For Your Consideration: Best Children’s Album

RAINBOW SEEKERS

“Ants on a Log tries to help children discover and celebrate their true colors... [Rainbow Seekers] honors not only the hues of the Pride flag but also any form of creative self-expression.”

—New York Times

Ants on a Log’s fourth full-length album, Rainbow Seekers, joyfully invites all children to explore identity and self-expression, while specifically uplifting trans and queer families.

In the midst of increasingly prevalent anti-trans legislation and violence, Rainbow Seekers is an affirming celebration of queer families. The album introduces listeners to gender-expansiveness with humor and harmony, while offering universal messages of belonging for all children.

“A shiny, shimmery celebration of and for queer families…This one-of-a-kind glittery dance party is essential listening for all families.”
— Veronica Schwartz De Fazio, Kids Rhythm and Rock / School Library Journal

Written by Julie Be and Miles Crabtree, two trans and nonbinary music therapists, the eight original songs on Rainbow Seekers deliver language and concepts that are refreshingly relevant for queer families as well as universal messages of self-expression and inclusion. Nonbinary pronouns are integrated in playful, accessible ways, making the album an invaluable tool for modeling pronoun fluency and ensuring that when a child meets nonbinary peers, they will have the knowledge to respect their new friends and use their pronouns. Words like gender, nonbinary, and niblings (a gender-neutral word for relatives) are skillfully incorporated into the album’s lyrics, normalizing queer language, and modeling usage. Rainbow Seekers builds a universe where every child, regardless of gender identity, enjoys the freedom to explore hairstyles, clothing, and favorite activities.

HIGHLIGHTS:

  • “They’re My Best Friend” was the first song with exclusively nonbinary pronouns to be played on national radio stations.

  • What can kids call their nonbinary parents if not mom or dad? The harmony-laden lullaby “Moppa” weaves in five answers to this question (Moppa, Baba, Zeze, Renny, and Maddy) based on a community survey.

  • “The History of Blue and Pink,” featuring Grammy winners Alphabet Rockers, is a melodic hip hop track addressing the origins of blue and pink as gendered colors.

  • “My Suspenders” is an upbeat jazz tune featuring trans and nonbinary children’s voices responding to the question, What clothing makes you feel most like yourself?

  • The RAINBOW SEEKERS MUSICAL was highlighted in the NY Times as a featured 2024 Pride event!

  • This is our favorite review :)

In this time of urgency for trans justice and queer rights, Ants on a Log is providing much needed representation for families and communities. Rainbow Seekers includes trans, nonbinary, queer, and ally guest stars to send a message of solidarity and support to trans kids and queer families: We see you, we celebrate you, and we are here for you!

Guest artists include pop-punk musicians Evan Greer and Fureigh (the Shondes/the Homobiles/Middle-Aged Queers), and kindie musicians Alphabet Rockers, Strawbitty Yops, Carrie Ferguson, Lavender Blues, and Lindz Amer,

The RAINBOW SEEKERS MUSICAL was highlighted in the NY Times as a featured 2024 Pride event!

“How lucky we are to have such joyful music with which we might celebrate our trans lives. Thank you, dear Ants, for the toe-tapping, head bobbing laughter and giggles and great big grins.”
— Kate Bornstein

“Rainbow Seekers is more than just an album; it is a celebration of identity, a resource for education, and a beacon of joy and inclusion for children and families everywhere.”
— Ryan Cassata, Rock the Pigeon

"When I hear ‘They're My Best Friend’ it still makes me choke up, thinking of the early days when my five year old child shared their gender was not what everyone assumed. Your mix of songs provided such incredible support for us to introduce gender identity to friends and family."
—David, parent of a transgender child

“So much fun! Catchy hits about living our best lives as our authentic selves.”
-Rebecca Kling, Co-author of The Advocate Educator's Handbook: Creating Schools Where Transgender and Non-Binary Students Thrive

ALBUM CREDITS

In addition to the guest stars listed above, Rainbow Seekers features Lucas Paquette on saxes (@partybaaand, @magdanbrass), Martronimous on trumpet (@martronimous), Miles Wilcox on cello (@mr_miles_music), Lauren Parker on guitar (@lauren.b.parker), and Dean Jones on Wurlitzer and other tiny sounds). Mixed and produced by Julie Be and Dean Jones. Recorded by Julie Be, drum recording by Chance Milestone. Kids on “My Suspenders”: Simone, Alex, Atticus, Max. Lyrics by Julie Be, with additional lyrics by Lindz Amer. “The History of Blue and Pink” by Julie Be and Alphabet Rockers. Ants on a Log is Julie Be, Anya Rose, and Miles Crabtree.

Thank you for your consideration!

(c) 2024 Ant Hill