An irresistible book of poems about dancing that mimic the rhythms of social dances from cha-cha to two-step, by the acclaimed author of Mirror Mirror
Marilyn Singer has crafted a vibrant collection of poems celebrating all forms of social dance from samba and salsa to tango and hip-hop. The rhythm of each poem mimics the beat of the dances’ steps. Together with Kristi Valiant’s dynamic illustrations, the poems create a window to all the ways dance enters our lives and exists throughout many cultures. This ingenious collection will inspire readers to get up and move!
Included with the book is an audio CD of the author reading each poem accompanied by original music from composer Jonathon Roberts.
On sale: March 7, 2017
Age: 5-8 years
Grade: Grades K-3
Page count: 32 Pages
ISBN: 9780803740211
Reading level: Lexile: 490L
Marilyn Singer is an award-winning author of more than 90 children's books in a wide variety of genres. She was the 2015 winner of the NCTE Excellence in Poetry for Children Award. She, her husband, and their standard poodle divide their time between Brooklyn and Litchfield County, Connecticut.
Kristi Valiant is the illustrator of
Pretty Minnie in Paris,
Pretty Minnie in Hollywood, the Little Wings chapter book series, and
Penguin Cha-Cha, which she wrote and illustrated. She graduated magna cum laude from Columbus College of Art & Design. Kristi lives (and dances!) in Indiana with her husband and daughters.
"The beautiful illustrations exude the energy ofthe dancers as they twirl and spin across the pages, and the happy array of faces reflects the wide range ofcultures and traditions that the poems draw upon. The message about how music and dance can unite us isa happy and timely one." —
Booklist
"An absolute delight to read, these poems will have children and adults moving to the beat. A charming addition to poetry and music collections" —
School Library Journal"A celebration of the variety and global diversity of dance, and of how it can unite communities."
—Publishers Weekly
"Skilled poet Singer varies her verse form according to the featured dance...This has additional potential for reading aloud to much younger listeners to broaden out dance topics from the usual run of ballet, ballet, ballet and to introduce some opportunities to get up and cut a rug."
—BCCB
