What folks are saying

I hope some of you have had the opportunity to invite, Al de Cant and Jill Kubeck to your libraries. If you have not, what are you waiting for? Their Pete the Cat, reading assembly is such a delightful program. So many kids love the character and embrace his cool attitude. Al and Jill provided a lot of singing, dancing and overall fun. We received so many wonderful compliments from the little kids and their parents. After the program every single Pete the Cat book was checked out, so if you are looking for a good turnout and an increase in circulation, please don’t hesitate to invite Al and Jill. 

Paula Carlson, Branch Manager , Fairchild-Nichols Memorial Library Trumbull, CT

In November, we had an election for our next costumed character.  Pete the Cat won, so we had Al deCant do his Pete program before Pete came out.  Al was fabulous.  The show was super interactive and the children were very involved.  In addition, "The Singing Principal" has a beautiful singing voice.  I highly recommend his program.                                                                                                                                                            Karen Vallee, Manchester Public Library, Manchester, CT

 What a fun, entertaining assembly!! Al kept students and staff moving, stomping, tapping and singing along for the entire show. Rockin' and Reading with Pete the Cat incorporated not only music and laughter but the importance of literacy, respect, and kindness. We would definitely enjoy a repeat performance and are happy to highly recommend Al DeCant, "The Singing Principal" to others interested in hosting a lively show! 
Diane Gallitto MacKinnon, Principal Overbrook Elementary School, East Haven, CT 

“The best assembly we ever had!” 
Rima McGeehan, Prospect Elementary School Principal 

Hi Al! Good morning. Thank you for visiting us. Our families and staff members loved your performance and are already asking when you will return. I will be forwarding your information to my supervisor to see if we can setup a visit in the classrooms. 
Again, thank you! Arianis Marte West Haven Community House 

Hi Al, 
Thank you, thank you for spending your morning with us on Friday. Thanks to you, we had a fabulous event.  The kids, the school administration, and Barnes & Noble all had a great time and all loved you and thought your performance was perfect!  I am very lucky to have found you and I am grateful for the time you spent with us. We have a video of Al deCant Family Entertainment performing for the first graders from K.T. Murphy Elementary School, Stamford, CT this morning. This song is called "Read to Me" and stresses the importance of reading aloud to children every day! 
Al is clearly a natural and very talented entertainer - just look how much fun the kids are having! 
Kerry McMahon, Fairfield County Regional Programs Coordinator Reach Out and Read 

Hi Al, 
I want to thank you again for spending your Friday afternoon with us! 
I cannot tell you the amount of parents that came up to me saying you were so fantastic! They were so pleased with how you treated their children! It truly was a "fantastic" time!! 
Pamela A. Lorenzo, MSW, LMSW, Program Manager and Clinical Supervisor Nurturing Families Network 

Hi Al~ 5 days later and we are all still talking about how much we love you!!!! 
Thank you so much for traveling out in the snowy weather on Saturday and for making magical connections with the attendees.  I will be in touch soon so we can plan something for the summer. 
Diana Brancato, Ansonia School Readiness Coordinator 

Thank you so much Mr. deCant ! The kids loved you and your literacy show as well as the teachers! My children have been listening to your cd in the car non stop! I was very impressed by the show and your talent!  We would definitely like to work with you in the future . I will be in touch! 
Warm regards, Courtney Paterna , Orange Avenue School PTA 

I just wanted to sincerely thank you for a tremendous show today!!  We all had so much fun and the kids and parents all seemed to have a wonderful time.  You were just great- so fun, lively, warm and kind. We couldn't have asked for a better ending to our Book Fair and for a better way to bring families together on a Saturday.   
Thank you for your time, creativity and energy! 
All the best, Sharie Stern, Putnam Indian Field School Greenwich, CT 

Hi Al, 
The students enjoyed your performance tremendously. They are still talking about all the different songs they have learned and love listening to the CD. I passed along a copy of all the materials you gave us on to our administrators and the president of our parent organization. I expressed how much the students loved your concert, and how it reinforced the concepts of our character education program.   
Thank you again, Jaime Pawluk, First Grade Teacher, South School, New Canaan, CT 

Hi Al. We had such a great time hosting you at the North Haven Library! Tons of parents came up to me after the show and told me how much fun they had and I know my little one had a great time too! I've attached a couple cute pictures that I thought you'd like to see. Thank you again so much! We all had a great time! 
Emily Jenkins, Head of Children's Services, North Haven Memorial Library, 203-239-5803 

Dear Mr. deCant, 
The entire student body and staff from Tisko Elementary School want to send you a BIG “Thank you”. Your inspiration and explicit instruction helped our students to enjoy your very creative, instructional entertainment. It really is hard to find good cultural awareness activities that help incorporate our new Common Core curriculum standards as your performance does. Mrs. Nelson, a Kindergarten teacher stated, “Finally, something our students at the lower levels can learn from and use within our classrooms”. Your unique songs and creativity helped create a wonderful experience and by the way, Metamorphosis was my favorite! Thank you for inspiring my students to become better learners!!! 
Sincerely yours, James O’Connor, Principal 

Hi Al, 
What a fabulous program last Saturday! Thanks so much for coming to the Cos Cob Library. You were a HUGE hit--absolutely tremendous. I can see why you're such a popular act, and I can't wait to give out your CDs as gifts for friends. I wish you much continued success and hope we can get you back to CCL and possibly my kids' elementary school in the near future! 
Thanks again.  Melissa Devaney, Program Director Cos Cob Library 

Hi Al, 
Thank you for a stellar performance. Everyone had such a great time. 
Tess Beck, Stratford Library 

Al-so fabulous and so much fun for the children and the parents! Thank you so much for a great time and bringing joy to the hearts and the beat of the ELC.  Loved it, loved it, loved it!   
Heather Hartmann Gateway Community College Early Learning Center 

Thank you so much for an amazing show today -- you are a total rock star and I'm thrilled we can have you back in June! You are going to help us get into the early literacy groove in a big way here at Case. 
Best, Michelle DeSarbo Head of Children's Services Case Memorial Library 

Dear Al, 
I have been meaning to write to tell you that you made a HUGE hit in our community! Everyone, young and old, absolutely loved you!  Several parents have said that you must come back again!  I couldn't agree more. Thank you for making our opening picnic and dedication a successful and memorable event.  I love it when parents say they want more, as I am sure you can relate to! :) 
With love and appreciation, Mary Lou, Head of School Cobb School Montessori, Simsbury, CT 

Today at the Trumbull Library we had Al deCant perform his Rocking and Reading with Pete the Cat program. Al performed a combination of old favorites, originals as well as 2 Pete the Cat titles.  The children and parents were very engaged and fun was had by all.   Al was a delight to work with, and I look forward to having him back at our library soon.   
Kara S. Canney, Trumbull Library 

We had a wonderful program last night with Al deCant! Al performed his Pajama Jam program for a very enthusiastic group of children and their parents.  He is enthusiastic, talented, energetic, and genuinely likes being around children.  Al recently retired from his job as an elementary school principal and is focusing on his music programs.  I highly recommend him for your library or local school!”                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Allison Murphy, Children’s Library Programmer Mark Twain Library, Redding, CT                                                                                              

Hi Al 
Once again you were a HUGE hit with the kids. The kids really loved your silly songs, your fun props and your energetic personality.  Move over Wiggles, Al de Cant is the new kids’ favorite!   
Sincerely, Danielle Dumont, Executive Director Milford's Promise, Milford, CT

Hi Al, 

We received rave reviews from the parents that were at your program on Monday.  One lady called to let us know and I saw someone at a local restaurant last night and she made a point of coming to me to tell me how much she enjoyed it!  The rest of the moms told a staff member downstairs how great it was.  We love hearing positive comments about the programs we book.

JoAnn Yachulke, Children's Librarian New Fairfield Public Library, New Fairfield, CT

Orange Peck Place principal retiring, but still plans to work with kids

https://www.nhregister.com/news/article/Orange-Peck-Place-principal-retiring-but-still-11531471.php