Being Silly

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Being silly when I’m writing for kids is a big part of what makes it fun for me…and them. If I create a talking toad or a laughing lizard, kids are just fine with that. So, knowing that kids don’t mind if the hero of a story or poem is only 1 inch tall makes for some funny plot twists.

There seem to be so many “rules” for writing. And when I consider how many different kinds of books and authors are a huge success, I wonder who made up the “rules”. Many times I read excerpts from a bestseller, and I just don’t get it. And then I’ll find something I love from a writer who has no success whatsoever. Go figure.

I boil it down to the uniqueness of every human being. While we share so many similarities, we have so many things about us that are uniquely US. With access to the internet, we can connect with others who “get” US. Then we can build a small (or big) community of like-minded readers and writers who can discuss what we like or don’t like about what so-and-so wrote.

My connection tends to be with people like Dr. Suess…and people who love Dr. Suess books. I’d like to think he and I could have been good friends if we lived at similar times in history. And while I’m no Dr. Suess…I can confidently say he was no Tony Funderburk.

Being Silly

You could shine just like a diamond in sunlight.
You could be a star and light the whole dark midnight.
And you could be a daffodil or tiger lily,
But nothin’ quite compares to being silly.

You could make a frown and wrinkle up your whole face
You could walk into a room and freeze the whole place.
By why would you want to make someone so chilly,
When nothin’ quite compares to being silly?

You could be a superhero on a mission
Or a fairy helpin’ people with their wishin’.
You could make a funny face at Uncle Willy.
Yeah, nothin’ quite compares to being silly.

Your email address is all it takes to get encouraging, regular issues of my Tony’s Daily Devotional . It comes directly to your inbox so you spend your valuable time reading instead of searching. And, to show my sincere appreciation for your time and attention, I’ll send you download links to 2 of my Christian books for kids and 2 songs, right away, that grownups AND kids can enjoy.

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Sunday is a sunny day
Right from the very start…
As long as sunny sunshine shines
In every sunny heart.

And…

If you love this sunny day,
Then make the best of it.
The next day will be sunny too.
A sunny Monday hit.

Stay tuned,

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Hey kiddos…have you ever heard someone say “you got a lotta nerve?” Usually they don’t mean that in a good way. It’s usually someone thinking you shouldn’t have said or done what you just said or did.

Like maybe you just told a guy his purple mohawk looks goofy. And he says, “Hey, you got a lotta nerve.” Here’s a hint…if you see someone who has a purple mohawk or someone else who has one yellow shoe and one pink shoe…or someone else who likes to eat prunes…

I know you got a lotta nerve, but don’t tell ’em they look goofy.

You can think it to yourself, but don’t say it out loud. You’ll either make ’em mad or make ’em sad. Either way, it’s best to just keep on walkin’ and whistlin’. That other stuff is just small stuff, and you should never let the small stuff get to you.

Today, I’d like to share another way of saying you’ve got a lot of nerve. See if you can tell the difference. And see if any of it describes you…or if you’d like it to…

You got a lotta nerve sayin’ you’re gonna climb that tree,
And run that race,
Or ride that bike,
And camp out in your own teepee.

You got a lotta nerve sayin’ you’re gonna read that book
And learn that math
Or clean your room
And hang your coat on the coat hook.

You got a lotta nerve sayin’ you wanna be your best
And dress real sharp
Or stay real clean
And be happy and not depressed.

You got a lotta nerve sayin’ you wanna do what’s right,
But keep that nerve
And don’t give up
You’re a winner in God’s good light.

Stay tuned,

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Do I sit around conjuring up rhymes and riddles and razzamatazz? Maybe…maybe not. Truth be told, I’m not always sitting when ideas for my writing for kids pop into my head.

In fact, I was in my back yard watering the lawn today when a few lines came to me. It was just some thoughts I had about the future. Since I don’t believe the future is set in stone, I thought about how we take things for granted that might not always be taken for granted. Typical things like whether or not the sun will come up tomorrow. You know, there’s really no guarantee that everything will be the way it’s always been.

But that’s no reason to be upset or afraid. It just means we need to get as much learning and understanding as we can. And I’m a firm believer in understanding one another is the key to treating each other better. And treating each other better has a lot more to do with “maybe” than “maybe not”.

Maybe, Maybe Not

Will the sun rise in the morning?
Will the temperature be hot?
Will the sky be blue and sunny?
Well, maybe…maybe not.

Will the songbirds all be singing?
Will the breezes blow a lot?
Will the leaves lift up their laughter?
Well, maybe…maybe not.

Will some words of wisdom visit?
Will the books all have a plot?
Will we read some happy stories?
Well, maybe…maybe not.

Will the world go on forever?
Will the getting all be got?
Will we all be nice to others?
Well, maybe…maybe not.

Stay tuned,
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Writing For Kids At The Day By Day Cafe

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

There’s a very special eatin’ establishment…I’ll call it the Day By Day Cafe…where a kid can order his own breakfast, sit in a comfortable chair, and feel just right.

Writer singer, Tony Funderburk, is writing for kids at the Day By Day Cafe.

Does this cafe really exist? Is it just a figment of my nostalgic imagination? I think maybe it still does exist in living color. In fact, maybe there’s a chain of the Day By Day Cafe restaurants all across America. Maybe you’ve been to one. Or maybe you’ve always wished you could visit one and see what those other lucky people are doing in there.

You can order up an orange juice
Order up some toast.
You can order up the sandwich
That you really like most.
You can order up a root beer
And drink it right away…
At the Day By Day Cafe.

You can have a bowl of cereal
And not a thing more.
You can order watermelon, and
Eat it off the floor.
Get all your favorite loony tunes
And let ’em all play…
At the Day By Day Cafe.

You can order up some breakfast
And order up some lunch.
You can order up tortilla chips,
And have a light brunch.
You never have to leave this place.
The owners let you stay
At the Day By Day Cafe.

Stay tuned,
Tony Funderburk, THE writer-singer-illustrator for kids and life in Denver talks about his first 7 ebooks for kids.

P.S.  Get my ebooks for kids on Amazon.com
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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

It’s true…you never can tell who you might run into as you’re going about your day and your errands and your routine. But since so much of what we do can, in fact, become a routine, we humans have a tendency to get in a rut. We let down our guard. We might not dress up to go out. Or clean up before we clamor through the day.

That’s not so bad. None of us can look or be our tip-top best every minute of every day. But worse than looking less than our best, we might not remember to think of others. We might let ourselves be cranky…or even downright mean.

But we should be on guard.

Because you never can tell who you might meet. Or who might need your help. Or who might have a favor to ask. Or who might introduce you to someone else.

I started out writing something, a few minutes ago, that I thought was going to be something other than what it turned out to be. But in the rainbow halls of my imagination…as I got about three lines into it, it went a whole different direction. And it proved to me once again that you never can tell…

Tinkling trinkets twinkled through the tiny town.
Lots of lemon drops were lofted by a clown.
And the muffins made with mandarin were sweet…
As the fireworks and fireflies lit up the street.

With one glance a glad glissando glided by…
And a perfect pizzicato pierced the sky…
You might ask where was this wonderment beheld…
I won’t tell you, and I cannot be compelled.

‘Less, of course, you’d share the shelter of your shade
With the people passing by in the parade.
Then I’d treat you to the treasures tendered there
As you aided an archangel unaware.

Stay tuned,

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Today I have a morning story for kids about a morning story for kids. Yep, sometimes when I’m writing for kids, I like to take them to places inside of other places. Something inside something else becomes a third thing. And the third thing is almost always more interesting and fun.

Are you with me? Does it sound silly, loopy, wacky, and zany? Good. Then, I’m on the right track. Without further ado, here’s the story…

Aunt Louise read a morning story for kids.

She started out by taking smiling bids.
“Whoever smiles the best,” she’d say,
“Will have their favorite read today.”
And every kid beamed out their smiling bids.

Aunt Louise picked Jacob’s ducky smile.
She said, “You quack me up with your duck style…
So, what would you like read today?
What story’s in your head today?”
And Jacob paused to think for just a while.

“How ’bout the story ’bout those crazy ducks
Who wear hardhats and drive around in trucks?”
Yeah, Jacob likes the silly stuff.
He never seems to get enough.
His favorite book is one called “Ducks Deluxe”.

So Aunt Louise began to read the book,
And “once upon a duck” was all it took
For all the kids to laugh out loud
As much as Aunt Louise allowed…
While Jacob made his dopey ducky look.

Well, Aunt Louise thought it was funny too.
She said, “Hey kids, here’s something we can do.
We’ll have some reading fun today,
And after we are done today,
We’ll go and see the ducks out at the zoo.”

So Aunt Louise began to read again,
And all the kids let all the words sink in.
They knew that they would go and see
The duck and bear and chimpanzee…
And all because of Jacob and his grin.

Your email address is all it takes to get encouraging, regular issues of my Tony’s Daily Devotional . It comes directly to your inbox so you spend your valuable time reading instead of searching. And, to show my sincere appreciation for your time and attention, I’ll send you download links to 2 of my Christian books for kids and 2 songs, right away, that grownups AND kids can enjoy.

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Right This Minute

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Right this minute ask yourself this question…

“Am I doing what I’m doing right now because it makes me happy…or am I doing what I’m doing because I’d like to help someone else be happy.”

Either one is OK, but it’s really so much better and so much fun to help someone else. If you only look at what makes you happy everyday, you can become selfish. And being selfish means you’ll spend even more time on what makes you happy everyday. And then you’re stuck in a circle that’s like a clock…it goes ’round and ’round but never gets anywhere.

Now…right this minute…or right after you read the short poem below, go find someone who needs a smile. And give them two or three smiles. If you do, they might even give you one or two back. And that makes a circle that looks like a wheel…it spins ’round and ’round and goes wherever you steer. So, steer clear.

This Minute Is

This minute is your minute.
Go ahead and jump in it.
One sparkle and one twinkle
One snowflake and one sprinkle.

Be sunny and be cheerful.
Skip worried and skip fearful.
Keep smiling and keep living.
This minute is for giving.

Your email address is all it takes to get encouraging, regular issues of my Tony’s Daily Devotional . It comes directly to your inbox so you spend your valuable time reading instead of searching. And, to show my sincere appreciation for your time and attention, I’ll send you download links to 2 of my Christian books for kids and 2 songs, right away, that grownups AND kids can enjoy.

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Mother's Day 2013

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Happy Mother’s Day 2013

to all of you ladies who “took one for the team” as you…

withstood the months of pregnancy

withstood the pains of childbirth

fed your babies when they cried at 3 a.m.

fixed “boo boos”

kissed away pain

hugged away frowns

cooked breakfasts, made lunches, and prepared dinners

washed clothes even after laundry was all done

taught truth, hope, and love…and readin’, writin’, and ‘rithmetic

fought tangled hair, torn pants, and missing shoestrings

remembered birthdays with just the right proportion of chocolate icing to vanilla ice cream

listened to stories of triumph, tragedy, and utter despair (mostly from teenage girls)

made or bought costumes for every goofy event imaginable

went to plays, sporting events, and music presentations…cheering for that one child who was obviously the natural born talent

brought the “something borrowed” or “something blue” to the bride-to-be just at the right time

danced the mother/son dance with the groom who had been her dragonslayer only “weeks ago” it seems

made special homemade desserts for the kids and grandkids when they came over for Thanksgiving

brought an elegant grace to the process of aging

made us believe there’s a forever, a God who loves us, and a knowledge that we’ll have eternity in paradise

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Saturday Gladder Day

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

When I was a kid, Saturday meant one of two things: cartoons…or going to work with my Dad on his milk route. Well, to be clear, I didn’t have to go to work with my Dad until I was about 12 and up. So cartoons were the Saturday morning routine until then. But after about my 12th birthday, my brother and I were required to work on alternate Saturday’s in those early, early morning hours of a milkman.

Tony Funderburk's writing for kids includes Saturday morning cartoons and ridin' with the milkman.

At the time, like any typical kid, I didn’t really want to go do the milk route on those dark, early morning shifts. I figured I was missing out on all the fun all those other kids were getting to do while I was walking gallons of milk, pounds of butter, and sour cream to the doors of scores of houses. Ironically, after the fog lifted (from my eyes and from those south Texas roads), I actually enjoyed the day hanging out with my Dad. It was just the getting up at 3:00 a.m. I dreaded each week.

It’s funny how time can so drastically skew your perspective. My Dad passed away a little over 27 years ago. He was 7 years younger than I am now, and he endured 9 years of “terminal kidney failure” before relenting his life. So, I can see through the eyes of maturity that each day is a gift from God. And each day each one of us is given choices…happy or sad…serve or be served…truth or lies. I choose life, happiness, and truth. It’s the only way to make…

Saturday Gladder Day

Throw the gloomy out today and just be glad today.
Saturday’s the very best day that we’ve had today.
You could choose to have a frown and make a sadder day
Or set free your smile and have a gladder Saturday.

As for me, I’m thankful there’s a shiny sun today…
Even if I find out I’m the only one today.
All my needs are served up on a silver platter day…
And that’s how I know I’ll have a gladder Saturday.

Stay tuned,
Tony Funderburk, THE writer-singer-illustrator for kids and life in Denver talks about his first 7 ebooks for kids.

P.S.  Get my ebooks for kids on Amazon.com
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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Whether you’re 3 or 300, you should never give up on your ability to dream the dreams that could help others.

You’re a wonderful design…a unique creation of God. You’re not exactly like any of the other 7 billion people on the Earth. So, whether you’re sleeping or awake, your dreams won’t be exactly like anyone else’s either.

Of course, sometimes we dream the dreams our minds put together from a mish-mash of things we did during the day. They don’t make any sense. They’re just for fun. If you’ve ever dreamed about flying high above the trees or clouds, you know what I mean. In real life you can’t do that, but in your dreams it’s so much fun.

Other times you might find yourself sitting in the shade of your favorite tree just thinking. Those are times when you can dream impossible things…and then use your wonderful brain to think of ways to make those dreams come true. Many famous inventors had some of their best thoughts under a shade tree, or in a swing, or sitting at a desk with their eyes closed. Just remember, when you take the time to daydream, you should also take the time to write down your best ideas. You might not use them right away, but you can never tell when they’ll come in real handy.

I wrote a special poem to dreamers today…because I woke up this morning after one of those silly kinds of dreams. I hope these rhymes encourage you to dream the dreams that can only come from inside your special mind.

Dream The Dreams

Waking up from silly dreams
Isn’t silly as it seems
Because dreamers are what makes the world go ’round.
With those pictures in your head
As you rise up out of bed
You might find the thing that needed to be found.
You might dream of flying cars
That go cruising through the stars,
Then design a brand new turbo rocket ship.
You might wake up from your sleep
With an awesome way to keep
People safer when they’re going on a trip.
What if you could dream a dream
That, to some, could sound extreme.
But your idea helped to ease a lot of pain?
Well, put on your dreaming hat
‘Cause we need more dreams like that,
And they’re waiting to be dreamed inside your brain.
If you’re eager to create,
And you find you just can’t wait,
And your dreams are overflowing from your ears,
Take a breath and write ’em down,
With a smile and not a frown.
Then your dreams become ideas you’ll have for years.
When you dream, don’t think it’s odd.
Dreams are thoughtful gifts from God.
They can help to give your weary mind some rest.
So relax and dream away.
Every day’s a brand new day
To begin to dream the dreams that you dream best.

© 2013 Tony Funderburk

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

It occurred to me that most of my writing for kids comes from the perspective of happiness and optimism. And today I just happened to think, “Hmm…maybe not everyone is feeling happy and optimistic right now”.

Sure, there’s a lot of bad news out there. People just don’t seem to be able to get along. For some reason some people want to be king of the world and make everyone serve them. But we don’t have to be like them. We can do so much more in our lives when we look for ways to serve others. Think about it…when you do something special for your mom or dad or sister or brother…don’t you feel great?

That’s the funny thing about problems and troubles. When we focus on them, they look bigger and badder than they really are. Then we make it worse by focusing on them even more, and then they look even bigger and badder. And it just gets worse and worse.

But when we learn to look for answers instead of staring at the problems or complaining about the problems, we start to work our brains in a really good way. As I often say…when things get you down…look UP! Like this…

When you’re really in the middle
And you’re feeling like a riddle,
And you start to get a little bit down…
Take your eyes off all your troubles.
Let ’em float away like bubbles.
When they pop, then I bet you can’t frown.
When you think your life is rotten…
All the good things have been gotten,
And the world’s takin’ more than it gives…
Start to laugh and start to winkin’.
You can stop that stinkin’ thinkin’.
That’s the way that a happy kid lives.
Yeah, your face might get all flappy
When you walk around so happy,
But your life is gonna mean much more.
Now go be a sparkling fountain
Or a bright light on a mountain
‘Cause your Maker’s got a lot in store.

Stay tuned,

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

I could ask a profound question of grownups like, “Any ideas what you will be doing in ten years?”

And I could get some profound answers, some unprepared answers, and even some who would say they don’t really have an answer. But what if I asked little kids that very same question? Or what if I asked them that question…and then I gave them a bunch of choices in the form of questions?

Well, since my specialty is writing for kids, I wrote a few of those questions so we don’t have to wonder. If you have kids, read ’em this verse and see if they have other thoughts on what they’ll be doing. I bet they’ll have some of their typical delightful ideas…

What will you be doing
When you’re not doing what you’re doing?
Will some pieces need some gluing?
Will your feet both need some shoeing?
Will your smile replace boo-hooing
When you hear a big cow mooing?
Will you watch some hot tea brewing?
Will you smell a pot roast stewing?
Will you see a bear pursuing
When you go somewhere canoeing?
Will it all be your undoing
When you’re doing what you’re doing?

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Your Story Matters

Have you read or heard this quote from a writer who said, “If matter’s all there is, then nothing really matters.” Let’s see…who was that? Hmm…oh yeah…it was me. And I said it for a very good reason. Because you’re the only you.

See, it’s like this. Whether I’m writing for kids, grownups, or the whole kit and kaboodle, I’m writing for you because your story matters. (by the way, “reason” isn’t found in matter)

And your story matters because you’re created. You didn’t just happen. And the story of who you are and why you look and sound the way you do is written inside the cells of your body. It’s like a secret code, only it’s not a secret anymore. Your code is yours and no one else has the your code. And this is true of every person on the earth. Big or little. Fat or skinny. Blue or pink.

If we took the code inside of you and used a special decoder ring, we could read the one book in the world written just about you. It would tell us why your singing voice is so nice…or why you can’t carry a tune in a bucket. It would tell us how you grew up to be a 7 foot basketball player in the NBA…or a 5 foot jockey in the Kentucky Derby. Well, your code wouldn’t tell us how you won a place in the NBA or the Kentucky Derby, but it would show us why you’re tall or short.

Imagine how many other things we could learn by reading the teeny, tiny instructions in each of the trillions of cells in our bodies. But then there wouldn’t be time to read or do anything else. You can just be sure that…

Your Story Matters

Inside a trillion tiny cells
Where no one’s eyes can see…
A trillion times your story flies
On sparks of energy.

That energy is life itself
The fire to light your way
To write your story and to live
And love someone today.

Be thankful for your source of life
And bow or smile and nod…
Because your story matters most,
When it reveals our God.

Your email address matters, too. It’s what I need so I can send you my Tony’s Daily Devotional . Get lots of fun stuff delivered right to your inbox. Spend your valuable time reading instead of searching. And, to show my sincere appreciation for your time and attention, I’ll send you download links to 2 of my Christian books for kids and 2 songs, right away. Fun for kids AND not too cutesy. So grownups enjoy it, too.

The TRUTH

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Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Here in Colorado this fine May morning there’s sunshine and cool breezes. I was the first to rise and get things going. I enjoy the quietness…always have. When I was younger, I’d almost always be the first one to get up. And I’d sneak into the kitchen and pour myself a bowl of Saturday morning breakfast cereal.

Even back then I’d take the time to just crunch on Cheerios, or corn flakes, or whatever was there and stare out the window. I loved to watch the birds and squirrels already busy at work getting and gathering food. There was so much activity, but it was so peaceful and quiet. When I was a kid, we weren’t allowed to have coffee. I didn’t mind because that grownup beverage tasted awful to me, and I never needed that kind of caffeine boost to wake up.

These days the first thing I do, in the morning, is fire up the coffee maker and enjoy the aroma as the brewing begins. That first cup, with a bit of honey or raw sugar and some coconut milk, wakes up that first layer of brain cells where my imagination lives. And when I let those cells roam around freely inside my head, pretty soon groups of words follow.

This Saturday morning my thoughts went to cereal and the “good ol’ days”

Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal

Saturday morning breakfast cereal
Floating in a big, blue bowl…
Oaty oat circles spinning in spoonfuls
Milk dripping out of control.

Saturday morning sunshine prisms
Sparkle on a glass of juice,
Bouncing like BB’s clicking on concrete
Luminous lights let loose.

Saturday morning cartoon silliness
Playing on the TV screen…
Bozos and birdbrains, rockets and robots
Every week the same routine.

Saturday morning breakfast cereal
Wakin’ up a sleepyhead…
Saturday morning breakfast cereal
The reason to get out of bed.

Stay tuned,

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Unique gifts are the ones no one was expecting…except for one.

You. In fact, when you were conceived, they said your mom was “expecting”.

When a mom is “expecting”, what exactly is she expecting?

  • An apple pie?
  • A new car?
  • New shoes?
  • A phone call?
  • None of the above?

Yep, the answer is “none of the above”. When a mom is “expecting”, it means she’s going to get one of the two most unique gifts known to mankind. A boy…or a girl. If you think about how no one else in the world will have the same fingerprints as you, or the same DNA, or even the same size and shape…you’ll begin to understand how incredible and unique you are.

That’s why, today, I’m not writing for kids…I’m writing this especially for you…

OK, look at your fingers, and what do you see?
Look at them now, and don’t point them at me.
On each of your fingers you have fingertips.
Maybe your mom touched hers to your lips.

Your fingertips make their very own prints
Like no one’s before and no one else since.
It’s true of the billions of people on earth.
It means you have value. It means you have worth.

And something inside you too tiny to see
Says you will be you and never be me.
It was God who designed it and made it that way.
He gave you a code, and it’s called DNA.

It controls if your eyes will be brown, green, or blue.
It makes you a human, not an odd kangaroo.
And under a microscope what do we find?
That your DNA makes you into one-of-a-kind.

OK, never forget to remember this news
There will never be three or even two you’s.
And even the voice you use when you speak
Will show the whole world you’re truly unique.

Stay tuned,

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Tony Funderburk Posted on by

When I’m writing for kids, whether it’s a song, a poem, or even ebooks for kids…I often find a way to challenge them with their own lingo.

Maybe you’ve seen those AT&T commercials where a man sits at a kids’ table and asks some kids if doing two things is better than doing one. Then, he watches the kids and their reactions, comments, and funny movements. I’ve always been that way with kids. I love to ask them questions that challenge their perceptions…and then give them a goofy alternative. Their consternation is priceless.

And that’s why I enjoy writing for kids so much.

It gives me the opportunity to turn on the switch to the imagination I’ve always had but don’t always tap in to. I can be anything or go anywhere, and I can hopefully write it in a way that takes kids along for the ride. Colors can have sounds. And sounds can come to life and sprout wings and fly. They can fly into clouds that turn into eyes. And the eyes can blink out tears that drip into pools of color. And the whole thing can start over again going in a new, fun direction.

Well, that’s my take on it. I’ll just leave you with this one last musical thought…

Holla holla moolah…holla holla moolah
Holla holla moolah molay

Joppa joppa joopah…joppa joppa joopah
Joppa joppa joopah jopay

Kenna keena kyna…kenna keena kyna
Kenna keena kyna konay

Wella weela wyla…wella weela wyla
Wella weela wyla wolay

Soli Oh Yo…Soli Oh Yo Yo
Soli Ay Yi…Soli Ay yi yi
Soli Oh Soli Ay Soli Oh Soli Ay
Soli Oh Yi Oh Yi Yo

Stay tuned,

Tony Funderburk signature logo

No-cost, low-cost, and premium ways you can help me spread the Word…

Tell everybody you know to subscribe to Tony’s Daily Devotional
(emails with good stuff for Fa-Ree)

Get my Rhyme & Reason Podcast delivered right to your device. (also Fa-Ree)

Get digital Bible stuff from the same company I do.

My books are also on Amazon.com or Apple Books

Grab yourself an un-cool T-shirt

Or how about some music for believers, dreamers, and thinkers

 

Writing For Kids In The Snow

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

OK…so you see the headline to this story and you can take it more ways than one. Do I mean that I’m writing for kids who are in the snow? Or do I mean that I’m writing for kids while I’m in the snow? Or is an article about writing…for kids in the snow?

Ah-ha…those are the questions, and here is my answer. This is the first day of May, and it’s only going to be in the 30’s here on Green Mountain in Colorado. And to top it off, it’s snowing like a banshee out there. (By the way, how do banshees snow?) So, the answer is…I’m writing for kids while I’m in a house that’s in the snow. How’s that for the long way around an explanation?

So…to make up for the long-winded answer I’m gonna share an important brief dissertation (I think that might be an oxymoron) about meteorological disturbances and why they occur when they do. I’m writing for kids, but you kids should make sure your parents see this. It’s called…

Ode To When It Snowed

When it snowed on the very first of May,
All the snowbirds grabbed their nests and flew away.
As they turned and looked behind…
Every creature, every kind
Had decided it was much too cold to stay…

Because May’s meant for flowers and not snow,
But those tardy snowflakes didn’t seem to know.
They kept floating through the air
Without sound and without care.
So then what could all the creatures do but go?

When the birds and the others took their flight,
They relied on what they felt and not their sight.
Days like this will come and go.
Soon the sun will melt the snow.
Yes the world may be all white, but it’s alright.

Stay tuned,
Tony Funderburk, THE writer-singer-illustrator for kids and life in Denver talks about his first 7 ebooks for kids.

P.S.  Get my ebooks for kids on Amazon.com
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Citrus Music

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Ahh…citrus, music, sunshine, sparkling water…it’s refreshing just to say the words. Or in this case, write the words. (I said ’em out loud, too, so I could see how they sound)

Some citrus music by writer singer illustrator Tony Funderburk called "Chanson d'Agrumes"

Do you love the scents of lemon, lime, orange, and grapefruit as much as me? I doubt it, but if you do, I suggest you stop reading this and go find some fruit or essential oils to smell right now. Guess what…it’ll perk up your mood. I can almost guarantee it. Citrus aromas are known for their uplifting properties, and the oils from these fruits are rich in antioxidants and d-Limonene. I actually take orange oil and lemon oil daily, and they’re awesome.

They’re so awesome, in fact, I wrote some citrus music for an essential oils presentation experience recently. Everyone loved the lemon oil and they said the music went with it very well. Check out the instrumental, below, and tell me what you think. Does it capture the citrus essence? Does it make you wanna eat an orange? Does it help you get your irie on?

Here’s my citrus music called “Chanson d’Agrumes“…

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Stay tuned,
Tony Funderburk, THE writer-singer-illustrator for kids and life in Denver talks about his first 7 ebooks for kids.

P.S.  Get my ebooks for kids on Amazon.com
Get my Podcast
Circle me on Google +
Like my fan page on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Watch my videos on YouTube

Tony Funderburk Posted on by

Truth and fiction aren’t always mutually exclusive.

I like to make the illustrations in my ebooks for kids as colorful as I can. It probably stems from when I was a kid and loved bright colors so much. So, it seems only natural that my stories would follow that tendency toward bright colors. Maybe it’s just me…

Well, a while back I drew a colorful “Dreamtown” for a bedtime story I wrote based on my song by the same name. I called the story “Dilly Dally In Dreamtown”. It’s about a young guy named Daren who couldn’t dream. He could get to sleep but he couldn’t dream…until he meets the dreamtown selector. Then he goes on a trek to find a great place to sleep and dream. And the colors of enchantment surround him.

So…I figured I’d draw a make-believe Dreamtown with lots of color. And I figured it would be totally fictional. But strangely enough truth and fiction sometimes seem to melt together by chance and observation.

As I was flipping through a news app on my iPhone, I found a picture on a website that’s no longer around. And it looked similar to my drawing. Tell me what you think. It’s at the top of this page.

Identical twins. Right? 🙂 I just love the similarity in colors and overall theme. Goes to show you, there’s nothing new under the sun. And yet the cool thing is…it IS new. My simple little drawing has never been done before. Or ever will be again. And the similarities and differences all point to what I’m always saying to readers here on my website and to listeners on my podcast. Life has Rhyme and Reason because God made you.

Stay tuned,

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