Psalty

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Psalty the Singing Songbook is the "big blue book" featured in the children's music Kids Praise! albums. Psalty was created by Debby Kerner & Ernie Rettino, who also plays the characters of Psalty and Psaltina (and many others) on their album appearances. He and the Kids Praise! Kids travel around the world, singing and telling children about Jesus. Psalty has a Wife (Psaltina), triplets (Harmony, Melody, and Rhythm), and a dog who always hits the wrong notes (Blooper)! Other characters Psalty runs into are the fame-seeking Charity Churchmouse, the singing firefly Farley McFirefly, and of course the swindling villain, Risky Rat. There are ten Kids Praise! albums, each one having a different life lesson from God's Word.

Contents

[edit] Appearances:

[edit] Kids Praise! 1: An Explosion of Happiness! (1980)

Psalty's first appearance -he searches for kids to sing praises with him.

  • Songs:
  1. Amen Praise the Lord
  2. Say to the Lord I Love You
  3. Behold What Manner of Love
  4. The Butterfly Song
  5. Seek Ye First
  6. Jesus Name Above All Names
  7. Heaven Is a Wonderful Place
  8. The Wa Wa Song
  9. Father I Adore You
  10. Children of the Lord

[edit] Kids Praise! 2: Joy-fulliest Noise (1981)

After stumbling upon two kids going fishing, Psalty and the Kids Praise Kids teach them how to become fishers of men and how to build their life on a firm foundation.

  • Songs:
  1. Matt 16:34
  2. Sandyland
  3. Jesus
  4. Arky Arky
  5. Make A Joyful Noise
  6. Clap De Hands
  7. Praise God
  8. In His Time
  9. Lord Be Glorified

[edit] Kids Praise! Christmas: Psalty's Christmas Calamity (1982)

In this episode, Psalty and the kids are putting on a Christmas show. While practicing, the kids notice Psalty's pages are dusty. After trying different solutions, the disastrous result is the shrinking of Psalty's pages. The kids go home in a state of hopelessness, with Psalty left depressed at home.

God speaks to Psalty and reminds him that it is only through God's strength that anything is accomplished.

Relying on God for strength, the Christmas show goes just fine.

  • Songs: Joy To The World, O Come All Ye Faithful Medley: Away In A Manger, Angels We Have Heard On High, We Three Kings, The First Noel, Psalty's Shampoo, Christmas Is A Time To Love, Fix It, Not By Might, Jingle Bells Medley: Here We Come A Caroling, Deck The Halls, God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, Ding Dong Merrily On High, Silent Night, Joy To The World.

[edit] Kids Praise! 3: Funtastic Family

Psalty's family are introduced :Psaltina, Harmony, Melody, and Rhythm. They explain the concept of the family of God and the body of Christ.

  • Songs:
  1. It's Time To Praise The Lord
  2. Ha La La La
  3. The Body Song
  4. Praise The Lord Together
  5. Just Like You
  6. Joy Joy
  7. 1 2 3 Jesus Loves Me
  8. I Love You Lord
  9. Stand Up
  10. Welcome To The Family

[edit] Kids Praise! 4: Singsational Servants (1984)

Two new characters appear in this album: Charity Churchmouse and Risky Rat. While praising the Lord in the attic of their church, Psalty and the kids meet Charity-an aspiring churchmouse who plans to become "a Gospel singing star on 'Mouse Tail Records.'" Her talent is unmistakable, but she seems to have one fatal flaw: she isn't praising the Lord from her heart! However, after having a terrible nightmare (in which Risky Rat tricks her into mouse-trapping her), she begins to realize that in order to be a star she must first be a servant. She then decides to stay and become the leader of the Churchmouse Choir.

  • Songs
  1. We're Singing Praises
  2. Servant of All
  3. Take All of Me
  4. Draw Me Nearer
  5. Beautiful
  6. Beethoven's New 9th
  7. Recipe Song
  8. Charity's Dream
  9. Make Me a Servant
  10. Jesus Put The Song In My Heart

[edit] Kids Praise! 5: Psalty's Camping Adventure

Psalty and the kids are all prepared to head off on an adventure in the wilderness, when Psalty's dog Blooper shows up. Psalty is reluctant to bring him but the kids convince him. The kids soon grow weary of their trek up the mountain, and begin to grumble not unlike the Israelites. Psalty inspires them with a song about taking mountains one step at a time. Following this advice, they make it to the top.

While setting up camp, two of the troop, Matthew and Lisa, disobey directions and wander off, ending up lost and separated from the camp. Back at camp, the kids learn self-reliance in putting up their tents, sing campfire songs and confront fears of the dark with a new friend, Scottish-bred fear-fighting Farley McFirefly. Farley is missing a wing, so he can't fly like other bugs, but he gives the glory to God anyway, and shows the kids how they can glorify God even in bad circumstances. He then lights the way to searching for Matthew and Lisa.

Matthew and Lisa are hopelessly lost, and pray to God in a song, casting all their cares on Him. At the same time, Psalty and the kids sing the same song as they are unable to locate their missing troop members. Blooper finally sniffs them out, and they have a happy reunion.

The kids learn how God can use even the smallest of them to do big things if they stick with it and trust Him.

[edit] Kids Praise! 6: Heart to Change the World

Psalty shows the kids another one of his inventions: the Psaltyscope. He uses it to teach the kids about being a missionary, and different places around the world. Psalty also reaches out to an estranged boy hanging around outside, and confronts his own son's selfishness.

The kids learn how they can change the world and can start in their own backyard!

[edit] Kids Praise! 7: Psalty's Hymnological Adventure Through Time

Using yet another invention, Psalty and the kids accidentally travel far back in history, but they use the opportunity to learn about "the music of God's family; the hymns of the church!"

They visit the King David as a shepherd boy still composing psalms and praises. They journey to the splendorous temple of Solomon to witness the praising of God. They evade temple guards and shoot forward to a 19th century printing press, then to a church where John Newton is speaking and join in singing Amazing Grace. They visit the blind composer Fanny Crosby, and sing a medley of her songs.

Finally, the kids visit Psalty himself, when he was just a booklet. Psalty Jr. joins Present Day Psalty in a touching rendition of Take My Life and Let It Be.

[edit] Kids Praise! 8: Play Ball!

It's baseball time, and Psalty is coaching the kids under the team name Psalters. The Psalters have a lot to learn, but Psalty helps them learn the basics of the game. Their first match-up is against a bullying team called the Bulldogs. The Bulldogs easily defeat the Psalters.

The kids are discouraged, but Psalty tries to console the Kids Praise! Kids up by singing to them how in God's eyes there are no losers, we are all winners in God's Kingdom.

The Psalters go up against the Bulldogs in a rematch. When the coach is absent (due to a failure of the Psalty SuperSonic Scooter) the children once again turn in prayer to the Lord. They manage to win the game, and the Bulldogs agree they should form a partnership to learn from each other's team tactics.

The kids learn about sportsmanship, how to rely on God, and how in God's eyes, there are no losers.

[edit] Kids Praise! 10: Salvation Celebration

Psalty, Psaltina and Charity Churchmouse are leading the Kids Praise! Kids on a "Whistle Stop" train tour, on their way to St. Louis. They make stops along the way to sing songs and spread the good news of the Gospel. But not all is well. Risky Rat is on their tail! He tags along on the train disguised as a talent agent and tries to convince one of the kids to chase fame and fortune. Psalty and Charity teach her that God has a plan for her life. The girl eventually makes her decision; to commit her life to Christ. Risky has lost. The train arrives in St. Louis, and the mayor honors Psalty for his work with kids and spreading the Gospel.

While that happens, Risky Rat steals the Kids Praise! 9 episode and revenge and sneaks off - so 10 must come before 9! Psalty and the kids are distraught, but are reminded that Jesus is Lord of All no matter what.

[edit] Kids Praise! 9: The Search For Psalty's Missing 9

Risky rat has stolen all of Episode 9 "The Secret of How To Grow in the Lord" Kids Praise! Albums, and it is up to Psalty and the kids chase him to Africa to find it. Along the way, they learn how Christians must bond together, because even the hottest coal, if set apart from the fire, will go out.

The meet the bookables, a rogue tribe of books that eat other books! Psalty manages to talk them out of eating him, and instead, teaches them of Jesus.

They catch up with Risky Rat, but not in time. Risky dumps all of the Kids Praise! 9 tapes and records into a volcano. Psalty and the kids are devastated. They must come to grips with the fact that God obviously has a purpose in mind.

On their return trip, one of the kids plays his tape recorder back, and Psalty learns the boy was taping their entire trip -- all while they discussed how to grow in the Lord! The tape can take the place of the missing 9! Things turn out okay after all.

[edit] Pow Pow Power To Live God's Way

Charity Churchmouse is trying to help the Kids Praisers earn money for a missionary trip to France, but Risky Rat (disguised as Pierre Rat Le Mal) decides to try and foil their plan.

[edit] Psalty's Family Christmas Sing-a-long

A recording of Christmas songs linked by a story.

  • Tracks are:
  1. "Bark" The Herald Angels Sing,
  2. The Little Drummer Boy,
  3. I'm Gonna Wrap Myself Up for Christmas,
  4. Caroling Medley: Over the River and Through the Woods, Sleigh Ride, Caroling Caroling, Ring Around the World.
  5. Go Tell It On the Mountain,
  6. The Twelve Days of Christmas,
  7. Twinkle Medley: Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Far Away, O Holy Night.
  8. Joy to the World Medley: Joy to the World, O Come All Ye Faithful, Some Children See Him, O Come All Ye Faithful Reprise

[edit] Charity Churchmouse - "On The Front Line"

  • Songs: Super-Charged Churchmouse, Risky's Fast Deal, The Warm Up Song, Oh Happy Day, Charity's Heart Song, Bible Drill with I'm in the Lord's Army, Risky's Rap, Purple Pipe Praise, All Hail King Jesus

[edit] Psalty's Bible Stories, Parables & Songs

  • Stories:
  1. David & Goliath
  2. Stevie Stealer
  3. Noah & the Ark
  • Songs:
  1. Bible Stories & Parables
  2. I'm Gonna Fight a Giant
  3. Do What's Right
  4. Put Your Hands Together
  5. Noah Built the Ark and Sailed Away
  6. Bible Stories & Parables Reprise


[edit] Psalty's Stocking Stuffer

1993 album on Word records, featuring 6 songs and 2 stories. This featured some of Ernie Rettino's other project Solomon the Supersonic Salamander. It features the characters Solomon Salamander, Max Magpie, Mrs. Beaverton, Slidekick, and Bo Evil.

  • Stories:
  1. Mini story from Solomon the Supersonic Salamnder: Choosing Good Friends
  2. Mini story from Psalty In Australia
  • Songs:
  1. God Has a Plan For My Life (from Psalty's Salvation Celebration)
  2. Get Hot Stay Hot (from Psalty's Search For the Missing 9)
  3. I'm a Little Praiser (from Psalty's Songs For Little Praisers)
  4. This Little Light of Mine (from Psalty's Funtastic Praise Party)
  5. Solomon the Supersonic Salamander(from Solomon the Supersonic Salamander: Choosing Good Friends)
  6. Never Right To Lie (from Solomon the Supersonic Salamander: Telling the Truth)


[edit] Psalty's Funtastic Praise Party 1

Aside from Kids Praise 4 and 5, this is one of the first video tapes produced by the Kids Praise! team. There is also an album release of the same name.

Psalty is taking his show on the road! But Risky Rat isn't about to let all that praise go unimpeded. He phones all of the kids and tells them the show is cancelled. Thus, Psalty is left by himself when the time comes! Psalty makes the best of it, and soon receives help from giant praise boxes, Tweeter, Midi and Woofer. They will assist Psalty in praising the Lord, and when they are full of praise, they will take it straight to the Lord.

Psalty leads the audience in several songs from his tapes, and uses elaborate sets, puppets, and lighting effects to recreate scenes. Members of the audience are invited to come up on stage and take part in the songs -- even grown-ups! Kids take part on marshmellow roasts, and everyone is treated to giant bouncing beach balls all over the auditorium.

During the show, Risky Rat attempts contact with Psalty with a telegram, pretending to be the owner of the theater, and telling them their contract has expired. Charity Churchmouse makes contact soon after, and says she saw Risky Rat mailing the telegram. Psalty leads the audience in further praise songs, which eventually drives Risky Rat (lurking about in the wings) away.

In the end, Psalty brings it all to a head by doing what he does best, giving a salvation message, and inviting the kids who would like to give their hearts to the Lord up on stage, and leading them in prayer.

Trivia

  • The man delivering the telegram is none other than Rob Rigg, the actor who plays Risky Rat.
  • There are numerous times throughout the program where you can see the tops of heads of the puppeteers inside the three praise boxes.
  • The three boxes have names after speaker systems. MIDI stands for Musical Instrument Digital Interface. Woofer is from a sub-woofer, the term for a base speaker, and Tweeters are high-frequency speakers.

[edit] Psalty's Funtastic Praise Party 2

Album release has songs only (no story).

[edit] Psalty's Songs For Li'l Praisers

[edit] Singalongathon (Maranatha Marathon Hallelujah Jubille!)

[edit] Psalty's Might-Mini Musical: "Kids Praise-A-Luia"

[edit] Psalty's Might-Mini Musical: "Growing Up In God,"

[edit] Songs from Psalty's Kids Bible 1

[edit] Songs from Psalty's Kids Bible 2

[edit] The Big Adventures of Little Psalty

[edit] Psalty's Sleepytime Helpers Episode #1 ­ Baby Birdy Bomber

Psalty is tinkering around in the workshop when two kids, Bobby and Tammy, seek him out. Psalty introduces them to his new Musiquizzical quilt, which will take you on an adventure if you answer questions about the Bible. Bobby and Tammy pass, and Psalty takes them to watch the time his daughter Melody rescued a baby bird that had fallen from its nest. The baby's mother returns and thanks Melody, and they all sing a song about how God cares, and He's always there.

The kids return to the workshop, confident in the knowledge that God sees even the tiniest sparrow fall, and cares about His children even more.

[edit] Psalty's Sleepytime Helpers Episode #2: Rough Ridin¹ Rodeo

[edit] Psalty's Sleepytime Helpers Episode #3: Kids Praise Parade

[edit] Psalty's Sleepytime Helpers Episode #4: Blooper's Bloopers

[edit] Psalty's Sleepytime Helpers Episode #5: Caper At the Castle

[edit] Psalty's Sleepytime Helpers Episode #6: Uh-Oh Art Projects

[edit] Psalty's Sleepytime Helpers Episode #7: Fearfightin' Farley

[edit] Books

The Kids' Praise Adventure Series presented by Focus on the Family. Most are written by Ken Gire and were released in 1988.


Psalty's Worldwide Adventure Series by Ernie and Debby Rettino. They were released in 1991 and illustrated by Dale Wehlacz.


Ernie and Debby Rettino also wrote the Solomon the Supersonic Salamander series (AKA The Wisdom Series). They were illustrated by Dirk Wunderlich and they were released in 1992.

  • Choosing Good Friends (book number 1) ISBN 0-8499-1017-X (a version of this story, and a song about Solomon appear on the 1993 album, Psalty's Stocking Stuffer)
  • Telling the Truth (book number 2) ISBN 0-8499-1018-8 (a song about this story appears on the album, Psalty's Stocking Stuffer)

[edit] Trivia

Psalty's voice is played by Ernie Rettino, who also founded and runs Kid's Praise with his wife, Debby Kerner Rettino (who plays Psaltina), and stars as Psalty in the various Kid's Praise movies and some live shows.
The character has been little seen since about the mid-1990's.
One of Psalty's favorite sayings is, "Praise the Lord!"

[edit] External links

Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org../../../p/s/a/Psalty.html"