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Gerald the giraffe doesn't really have delusions of grandeur. He justwants to dance. But his knees are crooked and his legs are thin, and all theother animals mock him when he approaches the dance floor at the annual JungleDance. "Hey, look at clumsy Gerald," they sneer. "Oh, Gerald, you're so weird."Poor Gerald slinks away as the chimps cha-cha, rhinos rock 'n' roll, andwarthogs waltz. But an encouraging word from an unlikely source shows this glumgiraffe that those who are different "just need a different song," and soon heis prancing and sashaying and boogying to moon music (with a cricketaccompanist). In the vein of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Gerald'sfickle "friends" quickly decide he's worthy of their attention again.

With this rhyming, poignant (in a cartoonish way) tale, Giles Andreae, author ofRumble in the Jungle, andnumerous other picture books, shows insecure young readers that everyone can bewonderful, even those that march to the beat of a different cricket. The rhymesare somewhat awkward, but the bold, bright watercolors by Guy Parker-Rees willinvite readers to kick up their heels and find their own internal harmony. (Ages3 to 6) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (21)

This is why we liked this book:
The kindergarten class at Eliza Kelly School liked this book very much. We liked when Gerald did the backwards sommersault in the air. We like to dance too! We also liked the part when Gerald closed his eyes and listened to the sounds of the jungle. The cricket was a good friend to Gerald.
The illustrations were colorful and beautiful.
Gerald is a great dancer!

Kindergarten at
Eliza Kelly School

There is something special in all of us
This book is wonderful. It demonstrates, in its storyline and text, that there isn't always just one right way to do something. In other words, we may all have a unique approach. In this case Gerald thinks he's a bad dancer. His negative perception is reinforced by the other jungle animals whom Gerald thinks dances perfectly. The other animals tease Gerald. He doesn't seem to "fit in" with the crowd. Gerald's problem is, he is trying to dance their way. He needs to find his own style.

Good and bad examples abound in real life, and with our guidance they all provide rich learning experiences for our children. Given that, with your guidance, this book imparts to children a) There is often more than one way to do something, b) courage and perseverance pay off, and c) teasing hurts. Not bad for 29 pages of delightful rhyming text and colorful illustrations.

A Wonderful Lesson!
This is the most precious story about how being different is okay and how you can still be good at something even though you have to go about it a little "differently." I bought this for my 4 yr old son with cerebral palsy who can't walk and he absolutely adores it! "We can all dance if we find the right music." Gerald, who initially was ridiculed by the other animals for being a terrible dancer, gets a little help from a friend in finding the "right music." His dancing is admired by the other animals in the end. My husband demonstrates the different dances with my son as he reads the book to him which my son thoroughly enjoys! We have a very extensive book collection for my son, but this would have to be one of his (and my) all-time favorites. I have also bought several copies of this book for my son's school. The illustrations are the best that I've ever seen in a children's book. Can't recommend this highly enough!

Boogie on, Gerald!
Gerald the Giraffe is one clumsy animal. He's good at standing still and munching shoots off trees but when he wants to join the other animals at the Jungle Dance, they only laugh at him. Not for long, though. His friend the cricket knows how to play the music that inspires Gerald to dance like John Travolta in his best days. Gerald is transformed because "we all can dance ... when we find music that we love."

"Giraffes Can't Dance" is my personal favorite among Max's books. The story is familiar to many kids who go to kindergarten and learn that their peers can be picky about who belongs to the pack and who does not. In the book, the exuberant illustrations of Guy Parker-Rees take the sting out of Gerald's initial rejection by the other animals. Watching the Rhinos rock'n'roll and the lions "dance a tango that was elegant and bold," balances Gerald's sadness. The emphasis of the story is on Gerald's joyful transformation, anyway. Just read Gerald's jubilant "I am dancing! Yes, I'm dancing! I AM DANCING!" with enough liveliness and watch the kids identify with a flying giraffe. After all, the lesson is that you can excel and enjoy who you are even if, at first, the world does not play your tune. With a little help from his friends, Gerald finds out that "sometimes when you're different you just need a different song."

Let me add one short paragraph on Gerald's helpful friends, the cricket and the three small bugs that are hiding on every page. These four little fellows are an ingenious device to soften the impact of the emotional story. Kids are in love with details; once they know what to look for, they will tirelessly search for the bugs and the cricket, and point them out to you. Hint: play dumb and they will have a party.

I read this book to my disabled child (4 years old)
This is a wonderful book about a Gerald, a giraffe who attempts to dance at the yearly jungle dance, but shies away from the stage when other animals laugh at him. This book express beautifully how it feels to be different - 'Gerald had never felt so sad and so alone' - and ends on a very positive note: 'Sometimes when you're different, you just need a different song' and 'we all can dance, when we find music that we love.' It was a perfect book to help my child with his feelings towards his weakness. ... Read more

Book Description

Illus. in full color."Mirandy is sure she'll win the cake walk if she can

catch Brother Wind for her partner, but he eludes all the tricks her friends

advise. This gets a high score for plot, pace, and characterization. Mirandy

sparkles with energy and determination. Multi-hued watercolors fill the pages

with patterned ferment. A treat to pass on to new generations."--(starred)

Bulletin, Center for Children's Books.Cassette running time: 20 min.




... Read more

Reviews (1)

Can the wind be a partner?
This children's book, illustrated by Jerry Pinkney, is about a young and joyous African-American girl who hopes to win a prize at a cake walk by capturing the wind as her partner. The story takes place around 1900 and is a beautiful view of a happy people. The book was a 1989 Caldecott Honor book (i.e., a runner-up to the Medal winner) for best illustrations in a book for children. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

A lilting story
I first bought this book because I was fond of the author. Reading it the first time to my daughters' first-grade class, I cried. The author, Libba Moore Gray, perfectly captures the dance of the changing seasons and how the mother and daughter celebrate. After I finished the book that first time, a very rough-and-tumble boy asked, "Is that book poetry?" Of course it is! The best kind: the kind that reaches children.

A Treasure
I gave this book to my mother for Mother's Day after being introduced to it in one of my teaching methods classes. Gray uses words like paint on a paintbrush, dipping into serious deep blues and greens while tossing in dashes of bright yellows. Colon's illustrations enhance the carefully chosen and eloquent words, bringing them to life. This is truly a book to be shared by daughters and mothers.

My five year old loves this book!
I have a five year old blind daughter who loves this book. We read it every night at bedtime, sometimes 2 or 3 times before she falls asleep. She cant see the pictures but she loves the combination of words. "With a grin and a giggle, a hug and a whistle, we'd slap our knees and mama would say, Bless the world, It feel like a tip-tapping, song-singing, finger-snapping kind of day. Let's Celebrate!" And so we did. I love this book as much as she does, And I love to hear her recite it to me word for word. If your thinking about buying this book, think no more. You wont be dissapointed with My Mama Had A Dancing Heart.

A great book for any daughter who loves to dance
I was immediately captivated by the cover of "My Mama Had a Dancing Heart." Raul Colon uses a unique technique that combines colored pencil and watercolor washes with texture added by using scratching tools. Now that I know that I can look at these gorgeous illustrations and see what that means. I especially like the way in which the scratches add a dynamic sense of motion to the pictures and will make a point of tracking down more of his distinctive artwork. Libba Moore Gray's story here is about the love of dance, passed from mother to daughter as a great gift of love. If you have a daughter who loves to dance, whether she dreams of being a prima ballerina or not, they will love this colorful and enchanting book.

An excellent picture book for all
Melodic memories touch a young ballerina's heart as she recalls dancing with her mother through the seasons, stopping for sassafras tea in spring and hot cocoa in winter. Together, author Libba Moore Gray and illustrator Raul Colon mesmerize readers with rhythmic text and surreal paintings, setting the dancing mood. Tip-tapping, plash-splashing, and squish-squashing are the musical words Gray plays for ears, engaging listeners and giving the text a natural flow. Text separated from illustrations allows for appreciative rather than overwhelmed eyes. The text and illustrations follow a seasonal pattern, making the story predictable. Colon effectively portrays the ballerina's fond childhood memories by combining watercolor, colored pencils, and etching, creating a distinctive texture, while his use of cool colors and light hues accentuate the mother-daughter bond. With a white background border for each painting, illustrations resemble a photo album. Reaslistic characters in action result from the incorportated use of curved line and shape. Continutity in artistic elements reflects the serene tone and allows for natural movement from page to page. Share this mother's dancing heart with young listeners. This picture book warms the heart and will be enjoyed by all readers. ... Read more

Book Description

A little boy must come to terms with being teased and ostracized because he’d rather read books, paint pictures, and tap-dance than participate in sports. “There is a good balance between the simple text . . . and the expressive pictures . . . an attractive little book.”--School Library Journal ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Oliver Button is a Sissy by Will Herman
I really enjoyed this book. It is about a little boy named Oliver Button. This little boy doesn't really care what other people think, he likes to do what he thinks is fun, and that is it. He doesn't do normal things like other boys, he dances, and jumps rope for exercise. He got a new pair of tap shoes and the older boys teased him and called him a sissy and wrote it on the wall. Oliver still kept going to dance school and practicing and practicing.
When there is a talent competition, Oliver signs up to be in it. During the competition he did a tap routine and ends up losing. His parents still thought of him as a champion and when he goes back to school, instead of Oliver Button is a sissy on the wall it says Oliver Button is a star. I would recommend this book to a lot of people because this is a very entertaining book. It shows that if you have fun doing something thats a little different, keep doing it no matter what other people say.

It's OK to be Different!
This is an excellent book that confronts gender stereotypes and the importance of accepting people for who they are. Oliver Button does not engage in the traditional activities that boys do, and thus, he is faced with repercussions and consequences (based on how others feel Oliver should behave/act). I teach fourth grade and - though a picture book - it is the ideal book to discuss self-confidence and diversity and the significance of accepting individuals while recognizing their accomplishments and contributions.

Learning How Not To Be A Non-Conformist...
When I first read this book to my library classes, I was a little curious on how they would react. Yet I was suprised to find that after the story was finished, the children cheered and clapped. There were many attentive children throughout the story and some(whom I personally believe)were wondering why Oliver was so 'different.' Maybe it could be that more than a handful of children could relate to this story. It was fun for me acting out the different parts, and the children enjoyed these visuals also. We also shared how we would feel in the situations Oliver was set in. I recommend this book to all!

Wonderful, a very special book
I watched a special on TV about this book. It's a story about a little boy who gets picked on and eventually finds good things about himself. It was similar to what my nephew experiences in school. He is a boy who loves playing with the girls and isn't real "tough", so he has a hard time with some kids. This book was wonderful for him to read. I sent it to him through amazon. He got it in the mail, read it that night and then took it to school and read it to the class the very next day! He brought home a special award for sharing such a wonderful book! I think all teachers should share this with their classrooms and use it as a way to address bullying!

OLiver Button is a Sissy It's a funny book
Once Oliver did thing that girls did. He didn't play with boys or didn't play any spots. All he did was to play with paper dolls, pick flowers, jump rope, draw and dance. He asked his mother if he could take some dance lessons so he went to Mrs. Leah's dancing class with other boys and girls.

My favortie part was when every one said he was a star at tap dancing because he has been practicing really hard at home and at Mrs. Leah's class. At home he was practicing when he got home from school everyday.

Tomie made it for his mother named Flossie his mother is still alive. His mother is in her 90s.

I liked it when he practiced with his black pair of tap shoes and when a girl told the other kids to leave him alone two girls said to five boys in the schoolyard. ... Read more

Book Description

This soft, lovable Angelina with movable arms and legs is a perfect likeness

of her picture book counterpart--right down to her winsome smile. She's 9-

inches tall, she's costumed in a removable tutu, and she's packaged in a

see-through box that folds out into a theater stage. A miniature paperback

edition of the original Angelina book, Angelina Ballerina, accompanies

the doll making this an irresistible gift for any child.




... Read more

Reviews (10)

My daughter's Idol
My daughter has fallen in love with this book and the character of Angelina so quickly. It is a wonderful book with beautiful illustrations and we enjoy reading it so much. My daughter was already interested in ballet but this book has brought her imagination to a new level. I highly recommend this book to anyone with a young girl.

Fun for any aspiring ballerina
Katharine Holabird's "Angelina Ballerina" is fun for any aspiring ballerina. Angelina Mouseling--a wee white mouse--loves to dance, to the exclusion of all other activities. She won't clean her room, she won't help clear the table, she listens to neither her mother or her father because she is dancing, dancing, dancing at every waking moment. Everything changes when her parents recognize that her interest needs to be taken seriously. Mr. and Mrs. Mouseling do just that when they go shopping and come home with--ooooh!--a ballerina's tutu for Angelina to wear.

Shortly thereafter, Angelina begins ballet lessons. Her perseverence pays off and she becomes a famous ballerina. In the interim, however, the attention her parents have paid to her love of ballet pays off in the form of her willingness to do all the things she didn't want to do before, because now she can dance all she likes in ballet class and in recitals.

I agree with the comments that have been made about the subdued sexism here. Angelina is presented as someone who is too fast and too nimble for the boys on the playground, but later in the book--once she has gotten what she wants--she is described as letting the boys catch her after all. It's a jarring note in an otherwise perfectly charming book.

Special mention must be made of Helen Craig's detailed, charming drawings. She doesn't completely anthropomorphize the mouse characters--they are clearly little animals, with anatomically correct limbs and quivering whiskers, but Craig somehow manages to humanize them and make them utterly winsome and dear. All around a very nice book for the aspiring ballerina!

Adorable Book For Your Ballerina
Angelina Ballerina is a little mouse, whom loves to dance. She dances all over the schoolyard, and through the house. Finally her parents enroll her in a ballet class, where she becomes one of the best students.

Angelina Ballerina is enjoyable for little ballerinas of all ages. Not only will it encourage your little ones to read, but to also have faith in themselves when trying something new. The illustrations will also make you and your little ones smile in excitement. A must have book for all ballerinas.

My daughter's favorite!
We bought this book at a festival of books. The author did a reading and then signed the books. Ever since then, my 5 year old, Xotchitl, has not put it down! It is a great book! She is hoping that Santa Clause will bring her the rest of the Angelina books!

Best Children's Ballet Book
I think that Angelina inspires young dancers to fulfill their dreams. She is spunky and delightful. It's the perfect little gift for a young child. They don't have to be interested in ballet to enjoy this book. I am a pre-professional ballet dancer. This book means a lot to me for it was my favorite book when I was younger and it still is one of my favorites. ... Read more

Book Description

It’s nap time on the farm, but one un-sleepy baby has a different plan...
Will Baby do the cha-cha? Will Mama flip her wig?
Will Baby dance the polka with a polka-dotted pig?
Perfect fun for young children who like lively stories, this happy tale invites all to join in and dance along. Read, sing, lift the flaps, do a little jig-and-twirl! It’s a toe-tappin’, no-nappin’ good time when baby starts to boogie. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Wonderful book!
I have two-year-old twins, and they are absolutely entranced by this book! After reading it to them the first time, they became and have remained simply delighted to shout out the animal names as we flip open the pages. Our copy is a library book; I'm ordering it right now and plan to see if this author has others. Again, great book! ... Read more

Book Description

This imaginative board book features beautiful paintings by a renowned artist paired with playful, rhyming text. Children can enter Edgar Degas's magical world of toe shoes, tutus and elegant ballerinas. Dancing with Degas is a fun introduction to art and an imaginative adventure all rolled into one! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A winner in the "Favorite Books" stakes!
We bought this for my little guy when he was about 7 months old -- I loved the concept of exposing him to classical art in a way that was appropriate for his age. A picture book with a fun ryming story was just right!

Little did I realize that this, of all his dozens of books, would be the first to really capture his attention! Up to the point at which he decided this was his favorite book, Jack showed limited interest in books. But at some point he decided that books are very cool -- and Dancing with Degas was the first one he expected us to read to him over and over and over -- sometimes five repetitions at a sitting!

He has since added other books to his list of favorites -- but Dancing with Degas remains up there toward the top of the list.

When he turned one year, we got selveral more of Merberg and Bober's books, and he likes them all. But this one is still his favorite.

I highly recommend it! (And if you play Mozart quietly in the background as you read, the dancers seem to practially fly off the page!)

A fun and beautiful book!
I bought this for my daughter's first birthday and we love it! It is filled with Degas' paintings and a fun ryhming verse. It's a great way to introduce your little one to classical art in a format geared toward little readers. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (6)

A creative book for kids
The book "Barn Dance" by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault is a cute book for kids. It lets them know that all things arent scary. Like scarecrows, for instance, arent scary their just to keep the crows away. Also if you child was scared of animals, this book might teach them there is nothing to be afraid of. It also is a very catchy book with all the rhymes and pictures. I was very pleased with it.

As much fun to read aloud as it is to hear
Scarecrows aren't really scary unless you're a crow -- or a preschooler. My son was terrified of scarecrows until we found this book. Now, it's torn and tattered, and a favorite of both my boys and their older sister. It's the story of what goes on in the barn when (almost) everyone in the farmhouse is sleeping.

All except the skinny kid with questions in his head, Much too full of wonderment to spend the night in bed, He was up about and list'nin'. . . . . .when the night owl said, Come a little closer. . . Come a little closer. . . Listen to the night. . . There's magic in the air. . . The skinny kid can hear the sound of fiddle strings, and he looks out his window to see the scarecrow leading all the animals into the barn for a hoe-down. Intrigued, the skinny kid sneaks into the barn and hides. Pretty soon, though, the scarecrow spots him and invites him to join in.

Out came the skinny kid, a-tickin' an' a-tockin' An' a hummin' an' a-yeein' an' a rockin' an' a sockin'. An' he danced his little toe through a hole in his stockin'! By this point in the story, my kids are itchin' to get up and dance, too. But, as the night owl points out, the magic can only last so long. The skinny kid sneaks back into his bed in the farmhouse to watch the sunrise. It might have been a dream, except for that hole in his sock.

In addition to the wonderful verse that sets toes a-tappin', my kids love the illustrations. My three-year-old always points out the skinny kid's progress as he sneaks out of the house, past the hound dog, into the barn, and back. All the kids giggle at the whirling pigs, who get so dizzy that they all fall down.

Barn Dance review
Brilliant illustrations. The writing takes you into the story, which is exciting & fun. Get it, you won't be dissapionted!

Barn Dance is a very fun book to read for kids of all ages.
My 7 year old daughter loves this book so much she wants me to purchase it. We originally got it frm the library, My 5 year old son loves to here my voice when the Crow says "Begin! Grab yourself a partner an jump right in"! This is a well writen book that I would highly recommend.

LET YOUR HAIR DOWN AND ENJOY THE HOE-DOWN!
I've come to realize that Ted Rand is an absolutely wonderful illustrator. Coupled with the most rhythmic and lyrical text you'll ever see, this book has become my son's new favorite. Pictures are full and colorful and the text brings out the ham in any reader-aloud. It's fun, fun, fun! Yee-Ha!! ... Read more

Book Description

From the American Indian sun dance to the Zulu marriage dance, from the

ballets of Ballanchine to the disco craze--dance is a part of almost every

culture of the world. As ritual, as celebration, and as art, dance is both

exotic and traditional, primitive and modern. This stunning exploration of this

most visual of art forms is brimming over with richly detailed sets and

costumes and photos of memorable performers and their techniques. A

75th Eyewitness volume with truly universal appeal.




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Reviews (3)

Magic and Beauty
In ancient Greece, dance was seen as a gift. Dance is simply a series of movements performed in patterns and set to music. Every human society has some form of dance. It is a way to pass on history, exercise and express yourself in a way words can't.

In this colorful guide, the magic and beauty of dance is shown in step-by-step sequences and full-color photographs. The costumes are spectacular and children can see the costumes, learn the stories of the great classical ballets and discover why Javanese dancers "flow like water."

Dances include:

Ballet
Tonga - poetry interpreted in dance in the Pacific Island of Tonga
Flamenco - Spanish
Ghost Dance - Native American
Morris Dance - England
Gharata Natya - Classic Indian Dance (if you enjoy this - watch Lagaan)
Orissi, Eastern India - originally performed by temple dancers
Georgian Ballet - the costumes are amazing!
Modern Ballet
Ballroom Dancing
and many more...

There is a section on footwear and they show how a ballet shoe is made. They explain the process of creating costumes all the way from the drawings to the finished product. Makeup and set design is briefly discussed.

A section on famous dancers and choreography shows what it takes. Finally, they discuss dance crazes through time.

A trip around the world in dance!

Beautiful book about dancing
DK eyewitness books are some of the greatest non-fiction books around. The distinctive white background and high-quality photography gives this book an edge over any other nonfiction picture book. And -- these pictures are real! They're beautiful photos of all things related to dancing, accompanied by informative captions and text.

Learn about many different styles of dance, costumes and shows, performers, and many other dance-related topics (all augmented by beautiful museum-quality photos).

If you know someone (young or old) who is fascinated dancing, then you must introduce them to this book!It's a great lesson about dancing, and a beautiful book.

Eyewitness Dance
This book is excellent for the education of all types of dance.The pictures are colorful, the information is accurate, and it keeps the readers attention.It covers a variety of dances, and goes into detailabout costumes and shoes.It is a good book for those interested in theart of dance, and dances from around the world. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Clever Design! Delightful Book!
My 4-year-old daughter, who is fascinated with ballerinas, has enjoyed every Angelina book I have read to her. We were excited to find this latest story about her favorite dancing mouse. In the story, Angelina finds a large envelope containing two tickets to see Serena Silvertail perform with the Royal Ballet. But each time she asks a friend to attend with her, they have other plans! This cleverly designed book features page-sized envelopes containing actual tickets, letters, and postcards that children can pull out and read. My daughter's favorite is the large pull-out poster of the Cindermouse ballet. The only problem we have had is that my less-than-gentle 2.5-year-old daughter was also eager to enjoy this book. I've repaired a few envelopes with tape and I have to verify the pull-outs are still inside the flaps before reading the story again. Definitely recommended reading!

Lovely book for a child who loves ballet and Angelina
This book is a nice story and the pull-out tickets, letters, poster, etc. added a wonderfully fun dimension to this book. I wouldn't give this book to a child much under 4, however, unless you happen to have one that is really meticulous about keeping things nice. It would be very easy to mess up the book or lose the pull-outs, which are important to the plot.

We bought this as a gift. Can't wait until my little ballerina is old enough to have it. ... Read more

Book Description

Illustrated in full color. The Little Ballerina will dance her way into the

hearts of little girls everywhere. Readers will share her determination as she

practices the five basic positions, works at the barre, and struggles to do a

perfect pirouette. And they will cheer when she shines as a sunbeam in the Big

Recital! Ballet terms, pronunciation guide, and illustrations of steps are

included.




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Reviews (1)

An excellent first ballet & recital book
My four-year-old loves this book. The story moves and has the right level of detail. It avoids setting unrealistic expectations; some other picture books about ballet have little girls dancing on toe and doing big solos or directing - things which are unlikely to happen in life and cause disappointment when they start real ballet classes. ... Read more

Book Description

Transport young readers into a real ballet class with Ballet School! Beautiful full color photography captures children learning how to form the five positions, perform basic dance techniques, and put on a recital. Follow along with the class as they learn how to warm up before practicing, perform jumps and leaps, execute the perfect final curtsy or bow, and much more.

Ballet School captivates by showing the gracefulness of ballet in the atmosphere of a real class, letting children learn what to expect from a ballet class. Whether reading about how to dress for a performance, observing the difference between pointe shoes and slippers, or learning how to tell a story through ballet, young dancers will love this very special introduction to the world of dance. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

With color photos of the class in action
Ages 5-8 will find Ballet School a warm story of a young dancer's introduction to the world of ballet. The book follows the expereinces of young ballet students from first dance classes to year-end performances, paired with color photos of the class in action. ... Read more

Book Description

Strawberry Shortcake is starring in her berry first ballet recital! Help her practice her steps, decorate the sets, put on her beautiful costume, and make her debut as a prima ballerina. A berry special party to celebrate the show is the perfect end to a perfect night. ... Read more

Book Description

Where can you find a Deinosuchus that practically pirouettes on its tail and a T-Rex that bounds gracefully through the air? Between the pages of Tony Mitton's Dinosaurumpus, where dinosaurs run, boom, shake, and shudder their way to the "sludgy old swamp" and rock the night away. Mitton's delightful rhyme and Parker-Rees's whimsical illustrations will make children want to join in the dance while they learn about some of their favorite prehistoric pals. By the time the romp is over, and the dinosaurs are fast asleep, kids won't be able to shake that jumping, thumping Dinosaurumpus beat! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Great book!
My 3 yr old loves this book too. He can actually recite it by heart- dinosaur names and everything. We also have Dazzling Diggers and I just realized today they are written by the same person- prompting me to come look at Amazon for more Mitton books.

My 3 year old LOVES this book
This book is adorable. The pictures are colorful, the text rhymes and the story is simple but enticing. We enjoy this book almost every night these days. Some of the dinosaur names are hard to say, but we still love it!

Dinosaurumpus is very good!
My teacher read this to us at school. Every single page of that book is good. Dinosaurs play really loudly. I was a little bit scared the first time I heard it, because the T-rex ran out. But now i am not scared anymore and it is REALLY fun to read. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

anti-Christian book
This book is positively horrible! Within just the first few pages it starts up with the old stereotypes of the mean Catholic nuns teaching school. It then goes on to develop the hero of the story - Kathleen's 20 year old aunt "Polly" who likes to wear bright red lipstick, smoke, and hates anything to do with Christianity or the Church. The truth is that "Polly's" real name is "Mary", but she cannot bear the idea of that name so she demands that everyone call her "Polly" instead. In one scene Polly lectures her brother-in-law, Kathleen's father, on the dangers of going to church, praying, and devotions.

Passed By (Too Quickly) With Flying Colors!
"The rough, distempered floorboards seemed to disappear from under me, my feet barely brushed them, and I flew. It was all airy and feathery, like walking on water, like skimming over clouds. I was kicking and twirling in a new, airy element flying in time with the music into a different world, where weight didn't matter, where gravity didn't exist...I was going to dance my way to the stars on airy-fairy feet, light as air, free as a bird." Just like Kathleen feels when she's dancing, this book flew by in a whirl of vivid characters, brilliant descriptions, and happily ever afters.
Kathleen Murphy, a poor Irish girl, is made to take dancing lessons by her strict teacher Mother Rosario. After being tricked into believing the lessons are free, she has to quit after one wonderful, tantalizing class because it is too expensive. Mrs. Maguire, the dance instructor, gives her a scholarship, and it seems like she can finally dance, as she loves to do. But soon, she is accepted into the dancing feis, a big competition, and needs a costume. Kathleen will try anything to get that expensive costume!
This book was delightful to read. The plot was sometimes funny, sometimes serious, and it ended in a wonderful happy ending. The characters were all very true-to-life, and you could relate to them and feel happy and sad for them. I also learned about Ireland in the 1930s and '40s.

"Riverdance" meets "Angela's Ashes"
Kathleen Murphy lives in Dublin, Ireland in 1937. Ireland is in the midst of another Depression, and Kathleen's father is out of work. After showing up to her (Catholic) school late one too many times, one of the sisters recommends Irish dance lessons as a way to keep Kathleen out of trouble. Kathleen finds from the very first lesson that she loves to dance and has a real talent for it, but the issue of not being able to pay for classes nearly ends her career at the beginning.

She is chosen to represent her dance school at a feis (dance competition), but is haunted by her mother's severe illness and her lack of money for a dance costume (a requirement to participate). Her favourite Aunt Polly grows distant as well, and Kathleen prays for a miracle. Her miracle does indeed come, but not in a way anyone expected!

"Kathleen: The Celtic Knot" is a fabulous read, very Irish in character (each novel is written by someone from the country it takes place in) and similar at times to Irish novelist Frank McCourt's voice. Many Irish expressions and Gaelic words are sprinkled liberally in the text. The back of the book features a segment on life in Ireland and a glossary of Irish/Gaelic words and expressions. An uplifting tale for American Girl fans and Irish dance enthusiasts, those who love Irish culture or those just looking for an entertaining read.

A story of miracles
It is 1937 and Ireland is in another Depression and once again twelve-year-old Kathleen Murphy's father is out of work. For Kathleen it is devastating for she will never be able to afford Irish dancing lessions which she hold so dear to her heart. But miracles do happen, and because she has a great amount of talent Mrs. Maguire , the dance teacher, allows Kathleen to take lessons for free, but when the yearly contest draws near, Kathleen begins to dread each impending day for she knows her family has no money to spare for a fancy dance costume. Of course miracles continue to happen for Kathleen and it looks like she might acturally get her dress, but yet again there is another roadblock for her mother falls unexpectantly ill. Who will now make the dress Kathleen so desires and where will the money come from? It seems impossible, but when one thing leads to another Kathleen finds herself flying across the stage in her first contest. This was another great Girls of Many Lands book. I recommend you to read all the other ones too.

Good story!
In this story, twelve-year-old Dubliner Kathleen Delaney is given the chance to take Irish dancing lessons in 1937 and discovers she has a talent for it.
I really liked this book because it showed you all about Irland in the 1930s. IRLAND RULES! ... Read more

Book Description

Dancing marks the rites of passage in a daughter's life and that of the father who loves her. From her first carefree twirling in the flower-dotted yard, to her first solo performance in The Nutcracker, to the waltz of her wedding night, her father is there watching, silent and unobserved. And he smiles.

This tender story of the bond between a father and a daughter, told straight from the heart by the best-selling author of The Christmas Candle and illustrated with exquisite, lush paintings, evokes that bond with powerful poignancy. The Dance will forever resonate with parents and children everywhere. ... Read more

Reviews (22)

Touching
I found this book the year before I got married. I gave it to my dad for Christmas when I could not be there, he read it to my brothers and started to cry.

This is a beautiful story for any father and daughter to share. I don't want to ruin the story, but when you get to the last few pages you will understand the signifigance of the timing for my father and I.

A lovely book for fathers and their daughters
Here's an easy recipe to make any father or daughter you know get all puddled up: get them Richard Paul Evans'"The Dance." This short, epigrammatic tale follows an unnamed father as he watches his daughter grow up, progressing from hopping around in the yard to formal dance lessons to being a ballerina. I can't say too much more or I'll give away the tear-inducing ending.

It's short--you can read it with or without a child on your lap in perhaps ten minutes. But the emotions it provokes are powerful, and powerfully enhanced by Jonathan Linton's astonishing paintings. Evans has a note at the beginning of the book saying that although a different illustrator had been selected for "The Dance," he happened to see the cover painting (by Linton) somewhere and felt strongly that Linton should illustrate the book. Thank goodness Evans went to bat for Linton, as the text and pictures mesh beautifully. I can't think of a girl, young or old, who wouldn't enjoy "The Dance"--and I can think of lots of dads who would get a little emotional reading through it themselves. Highly, highly recommended.

Beautifully executed story of love
A father's love for his daughter is endless and no better way is this exhibited than in this effective story. Evans, a gifted storyteller, knows how to tug on the heartstrings as well as relate to his audience, be they young or old. This is a story that is timeless and destined to become a classic.

Amazing
I was browsing through the bookstore a few years ago, looking for something to do between classes, when I came across this book. It was one of the most touching stories that I've read.

The story is about a girl who aspires to dance and the father who watchs over her. Without giving the story away, I'll just say that if really effected me -- a college boy who knows little of dancing, let alone fatherhood. It is very well written, and when it's coupled with the beautiful oil painting illustrations, the book is deeply moving.

I'd recommend this to anyone, be it dancer, father, or otherwise. This is a story of love that transcends such things.

Book To Be Shared
I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to any father/daughter with a "special" relationship.

I passed it to a friend who's daughter is graduating soon and who herself is a dancer.....both of them enjoyed the book and cried with me over its beauty.

Highly recommend this for sharing with a loved one. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

The Silver Slippers
If you're looking for a book full of motivatoin and encouragement, "The Silver Slippers" is the perfect choice. This book tells the story of a little girl who loved to dance, but never put her whole heart into it, until one day when the right motivation came along. In her class, they were to have a recital. This made the little girl glow with excitement. When she learned that the best ballerina in the class would be rewarded with being able to be the "Prima Ballerina." For the following weeks up until the recital, the little girl practiced and practiced, trying to perfect her ballet. While her friends did lived thier normal every day lives, the little girl stayed inside and worked extrememly hard. Sometimes the little girl would get down because of how long it was taking to get it right, so her mother got her a pair of silver slippers to hang around her neck. Every time the little girl danced, she wore the slippers as a reminder of the hard work she had done. When the time came to find out who the "Prima ballerina" was, the little girl became very nervous. But not for long, as she found out she got to be the star of the recital. The night came and as the girl got nervous, she looked at the slippers around her neck and took a step out on stage. Her performance was flawless. A true reward for her hard work. This book shows the determination of one little girl, and the reward she got from hard work. It is the perfect book for a bit of encouragement and motivation. Every child should have a copy of "The Silver Slippers."

Prima for the prima ballerina
This book gives confidence to any little one about to make her debut on stage! It addresses the same fears that most little ones anticipate and the necklace adds the perfect touch. I would highly reccommend for any child conquering any fear. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Martha Graham (1894-1991) referred to her dancers as "acrobats of God," but in truth it was she who seemed divinely inspired. Graham was a dancer, choreographer, and teacher for more than 70 years, and during that time she changed the landscape of dance forever. An unlikely candidate for a dance diva, she was shorter and more muscular than the principal ballet dancers of her time and she didn't start dancing until age 22--a flower long past her bloom in the eyes of most choreographers. Nonetheless, Graham managed to turn the dance world on its tutu with her innovative approach to movement and teaching and her clear understanding that feelings are not always graceful, but always intense.

Russell Freedman, who won the Newbery Medal in 1988 for Lincoln: A Photobiography and Newbery Honors for The Wright Brothers: How They Invented the Airplane (1992) and Eleanor Roosevelt: A Life of Discovery (1994), has once again crafted a beautiful, intriguing biography. He traces Graham's remarkable life from a childhood filled with imaginative play, to her decision to attend dance school instead of college, through her departure from the Broadway Follies to pursue her own dance style, and onward through her late life, when she continued teaching and creating distinctive performance pieces. The fascinating biography is complemented by exquisite black-and-white photographs that reveal Graham's sense of beauty and her remarkable ability to translate pure, raw emotions into expressive movement. Freedman's lovely tribute makes us fully believe Graham when she says, "I did not choose to be a dancer, I was chosen." (Young Adult/Adult) --Brangien Davis ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Elegant Trio of Words, Pictures and Feelings
This book is a beautiful, concise study of her life. Studying Martha Graham's life is an awakening experience. Reading Graham's memoir "Blood Memory" simultaneously provides a beautiful counterpoint, knowing the subject will not observe herself in the same way as her biographer.

I dance away from this book with a definite appreciation for Graham's brilliance in creativity and willingness to navigate the many rough patches she encountered AND give such a gift to humanity at the same time.

The numbers of influential people she touched is amazing and enlightening.

I suggest this book for any creative thinker: there are applications for all of us.

The Life of a Dancer
Martha Graham: A Dancers Life by Russell Freedman, the full-length biography of Martha Graham, takes a deep look into Martha and the peole around her. She was a dancer, teacher, and choreographer who changed the world. Her life began in Pittsburg where she was born in 1894. The book also tells about the lives of her dancers, students, close friends, and lovers. The biography goes into great detail up until the day she died in 1991.
I liked this book because of all the details it gives about her life and the way it tells about all the heroic things she did. I would recommend this book to dancers and people who enjoy the things Martha did in her 97 years of life.

Gorgeous pictures; no depth
I bought this book after reading an interesting article about Martha Graham in the New Yorker about a year ago. I was attracted to the book by the beautiful photography, in evidence on the cover (and throughout the book, as I soon learned). However, I was interested in reading about Martha's "demons" and character flaws, as well as her relationships and focus on archetypal figures in dance. Unfortunately, this book is a pretty happy-go-lucky, bland account of her life. In fact, it's so bland that I would have given it three stars if the pictures in it were not so beautiful and well-suited to the descriptions given in the text.

EXCELLENT!
This is a wonderful book and story. Being a dancer myself, I am very inspired. You'll enjoy Martha's "positive" attitude and wit throughout this story of the growth of a piece of history. Please, read this book, I recommend it!

Simple, and clear...
I am a former Graham Dancer, and when I saw this book, I had some very intense emotions, it shows Martha in her best years, the pictures are beautiful, some of them are very rare to see, and if you want to see the beauty, or the drama, of that Incredible American Woman, this is the book you need to own. As a Graham Based Dance Teacher, I use this book to show some intentions in the movement, or I simply quote her, I wish you a wonderful Journey in the world of Martha Graham... ... Read more