The Book
Harmony Street by Ruth Webster
Illustrations by Kelly Carter
A Word from the Author:
Harmony St. was written as a children’s story. From its inception we intended the story to be performed on stage, but it was never written as a play. Characters do not appear in costume and speak. The stage show features a storyteller and giant projected illustrations that are alive with color. It’s as if we were sharing a book with an audience full of children simultaneously.
The best part of the show, of-course, is the drumming and the opportunity for the children to participate in the final drum circle and dance. To hear those drum rhythms filling the auditorium is an undeniable thrill. It beckons us to journey down Harmony St. to meet the likes of Mr. Edu from Guinea and the teen-age twins from Cuba. The music pulses with life. It envelops us. Children in the audience love it. You can see it in their faces, and read it in their bodies.
The first edition of Harmony St. the book was meant to be a souvenir that someone exiting the show purchased in the lobby. That occurred. Almost immediately, however, we realized that we wanted the book to stand on its own merit. We want the story to speak to a child who might never have the opportunity to see the stage show performed live. We want Harmony St. in everybody’s town, and we want everyone to hear the music.