Maybe you can relate. I have a significant quantity of content (videos, photos, quotes, graphics etc) scattered and stored on numerous platforms from YouTube to Dropbox to Google, a lot of it recorded and collected in 2020 and 2021 when I spent so much time alone. I was grateful for such a distraction - you probably know what I’m talking about.
The interesting thing though, is that I hardly ever think about this resource and in fact, I am often preoccupied with a feeling that I am not enough on social media, that I should be creating and uploading snappy, “compelling” and “engaging” reels and stories and posts for Small Talk Baby Podcast.
When I stumble on videos, like this one, I am reminded of how much awaits, in the ether, ready to be mined.
JAMAICA - When I’m in Jamaica, I am particularly preoccupied with creating new content. It seems like a missed opportunity because so many things make it easy to snap amazing photos, record in idyllic spots—geez, I’m living on a slice of earth’s paradise.
I love the natural light and I love the darkness here. The natural light — oh, it is a beautiful thing to behold at different times of the day. And the darkness is decked out in a galactic, breathtaking spread.
My library: I’m surrounded by 5000 inspiring books most of them written for children—skinny picture books— plus professional books and a modest number of adult fiction, non-fiction and biography.
When I decided to put down roots here, my ancestral home, I packed up most of my extensive collection of Baby Wordplay materials, books and props—a few of the dolls and animals expressed a desire to stay in Philly—and brought them here.
I give them big props for making the journey with me. I now have scores of beanie babies, puppets, stuffed animals, musical instruments, fabrics, toys and many unusual items that I have collected and used in the 40 years of storytelling/librarian joy as I brought songs and stories alive to young children and their families in a variety of settings.
Do You Know Which Ones Will Grow was published in 2011 and is an example of one of the many, less-known books that are a joy to discover at any age. I’m happy that it is still in print. My library, happily, is full of many hidden gems.
“Shea's book debut is a clever, rhymed test of kids' notions of living and nonliving things. Slaughter's illustrations bring pop art to mind.”
Stay tuned as I share more of this library of forgotten content!
Follow along with me… @babywordplay
YouTube, Instagram, Patreon, Facebook, Website, Spotify, Supercast, TikTok, Threads etc. …
I am enough!
The top video is from a Baby Wordplay in person storyplay at our first location in Graduate Hospital, Philadelphia circa 2016.
Do you know which ones will grow?