ABOUT THE BOOK

At a farm just over the hill something amazing is happening. Animals are gathering to play together in The Boogie Barn Band! With Reggie the Dog on drums, Hank the Horse on Bass, and other animal bandmates, their music and words tell a story that pleases the ears, eyes, and body. Get ready to move and groove!

Along with learning about these animal friends and the instruments they play, young readers also get to sing and dance along withThe Boogie Barn Band. The book features an embedded QR code concert ticket. Scan the ticket and join the band for an interactive concert experience!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

The Boogie Barn Band was created by husband and wife author team William Nephew and Natalie Neal with the hopes of introducing children to the magical world of music. William is an award-winning musician with over 20 years of experience in therapeutic songwriting and music production. Natalie is a speech-language pathologist and child development specialist with over 20 years of experience working in clinical and educational settings. William and Natalie have a passion for connecting with children through music and movement. Together, they have combined their talents and clinical expertise in creating The Boogie Barn Band to musically engage and educate young readers. Their books include interactive songs that bring the words and characters to life through an immersive and interactive concert experience. 

Natalie serves as owner and clinical director of Small Talk OC, a boutique private practice specializing in individualized and family-centered therapy. She loves working with children because it gives her an excuse to play well beyond her childhood years!  Natalie is a licensed Speech-Language Pathologist and holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology through the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) and a Professional Clinical Rehabilitative Services Credential through the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

William is an award-winning musician and holds a B.A in Cinema Production. He is also the founder of Moving Melodies, a music therapy organization, for which he facilitates therapeutic songwriting sessions in mental health and substance use disorder programs. Since 2015, William has written over 4,000 songs in therapy sessions and has seen firsthand the power of music to connect, motivate, and enrich the lives of his clients. He is also certified as a CADC for Addiction Counseling.

William and Natalie live in Orange County, California. They recently welcomed their first child and are thrilled to share the Boogie Barn™ world with him in this next chapter of their life!​

TALKING POINTS

• How to reach children through music
• The benefits of music therapy for kids with developmental differences
• Developing family storytime to build bonds
• Why children’s literature speaks to kids of all ages as well as the young at heart
• The power of play in early literacy and making learning fun
• How music can be used as a tool for early literacy development
• The therapeutic benefits of using music to enhance learning in children
• How music and interactive books can help children who may be struggling to read
• How both William’s and Natalie’s respective professional backgrounds informed the creation of this book series

TIMELY TIE-INS

November 

• National Family Literacy Day – 1
• National STEM/STEAM Day – 8
• National Young Readers Day – 14
• Universal Children’s Day – 20
• World Children’s Day – 20
• National Parent Involvement Day – 21
• National Family Week – Thanksgiving Week

January 

• International Day of Education – 24

February

• Global Day of Play – 5

March

• National Reading Month
• National Music in Our Schools Month
• World Speech Day – 5
• National Children’s Craft Day – 14
• National Neurodiversity Celebration Week – 17-23
• International Day of Happiness – 20

April

• World Autism Awareness Day – 2
• International Children’s Book Day – 2
• Week of the Young Child – 5-11
• National Farm Animals Day – 10

May

• Better Speech and Hearing Month
• National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day – 8
• Children’s Mental Health Week – 4-10
• National Teacher Appreciation Week – 5-9
• International Day of Families – 15
• National Preschool Teachers Appreciation Day – 21

June

• National Children’s Day – 8
• National Music Day – 21