Danny and Kim Adlerman
Author, Illustrator and Musician
After working at a children's publishing house in New York, Kim and Danny Adlerman turned their story book marriage into the business of fairy tales. While on on a family trip with their 18 month old daughter asleep in the back seat of the car, Danny and Kim started coming up with weather-related rhymes. Kim wrote their words on the only piece of paper available -- an envelope (which they still have). That envelope soon became It's Raining, It's Pouring, written under the pen name Kin Eagle (derived from a combination of their first names, and Adler being German for eagle).
Since then, the Adlermans have had published Hey Diddle Diddle, Rub a Dub Dub, & Humpty Dumpty, the companions to It's Raining, It's Pouring, all under their pen name. They are all illustrated by the Adlermans' friend Rob Gilbert under Kim's direction. "Rob has a wonderful sense of humor. He can exaggerate things and make them hilarious." says Kim.
The Adlermans are also the creative forces behind Africa Calling, Nightime Falling, and , Rock A Bye Baby, written by Danny and illustrated by Kim under their real names, as well as How Much Wood Could a Woodchuck Chuck?, written by Danny and illustrated by 12 different children's book artists. Autumn of 2007 features a new book, Oh No, Domino!, written and illustrated by Kim, and with music by Danny.
Of her three dimensional style, Kim says, "I've always been fascinated with making things look like other things or changing things to distort them. 'Africa Calling, Nighttime Falling' was really a big experiment for me."
Danny and Kim also have their own business, The Kids At Our House, from which they offer book production and design.
Listen Up! Featuring Jim Babjak of The Smithereens, The Grip Weeds Kurt Reil and Kevin Kammeraad of The Tomato Collection, Listen UP! is a fresh new collection of songs great not only for your children but for the whole family!
The Kids At Our House; CD UPC 777078914040 
The CD was produced to bear in mind not only young listeners, but fans of One Size Fits All who are now six years older then when that CD first came out. This is unmistakably three dimensional real rock and roll - a hallmark as Danny's friends & fans know - yet it is also different from One Size Fits All in it's growth.
Adlerman and crew continue to push the envelope with this new offering. You have not heard this before, yet you will be comfortable with the first spin. In the tradition of One Size Fits All, Listen UP! is respectful of a child's intelligence, great rock & roll, and a terrific good time! Parents will love it as much as kids.
Reviews
From Zooglobble.com New Jersey-based Danny Adlerman is part of the kids' music equivalent of the Rat Pack (or the Brat Pack, or the Frat Pack, depending on your generation) -- along with Kevin Kammeraad and Jim Dague of ScribbleMonster, they seem to be responsible for about 10% of the kids' music released every year, and they all seem to be on each other's albums.
Adlerman's latest contribution to the genre is the recently-released Listen UP!, and while Dague isn't here, Kevin Kammeraad and a whole host of others join in. One benefit of having such a large extended musical family is a sense of familiarity blended with a diverse set of approaches. Although the songs are typically squarely in the rock tradition (the Who-inflected "Veggie Song," for example, or the big guitar-pop of "Crooked"), the musicians also tackle a few less straightforward songs such as the call-and-response game of "Flea Fly." In either case, the band sounds great together, especially on my favorite track, the goofy wordplay of "The Dozsins."
I'd be remiss if I didn't also mention Jim Babjak from the Smithereens, who plays on the album and co-wrote 5 of the album's songs. A couple of the tracks -- "In the Future" and "Somewhere I Wonder" sound like they could have fit into a Smithereens album without much rewriting. Lyrically, those songs don't have an obvious "kids' music" stamp too them. Other songs, feature topics like eating pizza ("Too Much Pizza Blues") and the hundredth day of school (the old-timey "Hundred's Day," natch). Overall, the album is nice blend of songs targeted right at the kids and songs less age-specific.
I think the album is most appropriate for kids ages 5 through 9. You can hear samples from the 37-minute album at its CDBaby page http://cdbaby.com/cd/adlerman2. I hope Danny Adlerman keeps hanging out with his friends, because he's got a good thing going on musically. With a gentle sense of humor and playfulness, Listen UP! will be popular with many families looking for an album of kid-appropriate rock-n-roll. Recommended.
Book Talk with Shirley LaBusier The Ashley News -Ashley, Il.
Want to sing along with your kids, want to enjoy some toe tapping music? Listen Up! Is real music for real kids. Opening with the sound of laughter, this CD features thirteen wonderful tunes. Your child will soon be singing along, dancing around the room with glee.
"When I get up early in the morning, sometimes I don't want to get up until a quarter to lunch. Sometimes we gotta do the things that we are told, even if we don't really wanna.do. The lyrics are not just funny, they also carry a message that will reinforce the lessons you are trying to teach your child.
"Day after day there are greens on my plate, you can't make me eat them, no way no how, when it comes to my veggies (I put on the brakes) I try just a small tiny bit, and WOW! Don't they really taste good!"
The final tune on this sing-along CD is Rock-a-bye Baby a companion to Adlerman's book by the same name. Rock-a-bye Baby tells the story of a baby in its cradle as it floats down a stream. Birds sing and a butterfly lands on its toes. At the end of the journey, it is safe and sound, back in mothers loving arms.
The lead guitarist is Jim Babjak of the world famous Smithereens, the long lived this band which also recently appeared on the Chicago based WGN morning program. Danny and his friends are featured on the CD, playing banjo, bass, percussion, and keyboards. Listen Up! is available from Adlerman's website dannyandkim.com, cdbaby.com, and Barnes & Noble. You can't miss with this entertaining CD, I highly recommend it.
From Indiekidsrock Danny & his pals (mostly Jim Babjak of The Smithereens, The Grip Weeds Kurt Reil and Kevin Kammeraad of The Tomato Collection) rock on Danny's sophomore disc, Listen UP! When I say rock I'm talkin' classic rock ala Kinks, Stones & Beatles. The rollicking opener, "When I Grow Up" will get you groovin & set for fun for the whole family. Other rockers include "In The Future" & "Too Much Pizza Blues" in which our pals gleefully gorge upon slices & slices to the point of absurd gastric agony. Now that's the way to write a kickin' kids blues tune. Danny flexes his lyrical muscle in (my fave) "The Dozsins" a cumulative sonic build-up song full of playful homonyms. "Sweet Pea Emily" is a welcomed syncopated transplant from Kevin Kammeraad's Tomato Collection which is getting some decent airplay on XM Kids these days. If you enjoyed Danny's One Size Fits All you're sure to love Listen UP!
One Size Fits All by Danny Adlerman, art by Kim Adlerman, featuring Jim Babjak Audio CD (January 1, 2001) The Kids At Our House;
CD ISBN 0-9705773-0-3
Danny says about the recording, "It's a ten song album, featuring songs not only from our books (including Africa Calling!) but also some of my other children's songs AND contributions penned by none other than Jim Babjak of the Smithereens (he also provided most of my guitar work, by the way)! Not to be overlooked is our very first musical collaboration for kids, HOW MUCH WOOD COULD A WOODCHUCK CHUCK?
You have not heard music like this, folks - guaranteed to be the first children's album that you will put on again and again because YOU want to hear it! It's rock and roll for kids - not condescending! It's professional & viable without being overly commercial, and mostly, fun!
It also features artwork created just for this package by Kim, and the CD comes with an eight page booklet with lyrics."
Reviews
Chicago Parent magazine’s Fred Koch (www.bestchildrensmusic.com) said, “The first cut, Africa Calling, grabs you right away with it's jungle animal sound effects... I have been a fan of Kin Eagle's books for a long time, and was excited to see some of them come to life musically...they have included fine musical arrangements... Rub a Dub Dub is hilarious... How Much Wood Could A Woodchuck Chuck? is another creative song...brimming with clever songs sure to be enjoyed by children and adults alike.”
Parenting Magazine has named the album a Parenting’s Picks in their June/July 2001 issue and gave the following review Children young and old will jam to these ten summery feel-good anthems, including original compositions like the beachy Surfin' the Net and The Library Song and boisterous versions of nursery rhymes, such as Rub a Dub Dub and Humpty Dumpty
Simplyfamily.com’s Vendetta Thornton said: “One Size Fits All is one CD you will want to add to your child’s list of music. From the very beginning, I was transformed by the great beats...warm and fun. The songs and lyrics are easy to follow along with and encourage learning; this can be heard in songs such as Surfing the Net and the known Library Song. One Size Fits All also reintroduces some old classic nursery rhymes like Rub A Dub Dub, It’s Raining It’s Pouring and Hey Diddle Diddle. The theme on this CD is a great way to incorporate your child’s favorite bedtime story with music, which is one of the many talents of Mr. Adlerman, a noted children’s author.”
The Music From Jim Babjak's Buzzed Meg Jim Babjak's Buzzed Meg Audio CD
Original Release Date: December 15, 2001 Number of Discs: 1 
ASIN: B00005V6EL
Album Description
Fans of The Smithereens and Jim Babjak's Buzzed Meg have held a collective breath of anticipated excitement for quite some time now...it's time to exhale! The anticipation is over, even though the excitement is just beginning. THE MUSIC FROM JIM BABJAK'S BUZZED MEG has finally arrived, and not a moment too soon!
For fans of classic rock, power pop, ballads, angst, and/or background music (not to mention great potential soundtracks), and for music aficionados who are frustrated with the quality of music generally produced today, this album features a collection of songs with so many moods and so much emotion it will sound fresh with each and every listen.
Featuring bandmembers Kurt Reil (of Grip Weeds fame) on lead and backing vocals, fellow Smithereen Dennis Diken on drums, Vince Grogan on bass and Billy Maryniak on keyboards, Jim also utilized the talents of Danny Adlerman who co-wrote and/or played keyboards on several tracks, and Mike Dalton.
COMING THIS WINTER!
How Much Wood Could A Woodchuck Chuck?
HOW MUCH WOOD COULD A WOODCHUCK CHUCK? is unique for a variety of reasons: First off, the manuscript comes from the lyrics of the song from Danny's album, One Size Fits All. Secondly, Kim did illustrate this one, but so did Roby. Oh, yes, and so did Megan Halsey. And Javaka Steptoe. Kevin Kammeraad. Mickey Paraskevas, Liza Woodruff (www.lizawoodruff.com), Judy Love, Ryan Hipp (www.puppytron.com), Joel Tanis (www.joeltanis.com), and Lena Shiffman.
Need we say more? OK: The book also comes with a CD of the song, both with AND without vocals, so you can make up compound word verses of your own! If you have ever wondered "How Much Wood Could a Woodchuck Chuck?" - and you know you have - look know further. The answer lay inside...
Rock-A-Bye Baby by Danny Adlerman, illustrated by Kim Adlerman Reading level: Baby-Preschool Edition: Hardcover 32 pages ; Publisher: Charlesbridge Publishing; (February 2004)
ISBN:1-58089-082-2
"A husband-and-wife team expands the familiar lullaby in this visually packed effort. Here, baby travels with his teddy bear from the fallen branch, naps while drifting down the creek, flies through the sky with the help of sweetly singing birds, and finally lands safely in his mother's arms. The singsong text is full of reassurances designed to make this strange journey into a pleasant and peaceful experience: with the 'blanket caressing softly his cheek', the baby is 'dreaming of clouds in the sky above, he's feeling warm, and he's feeling loved.' What makes this truly unique, however, are the multi-media collage illustrations, crafted from layers of watercolor images, dried leaves, feathers, a crocheted afghan, and even human hair. The results are pictures full of remarkable texture, depth, and color that juxtapose, for example, a muted watercolor cut-out of a baby's head resting atop a piece of blue broadcloth. Some readers may prefer a more traditional approach to children's illustration, but all are sure to appreciate the Adlermans' creative artistry." - Kirkus Reviews, January 15th, 2004
Songs for America's Children,
compiled by Daniel and Kimberly Adlerman
WHY is proud to be associated with Songs for America's Children as a joyful representation of everything that WHY -- and indeed all of America -- stands for. By celebrating the legacy of ideals through our patriotic songs, and the diverse voices of our present through our children's vibrant art, this book lays out the basic blueprint for our future; one where we come together to make the American dream available to all.
Jen Chapin, musician, educator, and Chair of
WHY Board of Directors
Africa Calling : Nighttime Falling by Dan Adlerman, Kimberly Adlerman (Illustrator), Reading level: Ages 4-8 Hardcover - 32 pages (October 1996) Whispering Coyote Pr; 
Hardcover ISBN: 1879085984
Paperback ISBN: 1580890253
Reviews
From Booklist , Oct. 1996 In this well-crafted picture book, the stuffed animals surrounding a young girl sitting on her bed come alive as she ponders their lives and natural habitats in their native home of Africa. The two-part rhyming text sets the stage for her dreamlike trip, and a unique combination of watercolors and natural objects such as dried berries and leaves and pieces of rock and pebbles creates unusual collages that distinctively capture the essence of the animals and their environment. The integral detail of these highly original illustrations will generate much visual curiosity among young audiences as they listen to the pleasing story. April Judge Copyright, American Library Association. All rights reserved
The Book Report, Inc. With AFRICA CALLING, NIGHTTIME FALLING the husband-and-wife collaborators Daniel and Kimberly Adlerman take us into the African Savanna at sunset, when shadows are long and colors are crisp. As some animals settle in for the night, others are just coming to life. Using well constructed, easy to read aloud verse, Daniel Adlerman captures the shifting mood: "As moonlight cloaks the desert land, Vipers slink across the sand. swiftly sliding vipers gliding" Blending a wash of rich, watercolor tones with three dimensional collage and cut paper effects, Kimberly Adlerman brings her husband's words to life. Her paper lioness surveys the hunting grounds from a rock cliff. Her watercolor buffalo is embraced by a bed of real grasses and moss. AFRICA CALLING NIGHTTIME FALLING is a gem --- an interesting snapshot of an exotic place. --- by Kelly Milner Halls (BookpgDino), for THE BOOK REPORT (c) Copyright All rights reserved.
School Library Journal, Aug.1996 "A sense of realism combines with the delights of fantasy in this charming picture book... The use of collage communicates a world of fantasy on the edge of dreaming, at the same time that the concreteness of the materials used and dimensionality created by varying distances from the background make this world seem very real...the author and illustrator have created a mysterious, non-threatening animal world of a child's imagination."
The Reading Teacher, Nov. 1997 A little girl lying in bed imagines Africa Calling, Nighttime Falling (P) in Daniel Adlerman's picture book. Wild animals and their habitats within the African setting are depicted with poetic text such as, "In the deep, still calm of the river pool, Hippo swims to keep so cool. Splashing, spraying hippos playing." Kimberly M. Adlerman's debut as an illustrator is extraordinary with collages created by painting a base of watercolor, then adding varied layers of painted figures and actual leaves, dried flowers, rocks, herbs, and twine. One class of 7-year-olds used this book as a model for illustrating their own stories with three-dimensional objects.
It's Raining, It's Pouring by Kin Eagle, Rob Gilbert (Illustrator), Reading level: Ages 4-8 Hardcover - 1 pages (March 1997) Whispering Coyote Pr; ; 
Hardcover ISBN: 1879085887
Board book:ISBN 1580890172
Paperback:ISBN 1879088712
A favorite nursery rhyme is presented with a humorous flair for particular appeal to young readers and is accompanied by sunny (and rainy) watercolor drawings.
Originally published in hardcover in 1994; Worldwide in all editions has almost 150,000 copies in print.
Review: South Central Kansas Library System Adding six new verses to the traditional rhyme, Eagle has created a rollicking good time. As the weather changes, the old man and his wife's antics become more humorous. When he sneezes, he blows away his pick-up truck, pops his buttons, runs from bees, falls down a well, and dances with ants in his pants. Each double-page spread is filled with lively full-color illustrations. Use this in storytimes and watch smiles break out over the group.
Hey, Diddle Diddle by Kin Eagle, Roby Gilbert (Illustrator) Reading level: Ages 4-8 Hardcover - 32 pages (March 1997) Whispering Coyote Press 
ISBN: 1879085976 ;
Paperback: ISBN 1-58089-007-5
Young children join the cow jumping over the moon and her friends--Baboon, the dish and the spoon, the cat and the fiddle, and others--on a riotous adventure, in a hilarious, brightly illustrated version of the popular nursery rhyme."
Review Librarians' Book Review, 3/97 This title was evaluated as a '5' on a scale of 1-5 (Outstanding/Excellent) in EVERY SINGLE CATEGORY reviewed, including the following: Objectivity, Accuracy, Appropriateness, Scope, User Interest, Organization, Picture/Sound/Narrative Quality, Physical Features, and OVERALL ESTIMATE.
Rub A Dub Dub by Kin Eagle, Roby Gilbert (Illustrator) Reading level: Ages 4-8 Hardcover (February 1999) Whispering Coyote Press 
Hardcover ISBN 1-58089-008-3 Paperback (Feb 2002) ISBN: 158089075X
This expanded version of the traditional rhyme shows what happens to the butcher, the baker, and the candlestick maker when they go fishing in their tub.
Humpty Dumpty by Kin Eagle, Rob Gilbert (Illustrator) Reading level: Ages 4-8 Hardcover (August 1999) Whispering Coyote Press; 
ISBN: 1580890199
From Charlesbridge Publishing;
ISBN: 1580890792 Board edition
Paperback ISBN: 1580890911
Follow this beloved childhood nursery rhyme character through adventure after adventure as he tries, in vain, to keep himself together! Fans of Kin Eagle’s previous extended nursery rhymes (It’s Raining, It’s Pouring, Rub a Dub Dub, and Hey, Diddle Diddle), will again delight in this funfilled tale.
Review From Children's Literature In traditional nursery rhyme fashion, Humpty falls off his wall—and has other adventures which are not totally successful. However, in the end, Humpty D. gets to snuggle with the person he loves best. Eagle has "extended" this familiar old story as he did previously with the three men in the tub and the cat and the fiddle. (Mental double-takes are par for the course when, for example, you see Humpty in the moat with a bunch of crocs and gators. Did that happen in the original?) The sing-song quality of the prose and soothing pastel illustrations give warmth to the story and encourage snuggling all around. Music and words for the rhyme are included. 2000, Reviewer: Chris Gill
"We have appeared in front of classes ranging from pre-school to 6th grade, and so we tailor our appearances to our audience. For the younger kids, it is largely sing-a-long and reading of our books, in which we also bring varying percussion instruments from around the world (mostly African though) and let the kids play along while I play guitar. The songfest includes songs, many of which include musical versions of our books, include selections from our Children's Music Web award winning CD, ONE SIZE FITS ALL, as well as music from our new CD, LISTEN UP!.
"For kids older than pre-school and Kindergarten, we don't play quite as many tunes, and we start to introduce kids to all kinds of things: We bring in some of Kim's original artwork from Africa Calling and describe how it was made, including sketching, art directing (which leads into comparing an art director for her to an editor for me), dummy, etc. This then leads into a discussion of how books are made, and we bring transparencies from the book and progressive proofs - Kim and I have between us more than 40 years professional experience in the children's publishing industry, so this stuff is second nature to us - and we hold a very informal, non technical discussion of how books are made. We also bring in unpublished dummies and manuscripts to really stress reading as a key to success in life throughout our presentation.
"Kim will also usually sketch for them, we talk about being an author & illustrator of course, and host question & answer periods. The older the group is, the less music and more talking there is.
"Kids/parents/teachers also have the chance to buy our hardcover books at a nice discount, and of course we will autograph them.
"We have done groups from just a handful to several hundred at a time, so no size scares us, although of course we prefer smaller groups who seem to get the most out of it.
Music Programs
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A Music Event for older students can be added to the presentation on books. Kids will be exposed to writing a song in class. Time and age appropriateness permitting, we will also make a musical instrument in class with them so they not only have something to take away with them and remember the appearance by, but will also be able to play right along with us by the end of our visit. A hallmark of this program is stressing rhythm and meter, and forming an identifiable relationship between music and literacy. This program includes the talents of Jim Babjak from the rock group THE SMITHEREENS, and is perfect for music classes as well as those that traditionally have authors visits. Jim Babjak is a professional musician and song writer, whose guitar skills and musicology can be heard on our album ONE SIZE FITS ALL as well as LISTEN UP!
Other Programs
One is a craft time where we actually make a book with the kids; we supply blank signatures, endpapers, binders boards, appropriate cover materials, reinforcing, and of course all the glue required to make a real book with and for each child. As part of a potential two day program if desired, we can come in on a future date and plan and discuss options for turning those newly created blank books into real written and or illustrated children's books. .
The second program we have added involves actually making a piece of artwork, based on a piece of art from Africa Calling. By the end of the class period, children will have created an original piece of art; we supply all materials and expertise.
Class size should be limited to no more than twenty five students each for these two new programs; we can, as always, handle up to three sessions per day for any of our sessions, and it is reccommended if possible to have a parent volunteer or teacher aide.
For all sessions, we will always provide the opportunity to purchase our books and/or music at a discount.
For further information on this program or to inquire about fees, please contact Danny and Kim.
What Teachers Say
"Your presentation was one of the best and most appropriate ones I've seen in 28 years at our school. It was lively, entertaining, and inspirational to the children." Michael Beliveau/First Grade teacher, Merriam Avenue School Newton, NJ
Thank you so much for the wonderfully engaging program—you make the audience want to clap, and sing and dance in the isles (and that's just the teachers!).
As I watched the children's faces I was reminded why we do the jobs we do—lucky for you, you can see this whenever you make a visit! It can never be said too much—You are FABULOUS!"
Thank you. Sheila Cooper/Reading Specialist Hillcrest School, Somerset, NJ
"Wow! Wow! Wow! That's about all we can say as we reminisce about our visit from Danny and Kim. It was truly a remarkable day and evening. The teachers and kids are still chatting about your visit...your books are being checked out of the library regularly and when we discuss authors and illustrators, Danny and Kim are the first words out of their mouths...you're famous in Wildwood!
Kim, you were so relaxed with the children and I think they felt your warmth and kindness and genuine interest in them , as people. You both are very special and relate so warmly and kindly with kids. Danny, the kids love your music!! I think you probably could have sung for hours. You can hear your music from the CD coming from some room on each floor each day.
The evening program was a hoot. The children told us, "We were at a concert and it was really, really, fun! Danny and Kim, you are certainly this school's best friends. We love your spirit, your wholesomeness, your humor, your flexibility, your warmth, your kindness, your books, your music but most of all, you! Come back soon!" Marcia Lloyd, Glendale Avenue School, Wildwood, NJ
"Your visit to Errick Road Elementary School was one of the highlights of our year! Even our kindergartners came away with an understanding of the effort and perseverance it takes to become a good writer or illustrator. They learned that everybody makes mistakes. That practice makes you better at whatever you are attempting to learn. The children were in awe of Kim's art and the techniques used to produce it. Danny's songs were lots of fun. The fourth graders who participated in the writing workshops gained a lot from having the chance to ask lots of questions. They enjoyed the writing activities, too. Danny and Kim are tops!" Mrs. Janeen Greene, Library Media Specialist, Errick Road Elementary School, Wheatfield, NY
"Kim and Danny have visited my Kindergarten class each year for the last five years. SImply put: they are so talented and so nice. Their presentation is interesting and informative. The children are so excited to see Kim's original artwork, they love their books, and Danny's music keeps everyone tapping their toes! My students always have a great time…and so do I! I can highly recommend them for school visits." Mrs. Peterson, Kindergarten Teacher, Edison, NJ
"We planned a day full of literature related activities for our students and their families. Our primary goals for the day were to celebrate the wonderful variety of children's literature and to inspire a love of reading that will last a lifetime. Danny Adlerman was invited as a guest author. He has written several wonderful picture books for children. His energetic reading and sing along performance was a great addition to our celebration. I am writing to recommend that you contact him when planning future events." Karen Moulis, Stony Point Reading Celebration Commitee, Charlottesville, VA
Contact
Danny and Kim Adlerman
47 Stoneham Place
Metuchen, NJ 08840
(732) 548-1779
Click below for Danny and Kim's Website
To return to state page click HERE. 05/28/08 date last edited
