Melodic, smart, easy-to-learn songs for children ages newborn through elementary school; a good match with the artist's lilting soprano voice. Great for ELL/ESL, the lyrics evoke strong visual imagery. Soothing for both napping babies and frazzled parents

Funny how something that is done on a lark can grow and take on new meaning and purpose. In

Melodic, smart, easy-to-learn songs for children ages newborn through elementary school; a good match with the artist's lilting soprano voice. Great for ELL/ESL, the lyrics evoke strong visual imagery. Soothing for both napping babies and frazzled parents

Funny how something that is done on a lark can grow and take on new meaning and purpose. In 1998, I was challenged to write songs to accompany an ESL program for children in Brazil. "Colors" was the first song completed. I sang it for the 4-6 year-olds at the day care where I worked, and they quickly embraced the song and its activities. By summer's end I had seven songs ready, a studio located, but no further commitment from the ESL program.

January 1999 arrived. At a goal-setting seminar, friends encouraged me to record a children's album anyway - an idea I had been mulling over already. The next week several co-workers independently suggested the same project. In three weeks I had six more songs for the album. With not much more than a dream in my pocket, a half-written goal, and $500 in savings I began to record. Obstacles inevitably arose: a case of laryngitis, scheduling difficulties, allergies, lack of funds, and discouragement; but the songs, singers, and musicians endured and here is the fruit of our labors.

Circle Round Me is dedicated to my son, Michael Dene, resident of heaven. It begins to fulfill my life mission: to discover, create, and reflect true beauty in the world, in others and in myself. Parents, teachers, and children of ALL ages, may you be encircled with Love and beauty as you listen to and sing these songs.

Rhonda "Rhonni Nightingale" Pletcher Songbird Cottage, December 2017

Note: Circle Round Me was originally released on cassette tape. This new release is set for the first day of spring 2018. My two-year-old niece, Adeline, insists on it being her naptime background music. When her caregiver tried to substitute a different album, Addy cried out, "No! Rhonni! Rhonni!" May your response be the same : ) .