The Wheels on the Bus

Singing and reading to your child are considered two of the most vital ways parents can stimulate the development of a child's brain during the earlist years. Raffi's Songs to Read unites the rhythm, rhyme, and repetition that helps to lay the foundation for later speech, listening, and reading skills. here with fresh new cover designs are some of Raffi's best-known songs. With enchanting illustrations they create books that are natural bridges between music and reading.

Raffi Cavoukian?was born in Cairo, Egypt, in 1948 to Armenian parents. Music and literature were very much a part of Raffi’s own childhood, leading to his interest in learning the guitar as a teenager. In 1970 he began his career as a performer in local music spots and later transitioned to performing music for children. As his career progressed, Raffi realized there wasn’t quality recorded music for children. He then recorded and released Singable Songs for the Very Young. After its success, he recognized his fun songs could be adapted into books to help children read. Favorite songs were then printed in booklets, which were illustrated by the children themselves or by older students—as a result, the children had instant books that they could use at their own level of proficiency. This led to the publication of?Down by the Bay?and?Shake My Sillies Out, followed by other titles in the?Songs to Read?series. In 1998, Raffi published his first book for adults—an autobiography detailing the story of his unique life and career, including his efforts to blend respect for both children and the natural world, in order to work toward a child-honoring society.

Sylvie Wickstrom?was born in Casablanca in 1960. She lives with her partner, Barbara Lehman, in the Hudson Valley. Some of her heroes are?Moomintroll, Frog and Toad, Babar and Winnie the Pooh.