Behind the Scenes With Wild Thang & Sammy the Toucan

Ever wonder how Wild Thang (Miss Jaymi) and Sammy the Toucan shoot their early literacy videos?  Let's go behind-the-scenes to watch this dynamic duo in action.

That's MPL videographer Rachel Buchanan (on the left) using the Youth Services digital camera to film this segment of Explore to Learn: Early Literacy Fun.  (To watch all of Wild Thang and Sammy's early literacy videos, visit Miss Jaymi's YouTube Channel.)  Scowl-Face is using the Library's new Canon EOS 1100D Rebel T3 digital camera to film the "behind-the-scenes" angle.  (Actually, Scowlly just does a poor job framing the shot.  Hence this "behind-the-scenes" video.)  He used the new tripod, so that's why the camera isn't shaking every which way but loose.  Truly fabulous resolution!  This is the Library's "go-to" HD video and digital still-photography device from now on.

I surely appreciated Wild Thang and Sammy devoting this entire early literacy video to moi for Cauli Le Chat Appreciation Day today.  "Flat" Cauli II was great as my "stand-in" while I was out roaming the streets for the latest news stories.  Unfortunately, because of Scowl-Face's ineptitude in camera angling, the ceiling lights reflected rather harshly off "Flat" Cauli II, washing-out her features.  These things happen in show business.

I was further pleased by the early literacy reading suggestions that Wild Thang and Sammy recommended.  Those cat books were terrific choices! One of my favorite books was featured. (You can see it on my blog background.)  Guess I'd better fetch our book trailer.

If You Give a Cat a Cupcake, by Laura Numeroff
(Felicia Bond, Illustrator)

(MPL Book Trailer #142)

Hearing Wild Thang and Sammy talking about the letter R r reminded moi of pirates, too.  I've got that covered.

Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson

(MPL Book Trailer #49)

My Library blogged about this book as well.  Cybrarians call it "cross-pollination" among the social media.

Weren't Willie and Hank dressed as pirates last October for Halloween?  Let's reprise some blurry photos.

It was a wonderful day of appreciation for moi.  Thanks to everybody for making it so special.

When Is Sammy the Toucan Day?  Just Asking,

Cauli Le Chat

MPL Roving Reporter

My Holiday News Beat

P.S.  "The Cat Came Back" (1956), by Sonny James, was released as a 78 r.p.m. record in the UK.  Not bad sound for a brittle disc made from shellac resin.