Meet Rafael, a ten-year-old kid living in Brooklyn. He loves drawing, doing the Rubik's cube, and playing cello. When Rafael joins the Page Flipper Club, he gets to interview the bassist with The Roots and save the day by helping a pigeon find her way out of the library!
Grab your grownup for these extra resources!
- Our grownup moment on this episode was for our musical instrument lending library. Also, we have tons of performances on Central Library's Plaza. Check our calendar of events for upcoming shows.
- Do you want to be on our Ooh Song? Record yourself on a smart phone or computer saying something you like to do, and have your grownup email the audio file to podcasts [at] bklynlibrary [dot] org. Oh, and tell us your name so we can give you a shoutout!
- Read more books about music or check out Simon B. Rhymin' by Dwayne Reed, the book that the Whoa Gizmo found for Rafael.
- Mark Kelley really is the bassist for The Roots! Check out a video of his bass solo with the band, or read a longer interview with him.
- Are you a teacher or librarian? You're in luck! You can use this episode in your classroom or library. We created an activity for school-age kids, with this episode as starting point.
The Whoa Gizmo (aka our fantastic children's librarians) created a list of books about music to go along with this episode! Plus, if you're a teacher or a librarian, we created an activity for school-age kids that you can use in your own library or classroom, with this episode as starting point.
Episode Transcript
Meet Rafael and Mark
Mark Kelley (right) is a musician, composer and the bassist for The Roots.
Rachel You’re listening to Page Flippers Take on the World from Brooklyn Public Library: a podcast where kids save the day by exploring their interests, discovering new books and talking to real live experts! If you can take over the show, you can take on the world!
[Whistling sounds, accompanied by a bird cooing]
Rachel Hey, Sheneatha, what are you doing?
Sheneatha I’m whistling for my new friend. Her name is Starr.
Rachel Is Starr a pigeon?
Sheneatha She sure is!
[Whistling and cooing sounds continue]
Rachel She really seems to be enjoying the music!
Sheneatha I wonder if she and I can come up with an act together. I can see it now: “Sheneatha and Starr: The Whistling Sensations!”
[Timer sound]
Rachel Oh, that’s my phone timer, we’ve got to get ready for the Page Flipper meeting!
Sheneatha That’s right! Bye, Starr, I’ll come visit you soon.
[Theme Song plays]
? Theme Song Lyrics ?
Kid I'm really good at cooking!
Rachel That's so cool. Maybe one day you'd like to work as a chef. Or own a restaurant. Or write cookbooks!
Kid I can draw a really amazing monster.
Kid I'm really good at painting.
Sheneatha Wow! Maybe you'd like to be an illustrator for books. Or work as a computer animator for movies or video games!
Chorus Page Flippers Take on the World! x 4
Sheneatha I can do so many things. I read about the things I dream. I flip pages like a chef flips pancakes. I'm a Page Flipper, I can do anything!
Chorus Page Flippers Take on the World! x 2
[Theme song fades into the sounds of kids playing]
Sheneatha Hi, everyone! Welcome to the Page Flippers Club! [Kids cheer] For those of you who are here for the first time, I’m Librarian Sheneatha.
Rachel And I’m Librarian Rachel! And I hereby call to order this meeting of Page Flippers: kid book lovers who want to be the best readers and the best people they can be! You know what we love to say: we flip pages like a chef flips pancakes.
Sheneatha That’s right! To start off our Page Flipper meeting, let’s do our Imagination Recitation!
Rachel Everybody join in!
[Librarians lead chant, with kid voices echoing the lines]
Want to travel the world? Just flip a page!
Want to save the day? Just flip a page!
The story I make is up to me.
We’ll make our world what we want it to be.
When we meet in this library space, we change it to a magical place!
Sheneatha Now the magic can really start!
[Shaking, tinkling, ringing ... sounds of the Whoa Gizmo appearing]
Melina What is that?
Jack It looks like some crazy magical machine! It's got lots of buttons and levers.
[Whoosh sound]
Kid voices Whoa!
Rachel Whoa is right ... it’s the Whoa Gizmo!
Jack What does it do?
Rachel Some incredible things! But it can’t do anything until it gets to know our Star Page Flipper.
Sheneatha So let’s get to it! Today’s Star Page Flipper is Rafael! Rafael, would you like to introduce yourself?
Rafael My name is Rafael. I'm ten years old. And I live in Brooklyn, New York.
Sheneatha Let’s hear it for Rafael!
[Kids cheer]
Rachel Today, Page Flipper Rafael is leading the show! During the Page Flipper meeting, we’ll find out more about his interests.
Sheneatha Oh! And then the Whoa Gizmo will find her the perfect book! That’s my favorite part.
Rachel Mine too. Because when we read, we go on adventures and learn more about the things that interest us. You know, things that make you go “oooh.”
Rafael [Singing] Ooh, ooh …hey, you could make a song out of that!
Sheneatha Wait, I have a song about things that make you go ooh! Want to sing it with me, Rafael?
? Ooh Song Lyrics ?
Sheneatha Tell me the things you like, that make your heart sing! Stuff that makes you happy, your favorite things.
Amaya I like to dance ballet.
Sheneatha Things you love to do and learn about, things that make you shout!
Rafael + Sheneatha Ooh. Oh. Things that make you go ooh, ooh, ooh.
Dylan I like to make art.
Madison I like to choose out books at the library.
Sheneatha Singing is always better when you can do it with a friend! Thanks, Rafael.
Rachel And, shout out to the Page Flippers on this week’s Ooh Song! Amaya, Dylan, and Madison. And any Page Flipper can be part of our Ooh Song. We’ll tell you more about how you can do that at the end of our meeting.
Sheneatha Rafael, since you’re the Star Page Flipper today, tell us, what makes you go "ooh"?
Rafael I like to do the rubix cube, I like math and gym, and I like to play music of course.
Rachel What’s something you dream about doing when you grow up?
Rafael Well actually I have a whole list of them. Mostly just different kinds of art, like visual art, music, that kind of stuff.
Sheneatha What’s your favorite music?
Rafael Probably Kanye West songs … I like listening to the album Donda.
[Whoa Gizmo shakes]
Rachel Sounds like the Whoa Gizmo likes that album too!
Sheneatha It’s time to see what the Whoa Gizmo will come up with for you! Pull the lever, and see what comes out.
[Sounds of lever being pulled and machine working]
Rachel It’s a book! Simon B. Rhymin’ by Dwayne Reed, with Ellien Holi and illustrated by Robert Paul Jr.
Sheneatha You know what it’s time for ... ?
Kid voices Book talk!
Rachel Have you heard of the Notorious B.I.G.?
Rafael Yeah, the rapper from Brooklyn?
Sheneatha Spread love, it’s the Brooklyn way!
[Hip hop beat starts]
Rachel Exactly! Well, this is a story about the Notorious D.O.G. … or, that’s what eleven-year-old Simon Barnes wants to be called. He has a gift for rhyming and a love of music … and one day, he wants to be a performer. But there’s one problem. He’s got stage fright!
[Record scratch]
When Simon’s teacher assigns a presentation, Simon has to face his fears and get up in front of his class. How will he overcome his nerves? You’ll have to read the book to find out!
I think you’ll love this middle grade chapter book. It's full of fun pictures and rhymes composed by the Notorious D.O.G. himself!
Sheneatha What do you think, Rafael? Want to check this book out?
Rafael Yeah, thanks for sharing it!
Rachel No problem!
[Distant music coming from outside]
Rafael Do you hear that? It sounds like someone is playing music outside ...
[Whoa Gizmo makes maraca and drum noises]
Sheneatha Ha ha! The Whoa Gizmo is singing along … maybe we should go investigate?
Rachel Yeah, I always try to listen to the Whoa Gizmo. It hasn’t failed us yet!
Sheneatha Except when we had a glusplosion in the craft room and the Whoa Gizmo’s gears got stuck.
Rachel Oh, yeah, except that time ...
[Sounds of walking outdoors, music gets louder, song finishes to applause]
Rachel Hey, it’s my friend Mark. Mark is the bassist for The Roots! Hi, Mark!
Mark Hey, Rachel! I just wrapped up a performance on the plaza.
Sheneatha Wow, there are so many instruments!
Rachel Mark, this is my friend and fellow librarian, Sheneatha. We were in a Page Flipper meeting when we heard your music outside! Oh, and this is Rafael. He’s the Star Page Flipper today.
Rafael Hi! It’s awesome that you’re a musician.
Mark Oh, yeah? Is a musician something that you want to be when you grow up?
Rafael Yeah, I have a whole list, but, yeah, musician is one of them. I have a I have a program for cello.
Mark I used to play the cello.
Rafael Cool.
Mark You like it?
Rafael Yeah.
Mark That's how I ended up playing the bass. I started on the cello, and then I wanted to learn how to read music to play the bass. So then I started playing the upright bass, after I played the cello. And that led me to guitar and a bunch of other things. But a cello is a really good place to start.
Rafael Can you tell me more about what you do?
Mark Sure. I do a few things. I compose music. I also played bass, some as a instrumentalist in a band. I've tried to play every part of what it is that I do, which is helping me to be a better musician and a better songwriter.
Rafael What kind of music do you compose?
Mark I compose a lot of different types of music. What I really like to compose is hip hop music. That's really what I ... that's where my heart is. But beyond that, I get jobs where I have to make all kinds of music that has nothing to do with hip hop music. Hip hop is what I've loved, and I have an education in jazz, but it's all kind of branched out from my love for hip hop music.
Rafael What do you do when you have writer's block as a composer?
Mark I try to get as far away from music as possible to wait for something to come back into my mind again. So it's not necessarily quitting or giving up, but it's just a moment of rest and completely walking away to allow myself the space for new ideas to filter into my mind.
Rafael Did you go to school to be a musician?
Mark Well, I went to school. But you don't have to go to school to be a musician. There are plenty of famous musicians who have never once sat in a music class ever in their life. And there are other very successful musicians who have spent a large amount of time in class. It's really just about where you have learned what you've learned, And for you to always to keep expressing what you've learned. And whatever that journey takes you is where you should go.
Rafael How do you help your community?
Mark I help my community by doing things like this, by trying to talk to younger people about things that I've done, playing for different functions, offering things that I do for free, pretty much trying to teach or pass along anything that I can to help somebody else in ways that I was never helped before.
Rafael What's the hardest part about your job?
Mark The hardest part about my job is that I don't get to enjoy a lot of the regular holidays and times that most people get to have with their families. Usually those times are the times that I have to work. So I guess the most difficult part for me is just the amount of separation that I have to have from family and loved ones. What are some of the other things that you want to do?
Rafael Photography, painting, directing, acting. Videographing, editing ...
Mark You want to be you want to do something in the arts. That's excellent. Well, I'll tell you this. If I can offer you any advice: being the star or being in front of the camera is not always the best or the most important job. There are plenty of other jobs that exist behind the scenes that are very good jobs and that that are also things that you could look into for your career. You've mentioned editing and I know kids in high school now who are into shooting videos for their friends and already having good careers in making videos and doing video editing just in high school. So I encourage you to keep going in the arts and to find what it is that you want to do and most importantly, say yes to every opportunity that you get that you can do. Money should never be the object of what you're doing now. Say yes so you can learn as much as possible about everything that you want to do.
Rafael Cool. Just one more question. What do you play when you need to calm down?
Mark I actually love to play scales. It calms my mind and keeps me focused.
Rafael That makes sense. Thanks so much for talking with me.
Mark No problem. I hope you keep making music.
Rachel Great to see you, Mark!
Sheneatha Thanks, Mark!
Mark See you later!
[Sound of bus leaving]
Sheneatha Since these instruments are already here … how about we do our last segment of the show outside, on the plaza?
Rachel Great idea! Want to help us, Rafael? Here, you take the drums.
[Drum beats ... then start of Grab Your Grownup song]
Sheneatha That's it!
Rachel Come on, now!
Sheneatha Oh, you hear that beat? That means it's time to grab your grownup!
? Grab Your Grownup Lyrics ?
Shake your head up and down.
Snap your fingers with us now.
If you can't snap, clap your hands!
Side to side, just do your dance.
Grab your grownup! x 3
Just do your dance and take them by the hand!
Shake, shake, and do your little dance now.
Sheneatha Here’s our grownup moment for today. Did you know that the library loans out more than books? We have musical instruments available for check out! Try out the violin [violin sound] ukelele [ukelele sound] bongos [bongo sound] and even a cow bell [cow bell] All you need is a Brooklyn Public Library card, and you can take an instrument home with you for a whole month!
Rachel And, we weren’t kidding about performances on the plaza. Central Library hosts dance concerts, string quartets, salsa music, and even the opera on the front steps! [Opera voice singing] We’ll put links to upcoming plaza performances and more information about checking out musical instruments on our website.
Sheneatha And, the book we shared with Rafael, Simon B. Rhymin’, is one that you can check out from your local public library. It's written by a fourth grade teacher who also loves to make rap videos. Plus, we have a whole list of other books about music for kids of all ages on our website. Grownups, head to BKLYN Library [dot] org [slash] Page Flippers to learn more.
[Ooh song instrumental]
Rachel Oh, and kids, if you want to join our Ooh Song, ask your grownup to use their smartphone or computer to record you saying something that makes you go “ooh."
Sheneatha Like, I like jumping rope … or, I like folding laundry!
Rachel You do? Could you help me fold mine? I can never get the socks to roll up right ...
Sheneatha Sure thing. Socks are my favorite!
Rachel Thanks, Sheneatha! Anyway, record yourself and then ask your grownup to email it to podcasts [at] B K L Y N Library [dot] org.
[Sounds of the outdoors]
Sheneatha Thanks for helping us with all the music today, Rafael!
Rafael You’re welcome! Could I come and check out that Simon B. Rhymin’ book?
Rachel Of course!
[Sounds of door opening, walking into the library ... distant sounds of flapping, commotion]
Rafael What’s going on over there? Is that a pigeon in the library?
Sheneatha Oh my goodness, it’s Starr!
Rarchel How did she get in here?
Sheneatha She must have been looking for me! [Bird screech] Starr? You shouldn’t be in here … I didn’t think you liked books, and there are more free french fries out in the world than there are in here...
Rachel There’s Special Officer Lopez – maybe he knows what’s going on.
Special Officer Lopez Librarian Rachel – this pigeon has been in here for fifteen minutes. We've been trying to shoo her out the door, but I think she’s too upset.
Sheneatha Oh Starr, I wish you’d calm down. [Whistles] My whistling doesn't seem to be helping.
Rachel I think she’s too upset.
Rafael Wait, I’ve got an idea! Mark said that when he wants to calm down, he likes to play scales. Maybe scales will help Starr, too!
Rachel That’s a great idea! I think we have a cello in the musical instrument library. I’ll go check.
[Running footsteps, flapping sounds continue]
Sheneatha Oh Starr, I’m sorry you’re so upset. She’s really a very good whistler when she’s calmer.
Rachel [Panting] Got it, I got it!
Rafael Thanks, Librarian Rachel! Ok, I’ll play a C major scale to start.
[C major scale on cello]
Sheneatha It’s working! She’s not flapping so much, and she looks calmer.
[Plays another major scale]
Rachel Oh look, she’s moving toward the door!
Rafael Maybe I’ll play a minor scale now...
[Minor scale on cello]
Sheneatha Oh no, now she’s flying away from the door ...
Rafael Hm, I think major scales make her move closer.
[Major scale, up and down]
Rachel Yes, it’s working!
Rafael Oh look, if I play higher notes, she moves to the right ...
[Ascending scale]
Rafael And descending notes make her move left ...
[Descending]
Rachel Wow, that’s one musical pigeon!
Rafael Maybe I can play her a song that will help her find her way to the door!
[Cello song begins]
Sheneatha She found the door! Bye, Starr! [Bird cooing] Next time we’ll meet outside the library!
Rachel See you later, Starr!
[Cello music continues]
Sheneatha Page Flipper Rafael, you saved the day!
Rafael It was nothing, I’m glad I could help!
Sheneatha Once again, our Page Flipper came to the rescue by reading books and asking the right questions.
Rachel Page Flippers, there are so many things you’re good at, so many things you can learn, and so many great things you can do!
Rachel and Sheneatha Page Flippers, Unite!
Rachel Wait a minute. I think we surprised them. They didn’t say it with us. Let’s say it all together …. all the Page Flippers listening out there, I’m looking at you!
Sheneatha Okay, on the count of three we’ll all say, “Page Flippers Unite!” … 1, 2, 3 …
Kids + hosts Page Flippers, Unite!
[Theme Song]
Sheneatha Page Flippers take on the World is brought to you by Brooklyn Public Library. It’s produced by Virginia Marshall and hosted by me and Rachel Tiemann. Our script is written by Virginia, Rachel, and me, Sheneatha!
Rachel Original songs from Ty Frison and Sheneatha Frison. Maddie Flythe and Meryl Friedman designed our logo. Page Flippers Take on the World is produced with support from PRX and is made possible (in part) by a Ready To Learn grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
Sheneatha Our team of fabulous children’s specialists and library professionals include Jessica Ralli, Rachel Payne, Fritzi Bodenheimer, and Kevin Kelley. We've got a list of books about music for kids of all ages on our website, plus links to resources for free programs at the library. Check that out on our website: B K L Y N library [dot] org [slash] page flippers.
Rachel Special thanks to Mark Kelley, a real musician and performer who plays in the band called The Roots! We’ll put links to their music and videos on our website. And, thanks to Special Officer Lopez, who really does work at Central Library! He has not encountered any whistling pigeons on the job, though … not yet, at least!
Sheneatha Our Star Page Flipper was Rafael. This is the sixth and last episode of the season. But keep reading and doing things that make you go "ooh!"
Rachel And if you miss us, come and see us anytime at the library.