Check out My Newest Guest Post From Authors Latifa Kimberly Reeves, Mark Larson, and Lisa Hart PLUS Learn About Their New Book 'Animals Are Great' & Enter A Giveaway! #TikaTikaTime ~

This post is sponsored by Expound Publicity. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal views.

Why Movement and Music Are Essential for Early Childhood Development

“Animals Are Great” is a lively and engaging children’s book that encourages young readers to dive into the playful world of animal sounds. You can find it here: https://a.co/d/j3TOOpC. The book was inspired by my work as a preschool music teacher—kids love to pretend they are animals, make silly noises, and move their bodies. I wanted to create an interactive experience that invites children to explore their full vocal range while having fun. Our goal was to design a book that not only fosters reading but also encourages creativity and physical play.

What makes “Animals Are Great” even more special is that it’s part of a larger multimedia project: Tika Tika Time—Tikatikatime.com, a creative company I co-founded with Mark Larson and Lisa Hart. Together, we blend our talents in music, storytelling, and visual media to create joyful, meaningful content for young audiences. Alongside the book, we produced an Animals Are Great YouTube video: https://youtu.be/CHJvYjb999M?feature=shared, where I—Miss Latifa—sing and demonstrate fun movements to go along with the animal sounds. This video gives children the chance to interact through both music and movement, whether they’re reading the book or watching online. To make this easily accessible, we included a QR code inside the book cover that links directly to our Tika Tika Time YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/@tikatikatime?si=p4I8-w90O518lfB9, which features a collection of interactive music videos.

Movement and music play a vital role in early childhood development. When children engage their bodies and voices through rhythm, they build essential physical, cognitive, and emotional skills. Activities that incorporate music and movement help strengthen motor coordination, language abilities, memory, social interaction, and self-expression. They also foster a strong brain-body connection, spark creativity, and provide joyful, play-based learning opportunities.

A key part of our vision was to create music that parents and caregivers would enjoy, too. By recording real instruments and playing as live musicians, we ensured that our songs sound authentic, warm, and fun—not just for kids, but for listeners of all ages. Since adults often spend a lot of time with children’s media, we wanted the experience to be enjoyable for the whole family. Our aim was to craft music that bridges generations—engaging for children while also offering an inviting soundscape for adults.

A little about us:
I, Latifa Reeves, am a soulful artist whose spiritual energy shines through in every part of my work. As a singer, co-front woman of the acclaimed Mama Said Band, and a passionate preschool music teacher, I’ve long dreamed of creating a children’s album that fosters joy and connection through music. Together with Mark, I composed music that speaks to both children and adults and later teamed up with Lisa to bring the whimsical world of Tika Tika Time—and our magical land of Precious Nation—to life.

Mark Larson is a gifted musician, composer, producer, and guitar teacher, known for his ability to seamlessly blend music and storytelling. What began as a collaboration on a children’s album naturally evolved into the broader vision of Tika Tika Time. Along with Lisa, Mark brings dynamic energy and innovation to our creative projects, always looking for new ways to merge music, art, and narrative for young audiences.

Lisa Hart is a healer, singer, songwriter, and actress, whose heart-centered creativity is woven into all she creates. Lisa’s imagination, playful spirit, and deep love for children’s storytelling bring warmth and joy to the Tika Tika Timeuniverse. Together, the three of us are dedicated to inspiring, uplifting, and nurturing young minds through music, stories, and interactive experiences.

And, of course, we can’t forget our adorable mascot—Ear Worm—our furry friend and plush toy companion! Ear Worm playfully pops up throughout Tika Tika Time, helping kids remember songs and sounds while adding a bit of extra magic to the experience. You can find the Ear Worm plush toy, along with our latest sing-along books “I Love That Train” and “No More Sugar”, on our website: Tikatikatime.com.

Our mission with “Animals Are Great” and Tika Tika Time is to spark joy, creativity, and a lifelong love of music and storytelling in children. We truly believe that when learning is fun and magical, it creates memories that last a lifetime—and that’s what we aim to share with every child and family who joins us on this journey.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Animals are Great
Written by Latifa Kimberly Reeves, Mark Larson, and Lisa Hart

Ages: 3-12 | 26 Pages

Publisher: Tika Tika Time (2025) | ISBN: 979-8349311215

Publisher’s Book Summary: Animals are great! In this whimsical book written by the team at Tika Tika Time, children will see a variety of animals. Tika Tika Time is a children’s multimedia entertainment brand filled with fun and silliness. Kids sing along and engage with lively videos featuring original music. The playful animations and whimsical characters spark joy and creativity. Each video encourages movement, laughter, and learning through music. Companion books bring the songs to life with colorful illustrations. Interactive elements keep children engaged and excited to participate. Designed to entertain and educate, tika tika time makes learning feel like play. With catchy tunes and cheerful energy, it’s a magical adventure for kids everywhere!

PURCHASE LINK

Amazon ~ Barnes and Noble ~ Bookshop.org

ABOUT THE CREATORS

Latifa Reeves is a soulful artist whose spiritual essence infuses every aspect of her work. As a powerful singer and dedicated teacher, she has inspired countless children through the joy of music. Co-front woman of the acclaimed Mama Said Band, Latifa’s captivating voice and passion for performance have left audiences enchanted.

Mark Larson is a talented musician, composer, producer, and guitar teacher whose diverse creative journey has taken him into the world of children’s multimedia. Known for his ability to blend music with storytelling, Mark was approached by renowned artist Latifa Reeves to co-write and co-produce a children’s album.

Lisa Hart is a multi-talented healer, singer, songwriter, and actress, now stepping into the world of children’s media with a heart full of creativity and love. Inspired by her partner, Latifa Reeves, and her beloved Mark Larson, Lisa’s work is a reflection of the deeply collaborative and co-creative process she shares with those close to her.

For more information, visit tikatikatime.com

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