ORANGE : Show’s Star Brightens Day for Kids in Hospital

The singing star of The Learning Channel’s “Rory and Me” helped a roomful of ill youngsters find their voices at Children’s Hospital of Orange County on Thursday.

The singer-songwriter and her three-man combo, Knock Your Socks Off, drew only muted audience participation at first from about 50 patients and parents. But when they broke into “It’s a Crazy World,” the young faces lit up as the children enthusiastically joined in on the refrain.

“That was the best job I’ve ever heard on that song,” Rory declared after a round of enthusiastic applause. “Do you want to come on the road with us? Because that song will never sound the same.”

Rory, who does not use her last name, has traveled frequently to schools and concert halls since beginning her career 10 years ago. She now is familiar among preschoolers as the host of The Learning Channel’s six-hour programming block called “Ready, Set, Learn!”

Seven half-hour shows run without commercials and are geared to children 2 to 6 years old, but they also appeal to older youngsters, said the singer, who mingled with the audience.

“All kids are alike,” she said. “All kids believe and should believe they can be anything. I think sick kids want to feel like everybody else.”

Anaheim’s Karla Rivas, 10, who also has a TV career in mind, said she picked up some tips from Rory. “You have to be really happy and show the kids that you are nice and proud to see them,” she said.

Comcast Cablevision in Santa Ana sponsored Rory’s show at Children’s Hospital and will air the segment next month. Rory will also perform at the Anaheim Convention Center on Saturday.