Sharon, Lois and Bram's Skinnamarink

What does "skinnamarink" mean? You may not find its definition in a dictionary, but the meaning is clear to the generations of children who sang along: friendship, happiness, sharing, community and, ultimately, love. This song has been sung in weddings and in classrooms. It can be fun and silly especially with the accompanying actions! And it has a way of bringing people together.

Through Qin Leng's wonderfully imaginative illustrations, this delightful picture book tells the story ofa community coming together. Young and old, from little mice to a big elephant, people and animals gather into a spontaneous parade as they follow the sound of music. (From Tundra Books)

Sharon, Lois & Bramare a Canadian children's musical group that have performed together for over 40 years.

Leng is a children's book illustrator from Toronto who has also illustrated the booksGood Night, Good Nightby Dennis Lee andAwayby Emil Sher.

• Sharon and Bram bid 'skinnamarink adieu' after 40 years
• 30 Canadian picture books to watch for this fall
• Sharon and Bram talk about turning Skinnamarink, their most popular song, into a picture book
• The best Canadian picture books of 2019

Sharon and Bram talk about turning Skinnamarink, their most popular song, into a picture book

Sharon:"We were not looking to educate anybody. We were looking to bring music into the lives of children and their families so that they could enjoy it and take it as their own. That was our goal, but we always chose good songs. They had to appeal to us first of all.

Every person and every animal can identify with the book.- Sharon and Bram

"There were lessons along the way, but that was not the goal. A message where a child and aparent are saying 'I love you' to each otherthere's nothing bad about that."

Bram:"We have all ages, all colours of skin all physical abilities and disabilities.We have families with two dads, we have mice. We have everything you can imagine. Every person and every animal can identify with the book."

Read more in Sharon and Bram's interview with CBC Books.

Interviews with Sharon, Lois & Bram

Sharon and Bram dive into their archives

6 years ago

Duration 2:08

The beloved kids' entertainers bring CBC's Tashauna Reid on a trip down memory lane.

Jessi Cruickshank gets the Skinnamarinky Dinky Dink on life with Sharon and Bram

6 years ago

Duration 3:38

Were they actually that happy all the time?

Lois Lilienstein: An appreciation

9 years ago

Duration 2:37

Lois of the famed children's entertainment troupe Sharon, Lois & Bram dies at 78. Raffi Cavoukian gives his memories of her

Why do you think you've lasted this long?

6 years ago

Duration 1:29

Sharon and Bram on how answering the 'natural' desire to sing aloud, engaging all ages and musicianship have contributed to their longevity.

Other books by Qin Leng