So I am a grades K-1 Autistic Support teacher (special education, ages 5 to 6) and I use music to help my students transition between activities in the classroom. This week, I am using "Starfish and Coffee." (Last week, I used "Shining Star" by Earth Wind & Fire.) Playing "Starfish and Coffee" as often as I do right now, I started wondering if Prince ever considered having a book published in which the words are the lyrics to the song. Pharrell has a book for "Happy" (http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/318920/happy-by-pharrell-williams/9780399176432/). I have a children's book called "The Twelve Days of Christmas" with the words being the lyrics to that song.

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I wonder if anyone ever suggested this to Prince. If anyone on here has connections to Paisley Park, maybe it would be a suggestion for the estate to consider. A "Starfish and Coffee" book would be a great way to introduce Prince to the younger generation. Also, I think that the song tells a story and would lend itself well to a children's book format when paired with the right illustrator.

206Michelle said:

So I am a grades K-1 Autistic Support teacher (special education, ages 5 to 6) and I use music to help my students transition between activities in the classroom. This week, I am using "Starfish and Coffee." (Last week, I used "Shining Star" by Earth Wind & Fire.) Playing "Starfish and Coffee" as often as I do right now, I started wondering if Prince ever considered having a book published in which the words are the lyrics to the song. Pharrell has a book for "Happy" (http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/318920/happy-by-pharrell-williams/9780399176432/). I have a children's book called "The Twelve Days of Christmas" with the words being the lyrics to that song.

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I wonder if anyone ever suggested this to Prince. If anyone on here has connections to Paisley Park, maybe it would be a suggestion for the estate to consider. A "Starfish and Coffee" book would be a great way to introduce Prince to the younger generation. Also, I think that the song tells a story and would lend itself well to a children's book format when paired with the right illustrator.

Yes.

Prince and Mayte planned an album called "Happy Tears". A press release was issued for it on 1/4/96.

This was to be an album of children's songs which came with an accompanying story book, and then a read-along cassette of the storybook.

And "Starfish & Coffee" was indeed considered for this project.

The album was cancelled due to the death of their child.

Militant said:

-/ So old Susan ripped off the idea.

laurarichardson said:

-/ So old Susan ripped off the idea.

Considering she wasn't in his life directly at the time, I doubt she knew about it. Susannah, her name by the way, is a mom and has a great heart in being a mom to her children. I'm frankly surprised she's never written a children's book before now. Besides, it's her story. She can write or tell it how she wants. If anyone took the idea from someone, it was Prince taking it from her childhood, not his.

If you are using this song with young children and you are not aware of Prince's MUPPET SHOW appearance then you must find this!!! - he does a wonderful rendition of STARFISH & COFFEE with the MUPPETS

It brings tears to my eyes as it is so sweet - but I also read that he continued with this performance directly after the death of his son!!!

TrivialPursuit said:

-- If she is not listed on the copyright she can't since we have good old copyright laws. Notice that she did not do this project while he was alive. Susan is riding the gravy train and getting her hustle on.

TrivialPursuit said:

-- If she is not listed on the copyright she can't since we have good old copyright laws. Notice that she did not do this project while he was alive. Susan is riding the gravy train and getting her hustle on.

Yes, Prince spoke about writing children's books. It would have been wonderful, no doubt.

Militant said:

206Michelle said:

So I am a grades K-1 Autistic Support teacher (special education, ages 5 to 6) and I use music to help my students transition between activities in the classroom. This week, I am using "Starfish and Coffee." (Last week, I used "Shining Star" by Earth Wind & Fire.) Playing "Starfish and Coffee" as often as I do right now, I started wondering if Prince ever considered having a book published in which the words are the lyrics to the song. Pharrell has a book for "Happy" (http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/318920/happy-by-pharrell-williams/9780399176432/). I have a children's book called "The Twelve Days of Christmas" with the words being the lyrics to that song.

--

I wonder if anyone ever suggested this to Prince. If anyone on here has connections to Paisley Park, maybe it would be a suggestion for the estate to consider. A "Starfish and Coffee" book would be a great way to introduce Prince to the younger generation. Also, I think that the song tells a story and would lend itself well to a children's book format when paired with the right illustrator.

Yes.

Prince and Mayte planned an album called "Happy Tears". A press release was issued for it on 1/4/96.

This was to be an album of children's songs which came with an accompanying story book, and then a read-along cassette of the storybook.

And "Starfish & Coffee" was indeed considered for this project.

The album was cancelled due to the death of their child.

Thank you, Militant. I have heard about the album "Happy Tears" and the accompanying book, and that their son's death was the likely reason for it never being released. I was unaware of what songs were considered for it though.

Boydie said:

If you are using this song with young children and you are not aware of Prince's MUPPET SHOW appearance then you must find this!!! - he does a wonderful rendition of STARFISH & COFFEE with the MUPPETS It brings tears to my eyes as it is so sweet - but I also read that he continued with this performance directly after the death of his son!!!

I am aware of the video, and I think it is fabulous! In fact, I showed it to a few students today; they aren't in my class, but are 2nd-4th graders. Anyhow, one of the school buses was late, so I pulled up the video on my cell phone to keep them entertained while they waited. I don't think that they completely grasped the video. They definitely need some more background knowledge or more familiarity with the song to understand the message. The video is also 20 years old, so then it would be necessary to explain the situation with P changing his name to a symbol. See 20 years ago, I was 10 years old, so I remember the name change from a kid's point of view. I thought Prince was a weirdo for it, but at least him changing his name to a symbol was relevant because it was in the news.

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But, like I said, it's a fabulous video.