Take Me To Your Library

by Monty Harper

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Karl Reinsch
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1.
Take Me To Your Library 04:51
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I was lazing on the porch with a library book last Saturday night when my dog started howling and the sky took to pulsing with a purplish light. A great glowing gadget glided over the trees like a gigantic hamburger hanging in the breeze. Then the bun popped open, and a critter flew toward me like a meteorite. And I heard him say, "Akbo ekto <ptht> neeky wokky. Uptuck neewuk <pwoit> eeky bokky. Eppa leppa wakka wikka pikky pokky poo. Pobbalagga bigga bogga zibby zabba zoo!" He hit the ground bouncing with five arms flapping like a wacky disaster. He planted his foot and waved a dozen eyes at me while my heart beat faster. More nervous than a wiener in a hotdog stand, I said, "W-Welcome to Earth" and I held out my hand. Did he shake it? No, instead he pointed what I took to be an alien blaster. And once again he said,And I heard him say, "Akbo ekto <ptht> neeky wokky. Uptuck neewuk <pwoit> eeky bokky. Eppa leppa wakka wikka pikky pokky poo. Pobbalagga bigga bogga zibby zabba zoo!" The blaster went "Zap!" but I never looked back to see if I was OK, 'cause like a mouse at a cat convention I was rather busy running away. Behind me came the sound of that one foot thumping, or maybe it was only my own heart jumping. Either way the sky began flashing with a now familiar purple display. And from above I heard, And I heard him say, "Akbo ekto <ptht> neeky wokky. Uptuck neewuk <pwoit> eeky bokky. Eppa leppa wakka wikka pikky pokky poo. Pobbalagga bigga bogga zibby zabba zoo!" A bright blue beam dropped straight down around me from the burger-shaped ship, and it sucked me up like a straw full of soda with one quick sip. Then that five-armed fiend had me strapped into place with a dozen buggy eyes waving up in my face. He put the nasty looking blaster in the middle of my forehead and he let it rip. Well I yelped and twisted like a hyperactive poodle at the end of his chain, and I struggled for a spell before I noticed that I really wasn't feeling any pain. I was soon to discover that bug-eyed invader didn't zap me with a weapon. It was a nifty translator! Every word he said was now repeated by a happy little voice in my brain. What I heard was, "Akbo ekto <ptht> neeky wokky." "Hi! My name is Bob." "Uptuck neewuk <pwoit> eeky bokky." "I come from the planet <pwoit>." "Eppa leppa wakka wikka pikky pokky poo." "I’m here to study your science and culture." "Pobbalagga bigga bogga zibby zabba zoo!" "Please escort me to the nearest free public repository of information." In other words... Take me to your library! Take me to your library! "Pobbalagga bigga bogga zibby zabba zoo" means take me, take me, take me to your library! Well I showed my new five-armed dozen-eyed friend what direction to fly. And from the library shelves he grabbed histories, geographies, folk tales, art, and sci-fi. I recommended Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, and we checked them all out on interplanetary loan. Then Bob said he'd better get home, but that it didn't have to mean goodbye. So here I sit zipping along in that burger-shaped ship the sixth day in a row, and I've seen enough hyperspace I've been yawning like an Eskimo watching snow. One thing I figure I will desperately need for the trip back home is more books to read. So I've been practicing up and when we get to Bob's planet I know just how I’ll say hello: "Akbo ekto <ptht> neeky wokky. Uptuck neewuk <pwoit> eeky bokky. Eppa leppa wakka wikka pikky pokky poo. Pobbalagga bigga bogga zibby zabba zoo!" Take me to your library! Take me to your library! "Pobbalagga bigga bogga zibby zabba zoo" means take me, take me, take me to your library!
2.
Blast Into Books 02:34
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Blast into books and out of this world. Feel the cosmic wind on your face. Blast into books and out of this world. Chart your own adventures in space. Captain’s log, our sensors show a life form in distress. Ready the away team. Energize. Map another M-class planet on our mission to explore strange new worlds aboard the starship, Enterprise. I’ve seen Star Trek on TV; it’s pretty neat. But reading really puts me in the captain’s seat! You gotta blast into books and out of this world. Feel the cosmic wind on your face. Blast into books and out of this world. Chart your own adventures in space. I fly my x-wing fighter through a rain of blaster fire while my trusty R2 unit plots a course. From the planet city Coruscant to Endor’s forest moon I’ll protect the New Republic from the Dark Side of the Force. I’ve seen Star Wars at the movies and that’s all right, but when I read the novels I become a Jedi Knight! You gotta blast into books and out of this world. Feel the cosmic wind on your face. Blast into books and out of this world. Chart your own adventures in... your own adventures in space... Blast into books!
3.
Roundy Round 04:03
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People once thought the sun turned round the Earth, but the motions of the planets were too cryptic. Copernicus caught on we turn around the sun so now the planets’ orbits are elliptic. We go... Roundy round roundy round roundy Roundy round roundy round roundy Roundy round roundy round roundy round Roundy round roundy round roundy Roundy round roundy round roundy Roundy round roundy round roundy round Moons dance round the planets dance round the sun. The sun exerts some influence to enlist 'em. Newton knew it takes the pull of gravity to twist and twirl us through the solar system. We go... Roundy round roundy round roundy Roundy round roundy round roundy Roundy round roundy round roundy round Roundy round roundy round roundy Roundy round roundy round roundy Roundy round roundy round roundy round Picture yourself rolling head over feet on a carnival ride in a twirling seat at the end of an arm swinging up through an arc, which circles you and circles you high above the park, which rotates with the surface of the planet you’re on, which revolves in giant loop de loops around the sun, which spirals toward the center of the galaxy you’re in, expanding through a universe where everything spins! Roundy round roundy round roundy Roundy round roundy round roundy Roundy round roundy round roundy round Roundy round roundy round roundy Roundy round roundy round roundy Roundy round roundy round roundy round Now see if you can sit completely still while pondering this scientific notion: From electrons in your brain to massive supernova stars, every chunk of matter stays in motion! We go... Roundy round roundy round roundy Roundy round roundy round roundy Roundy round roundy round roundy round Roundy round roundy round roundy Roundy round roundy round roundy Roundy round roundy round roundy round
4.
Magical Madcap Tour 05:23
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You say you get tired of staring at those same four walls. The world is full of wonders and you want to see them all, from Albania to Zimbabwe. You got travel mania! Well, don’t go the hard way! You’d need a train to catch your plane. You haven’t packed? You’d better dash! Before your boat will even float you’ll need a big old heap of cash! Instead relax, and stick with me. We’ll do our traveling for free. We’ve seven continents to see! On a Magical Madcap Tour... Book a magical madcap tour around the world with me. Book a magical madcap tour at your library. Swedish meatballs, Italian ice, Polish sausages, Spanish rice: Such sustenance you’ll stir up on the continent of Europe. I thought they might be upside down like dragons dancing through the town. Those alphabets will amaze ya on the continent of Asia. Book a magical madcap tour around the world with me. Book a magical madcap tour at your library. A lion’s tongue is pink and wet but I think you’ll find you’d rather let an elephant or giraffe lick ya on the continent of Africa. Penguins play on glaciers clear while the day spins on for half a year. Says sun to sky, "Can’t part with ya," on the continent, Antarctica. Book a magical madcap tour around the world with me. Book a magical madcap tour at your library. My boomerang I thought I threw. Came back to me a kangaroo. If you’re not a gent, they’ll jail ya on the continent, Australia. "Life is rich in the brave new West, but mi amigo, I’ve one request: Stop poking me with Panama," says South to North America. Book a magical madcap tour around the world with me. Book a magical madcap tour at your library.
5.
Howdy Song 02:48
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In Oklahoma we say "Howdy!" ("Howdy!") In Oklahoma we say "Howdy!" ("Howdy!") So when you meet your friend on the street, you'll say "Howdy" if you're thinking on your feet. It's a mighty fine way to share your day with a fellow human being! In Mexico they say "Hola!" ("Hola!") In Mexico they say "Hola!" ("Hola!") So when you meet your amigo on the street, you'll say "Hola!" if you're thinking on your feet. It's a mighty fine way to share your day with a fellow human being! In Germany they say "Guten Tag!" ("Guten Tag!") In Germany they say "Guten Tag!" ("Guten Tag!") So when you meet your freund on the street, you'll say "Guten Tag!" if you're thinking on your feet. It's a mighty fine way to share your day with a fellow human being! In Japan they say "Konnichiwa!" ("Konnichiwa!") In Japan they say "Konnichiwa!" ("Konnichiwa!") So when you meet your tomodachi on the street, you'll say "Konnichiwa!" if you're thinking on your feet. It's a mighty fine way to share your day with a fellow human being! In Russia they say "Privet!" ("Privet!") In Russia they say "Privet!" ("Privet!") So when you meet your droog on the street, you'll say "Privet!" if you're thinking on your feet. It's a mighty fine way to share your day with a fellow human being! In the USA we say all of these and more, 'cause people living here came here from every single shore. Doesn't matter how you say "How do you do." It's a happy little holler, makes the world a little smaller. It's a message you send to connect to a friend. It's a mighty fine way to share your day with a fellow human being. Howdy, Y'all!
6.
Big World After All 03:11
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They say it's a small world but I wonder, how small can it be with so many people and so much diversity? From commuters jam packed in Japan to wandering shepherds in Afghanistan; from Malaysian rice farmers flooding their lands to Berbers herding camels on desert sands: Billions of people work hard every day, each in a special way, all over this world. In an Inuit Igloo made of snow; in a casa de adobe in Mexico; in a Hollywood mansion if you can afford it; on the space station spinning in Low Earth Orbit: Billions of people keep house every day, each in a special way, all over this world. 'Cause it's a big world after all. It's a big world after all. It's a big world after all. It's a big, big world. It's a big, big world. It's a big, big, big, big, beautiful world. In the synagogues of the Jews; at the shrines and temples of the Hindus; from the Southern Baptists in Bible school to the Whirling Dervishes of Istanbul: Billions of people worship every day, each in a special way, all over this world. Sometimes it feels crowded on this one little planet we share, but when we show respect for diversity we find there's plenty of room: plenty of room to spare! 'Cause it's a big world after all. It's a big world after all. It's a big world after all. It's a big, big world. It's a big, big world. It's a big, big, big, big, beautiful, big, big, big, big, beautiful, big, big, big, big, beautiful world.
7.
Grandma's House Tonight 05:14
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Backing out the driveway into the street, cars going by say, “Beep beep beep!” Stopping at the stop, look left and right, then it’s through the intersection and out of sight. We're on our way now to Grandma's, Mommy and Daddy and I. Won't that be a big surprise when we arrive... at Grandma's house tonight? Driving through the Lone Star, heck of a view. Cows going by say, “Moo moo moo.” Then we get a shocker in the rear-view mirror. Running down the highway is a longhorn steer. We're on our way now to Grandma's, Mommy and Daddy and I. With a longhorn steer giving us a "Cheer!" Won't that be a big surprise when we arrive... at Grandma's house tonight? We're heading straight for the Gulf of Mexico. Signs whizzing by say, “No no no!” Then we hit the water and it’s sink or bail, but swimming to our rescue is a killer whale. We're on our way now to Grandma's, Mommy and Daddy and I. With a longhorn steer giving us a "Cheer!" A killer whale dancing on his tail Won't that be a big surprise when we arrive... at Grandma's house tonight? We finally hit land. It’s a Florida Swamp. Something in the water goes, “Chomp chomp chomp!” My stomach starts churnin' like an escalator, ‘cause jumpin' on our bumper is an alligator. We're on our way now to Grandma's, Mommy and Daddy and I. With a longhorn steer giving us a "Cheer!" A killer whale dancing on his tail An alligator on the radiator Won't that be a big surprise when we arrive... at Grandma's house tonight? I think we may be lost now. It’s only a hunch. Snow beneath the tires goes, “Crunch crunch crunch.” We’re north of Alabama, but I don’t know where. Thumbing for a ride we see a polar bear. We're on our way now to Grandma's, Mommy and Daddy and I. With a longhorn steer giving us a "Cheer!" A killer whale dancing on his tail An alligator on the radiator A polar bear giving us a scare Won't that be a big surprise when we arrive... at Grandma's house tonight? South through Washington’s great state park. Dogs chasing something go, “Bark bark bark!” A little hairy guy with great big feet leaps out of the forest into our back seat. We're on our way now to Grandma's, Mommy and Daddy and I. With a longhorn steer giving us a "Cheer!" A killer whale dancing on his tail An alligator on the radiator A polar bear giving us a scare A Bigfoot guy sitting on my thigh Won't that be a big surprise when we arrive... at Grandma's house tonight? East through Arizona and the fossil beds. Teacher said the dinosaurs were dead dead dead. But the ground starts shaking like a discotheque, and dancing up behind us is Tyrannosaurus Rex. We're on our way now to Grandma's, Mommy and Daddy and I. With a longhorn steer giving us a "Cheer!" A killer whale dancing on his tail An alligator on the radiator A polar bear giving us a scare A Bigfoot guy sitting on my thigh Tyrannosaurus Rex breathing down our necks Won't that be a big surprise when we arrive... at Grandma's house tonight? Finally we’re cruising a familiar street. Cars going by say, “Beep beep beep!” We’re just around the corner and three blocks south from the driveway where we started: It’s Grandma’s house! And we all say “Hi” to Grandma, Mommy and Daddy and I With a longhorn steer giving us a "Cheer!" A killer whale dancing on his tail An alligator on the radiator A polar bear giving us a scare A Bigfoot guy sitting on my thigh Tyrannosaurus Rex breathing down our necks Now Grandma, aren't you quite surprised we've all arrived on your front porch tonight? Grandma says, “Super, the gang’s all here, but where’s that purple dragon that you brought last year?”
8.
Tropeo the Pirate 03:08
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Sailing in a garbage pail a little boy and girl approached a mighty clipper ship with pirate flags unfurled. Its wake upset their vessel and they tried their best to swim. The crewmen on the clipper threw a net and hauled 'em in. "What a funny pair of fish we've caught," they cried in mock surprise. "Shall we boil or bake or barbecue, or mince them into pies?" But a raven's rackety cackle made the crewmen quit their game And as their captain climbed the hatchway both the children breathed his name. Tropeo the Pirate, Terror of the Seas A turtle bit his legs off; he walks upon his knees. The raven on his shoulder speaks of dark and evil things. The sailors tell tall tales about how swift his saber swings. "We want to join the pirates!" piped the little girl and boy. We ran away from Mommy and our box of boring toys. We're tired of brushing teeth and combing hair and making beds. We'd rather plunder treasure with bandanas 'round our heads!" The crewmen roared with laughter as they rolled about the decks. "What's a mommy, what's a bed, and who's to save your scrawny necks? We'll feed you to the seagulls if you cry or whine or pout!" Said Tropeo, "To the brig they go, and turn this boat about." Tropeo the Pirate, Terror of the Seas A turtle bit his legs off; he walks upon his knees. The raven on his shoulder speaks of dark and evil things. The sailors tell tall tales about how swift his saber swings. "By thunder," rumbled Tropeo. "Those brats'll pay their way. I'll see they dive for pearls amid the sharks in Oyster Bay." Yet as he spoke the tykes were finding comfort in the hold: dry clothes, a bowl of chowder and a blanket for the cold. That very night a stunted figure stole the children from their beds, And careful not to wake them, tied bandanas 'round their heads. He put them in a lifeboat which he lowered to the foam. He bade the bird upon his shoulder, "Guide these pirates safely home." Then he grabbed the bird and whispered, "'tis a secret, what we do, and if e'er you breathe a word of it, I'll dine on raven stew!" Tropeo the Pirate, Terror of the Seas A turtle bit his legs off; he walks upon his knees. The raven on his shoulder speaks of dark and evil things. The sailors tell tall tales about how swift his saber swings.
9.
Out On the Beach 03:47
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Now we're home in Oklahoma but we'll always recall our family trip to California where we all had a ball and the sun rose plump as a peach, out on the beach. Out on the beach, Mom gave her money to the fella (On the beach) to rent a super-sized umbrella. (On the beach) Her umbrella caught the wind so well a sudden gale prevailing sent her parasailing down the beach. We came home with souvenirs, although a few were unplanned. Yeah, we can still clean out our ears and get a fistful of sand: Our own little personal reach of sunny beach! Out on the beach, we were collecting sand dollars (On the beach) and fancy shells with pretty colors. (On the beach) We found a few of them were crawlers. One put out a pincer and tried to pinch my sister on the beach. Although we'll never get a view of the ocean from here I know we'll often look back as we sail through the year. Someday we'll pile into the Subaru with all of our gear and head for California again...and hit the beach! California, California, etc. Beach beach, Mama, the beach. We're gonna wanna hit the beach, beach, Mama, the beach. We're gonna wanna hit the beach, beach, Mama, the beach. We're gonna wanna hit the beach. We can still see California in the pictures we took, and we filled up all the pages in our memory book with a dozen crazy stories each about the beach. Out on the beach, our dad was posing for a photo. (On the beach) We saw that big wave coming - oh, no! (On the beach) It sent him bouncing like a yoyo, and our pop flip-flopped till the water stopped and dropped him on the beach! Although we'll never get a view of the ocean from here I know we'll often look back as we sail through the year. Someday we'll pile into the Subaru with all of our gear and head for California again... and hit the beach! Fun fun in the sun, come running on the beach. Fun fun in the sun, come running on the beach. Fun fun in the sun, come running on the beach. Fun fun in the sun, come running on the beach. Mom's umbrella took her for a ride out on the beach. Sister picked the shells with crabs inside out on the beach. Dad was rocking in the rolling tide out on the beach. The waves were laughing and the seagulls cried out on the beach.
10.
Books Ahoy! 03:14
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Books, ahoy, mates, books, ahoy! Here's a book that wants a captain. Can we find a girl or boy? Set your compass for adventure, weigh your anchor and enjoy. Books, ahoy! Books, ahoy! Books, ahoy, mates, books, ahoy! Sail this book with Fern and Avery through a summer on the farm where the sheep has shared the secret that the pig will come to harm. Farmer Zuckerman intends to turn poor Wilbur into ham. Can a wonder weaving spider spin him out of such a jam? Sail with one terrific humble pig celeb in the good book, Charlotte's Web. Books, ahoy! (Books, ahoy!) Books, ahoy! (Books, ahoy!) Books, ahoy, mates, books, ahoy! Here's a book that shows a blusterous wind can always be withstood. Raise her sails; that wind will blow you through the Hundred Acre Wood. Trap a heffalump or two or track some woozles if you dare with a nervous little piglet and a honey-hungry bear. Sail with Rabbit, Eeyore, Kanga, Owl, and Roo in the good book, Winnie the Pooh. Books, ahoy! (Books, ahoy!) Books, ahoy! (Books, ahoy!) Books, ahoy, mates, books, ahoy! Here's a book that wants a brave and daring captain in command. Fly with Wendy, John, and Michael on a trip to Neverland. Captain Hook and all his pirates will attempt to run you through, but their efforts will be thwarted with a "Cockadoodledoo!" By the boy who'll never grow to be a man in the good book, Peter Pan. So many books for you to choose from! So many seas that must be crossed! And whichever book you board, whatever point you sail her toward, she'll be stormed upon and tossed. But don't dismay when she starts to pitch and sway; she will weather every squall. When you bring her safely in and you're set to sail again, just cup your hands and call, Books, ahoy! (Books, ahoy!) Books, ahoy! (Books, ahoy!) Books, ahoy! (Books, ahoy!) Books, ahoy! (Books, ahoy!)
11.
Diving in the Deep Blue Sea 04:29
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I dance among the dolphins in the shifting light. I duel a spiny lobster 'til he backs out of sight. I fly behind a turtle like the tail on a kite as she heads out from her island nest. We glide above a pirate ship sunk long ago. Her coral covered decks enjoy a fashion show with damsel fish and clown fish flitting to and fro. It's more dazzling than a treasure chest. I love going diving in the deep blue sea. There's an underwater wonderland surrounding me when I'm diving in the deep blue sea. Diving in the deep, I just wanna keep on diving in the deep blue sea! An octopus and I play hide and seek with a snail. Our game is interrupted by a humpback whale. He dives and I dive with him, hanging onto his tail. We're descending to the deep sea floor. Down here in the darkness creepy creatures convene, like luminescent jellies glowing blue and green. Here's a fish that flashes like a pinball machine. I'll bet no human's ever seen it before. That's why I love going diving in the deep blue sea. There's an underwater wonderland surrounding me when I'm diving in the deep blue sea. Diving in the deep, I just wanna keep on diving in the deep blue sea! What's next? Another descent! I want to see the tube worms at a hydrothermal vent. What then? The giant squid! They've never shared their secrets, but it's time they did. There's so much ocean to explore, life on land can seem such a bore. Oh, please don't make me go ashore! I just want to keep diving in the deep, diving in the deep blue sea. Gradually I'm noticing a voice in my ear. My mother's calling, "Son it's time for dinner, dear." I look up to the surface through my scuba gear and I know my diving day is through. So I slowly close the cover of my library book. It's one that's kept me dangling like a fish on a hook. I'll be angling for the chance to catch another look 'cause it's all about the deep deep blue. Someday I'll be going diving in the deep blue se. With an underwater wonderland surrounding me. I'll be diving in the deep blue sea. Diving in the deep, I just wanna keep on diving in the deep blue sea diving in the deep blue sea diving in the deep blue sea!

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Go diving in the deep blue sea, take a wacky tour of the continents, sail with pirates, blast off to outer space, bring some unexpected friends to Grandma’s house, hang out at the beach and more. These fun and humorous songs celebrate reading and travel.

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released January 1, 2003

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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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