In 1988, I released a cassette tape called “The Bellybutton Club”, filled with wonderful songs I had written for various children’s theatre productions I directed all over Washington State. These 11 songs are now on CD, beautifully, humorously illustrated by a fine folk-artist I knew in LaConner, Tin-Can Tillie, also known as Marjorie Kibbe. The result is the new “Bellybutton Club Coloring Book and CD”, available from me, and from Orca Books and Traditions Fair Trade Store in Olympia. I am so happy to have this great item to offer!

It’s the original music by the same great band that made it a joy to record: Aviathar on piano, Matt McClure on drums, Jamie Pullar Jr. on guitar, and Dan MacDonald on bass, assisted on various songs by Phil Nakano on horns and percussion, Tracy Spring on vocal harmonies, Paul Elliot on violin, Jim McLaughlin on harmonica, Kevin Christopher on synthesizer, Don Hitt on banjo, my daughter Sagesse, Matt’s daughter Kate, and their friend Diana Smith doing backup vocals. These are Skagit Valley and Seatlle-based musicians, and you are going to be impressed. Plus, I sing really well, if I do say so myself.

What’s totally cool is that a new generation is singing the songs and loving them. The first edition sold out fast, and the second is offered here. Each song has a lyric sheet, chords, and a chord chart so parents or kids can play along. Then there are the amazing, fun pictures to color. Songs include The Bellybutton Club, Cousin Calliope’s Traveling Show, Go Ask the Garden, The Mad Toad, The Great Slugslinger, The Six-Wheel Wagon, Power!, Monkey See - Monkey Do, Everybody Needs Friendship, Little Miracles, and All you Need is a Friend.

The Book Reader called this work “The musical equivalent of sunshine!” and went on the say it “...Holly’s songs deserve the Nobel Prize for gladness.” You know what? I agree! I get happy hearing this music, and I think you will too.

Contact me to order, or head to Orca Books or Traditions if you’re near Olympia, and thanks! Here’s to peace for all of us in “The Bellybutton Club”!

Love, Holly
February, 2009