Manolia sent us this song below in Marquesan from the Marquesas Islands in French Polynesia. She said it’s about a bird named Kuku. E Hina e pehea koe i uta (Marquesan) E Hina e pehea koe i uta Te puku au ia ko Nai! Na te manu! O ai te manu?? O Kuku! Kuku e petuhe Kuku e petuhe Kuke e petuhe If [...]

John wrote asking for help with a lullaby: Hi Lisa, My father was born in India, Granny’s family lived in India, between the early 1800’s and 1947. There is an Indian Children’s Lullaby, Ninnie Buba Ninnie, sung to my father and many generations of children. I am seeking the words and translation of the original, [...]

Frank wrote to me: A long time ago, my dad told me a rhyme in Slovenian about St. Matthew. I can’t write it in Slovenian but the English translation is as follows: St. Matthew breaks up ice. If he doesn’t have it, he makes it. Do you know the origin of the rhyme and when in the calendar [...]

We’re thrilled to add counting-out rhymes to our collection of English nursery rhymes whenever we come across them. Counting out rhymes help choose who goes first in a game, or who’s “It”. I found these rhymes below in a book of games called What Shall We Do Now?: Five Hundred Games and Pastimes [...]

I’m going into my daughter’s class this week to talk about some Japanese Festivals.  It may be helpful to other people who are also covering this topic for me to outline what I’m covering with links to more material. 1) Hina Matsuri – Doll Festival – March 3rd – people pray for their daughters’ future [...]