ABOUT THIS BOOK

Michael says that much of the inspiration for this book comes from his years in the elementary school classroom where music was an important part of his reading program. Music developed an intelligence in rhythm and an awareness of the rhythmic quality in language. So they sang a lot. Recited poetry. Beat out that rhythm on a desktop, shook rattles and tapped drums, rasped the teeth set in the jawbone of a dead cow. Then the poem surely becomes a tune. First from the heart, then into the head, out the throat, and onto the paper. That's what has been gathered here in this book. Tunes of the trees and rivers. Tunes of love. Dream tunes. Tunes of hope for children tomorrow dancing, singing, beating out that rhythm on the jaw of a dead cow.