Mary Howard (Librarian, Southern Pines Public Library, Southern Pines, NC) invited me to help launch the weekly after school alphabet discovery program for Pre-K3 to kindergarteners (ages 3-5) in August 2026.  The 20-minute lesson plan included a video illustrating letter “A.”  As a former elementary school teacher, I explained the different ways “A” is pronounced in words.

I used two visual aids during my talk.  I commissioned the creation of a colorful poster with paintings of many objects starting with or containing letter A (a) with the short and long sounds.  Songs that I played on my accordion (gifted to me by the late Lou Le Brun, a virtuoso student of Anthony Galla-Rini) included: Skip to My Lou; Oh, Where Has My Little Dog Gone?; Mary Had A Little Lamb; Puff, the Magic Dragon; How Much Is That Doggie in the Window; I Can Sing a Rainbow and other primary songs.  

Briefly I explained the workings of the accordion at a level that 3–5- year-olds could comprehend e.g., “Where does the air/sound come from?”. I spoke as long as the interest was warranted. Due to the short attention span of this very young group, I gave a limited but special “information session” to introduce the accordion.

I think the children and their parents in the audience were captivated by the talk, demonstration and songs that were played on the accordion. Parents encouraged their shy children to interact. Some of the attendees stayed afterwards to talk to me or touch the notes again.

I must admit it was easier than I thought it would be to present this program. Some withdrawn children were fascinated; while some were not sure why they were there. Watching the children and parents respond to the instrument and its special sounds was a fun experience for me. Parents were just as excited about my presentation. The children were attentive and enthralled with the sight and sound of the accordion during my talk.

For September I was also invited to give a program at the Library tailored to 5th graders on “What is an Accordion?” In greater depth, I will discuss the inner workings of the accordion, incorporate the book, “An Accordion! What Is That?” by Karen Malan-Uribe (author), Joan Geller Grauman (illustrator), and Mary Tokarski (music and audio narrator) and lead the group in singing.

Photo Credits: Mary Howard – Southern Pines Public Library, Southern Pines, NC