How Do You Dance?

by Thyra Heder (Author)

How Do You Dance?
Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade
A playful picture book that urges readers to bop, bounce, and shake from the author of Fraidyzoo There are so many ways to dance! You can jiggle or wiggle or stomp. You can bop or bounce or go completely nuts. You can dance at the market or the bus stop, with your fingers or your face. You can dance because you're happy or even because you're sad. But, what's the best way to dance? Exactly how you want to! In How Do You Dance?, author-illustrator Thyra Heder explores dance in all of its creativity, humor, and--most of all--joy, in a picture-book celebration of personal expression that will inspire young and old readers alike to get up and get moving.
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Board Books
$9.99

Kirkus

Starred Review
A gleeful, tender celebration of self-expression through movement, destined to become a favorite read-aloud.

Publishers Weekly

Starred Review

Heder (Alfie: The Turtle That Disappeared) imagines what happens when ordinary human beings dance everywhere, for any reason. Things start on the title page as six children groove to a beat. One boy sits way over on the verso, reading a book. "Like this!" says one of the dancers. On the next page, some dancing grown-ups join the party. The boy stands alone, arms crossed. "I don't," he says. A girl leaps out behind him. "I do!" she says. "Rick does, too!" says another, pointing to a man with a mop and a pair of headphones. "GO RICK!" says the test, as vignettes show Rick waving his mop. Heder explores dance with pages of graceful, rhythmic watercolors that show people of myriad ages, ethnicities, shapes, and abilities stretching, bopping, spinning, and swaying. Moves executed in exuberance ("Dinos! Robos! Horsies! Dads!"), impulsiveness ("At the market!"), and self-care ("Sometimes you just need to flop around... until you feel better") climax in a gigantic, inclusive dance party complete with glittery disco ball. Heder's stream of dancers encourages everyone to find a way to dance--even, perhaps, the most stubborn nondancers. Ages 3-7. Agent: Stephen Barr, Writers House. (Aug.)

Copyright 2019 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 1-- As the title suggests, a variety of people are asked how they dance in this rollicking new picture book by Heder (Alfie: The Turtle that Disappeared). As the colorful troupe dances through the pages, one curmudgeonly, bespectacled boy stubbornly refuses. After the others show off their different moves and explore where, why, and how they dance, the young boy reveals he wants to be left alone-- because the way he likes to dance is alone in his bedroom. The last page reveals the child in a kinetic illustration of him rocking and dancing in the comfort and solitude of his own private space. With energy and spirit, Heder captures the joy of dance and the fluidity of movement in her text and pictures. The illustrations made with pencil and watercolor feature a diverse cast of dancing characters, ranging in age, gender, race, and ethnicity. Toward the end, even dinosaurs, robots, and horses are seen swaying along, adding to the fun. The conclusion, in which the boy finally breaks out of his shell, deftly encapsulates the liberating and exhilarating feeling of dancing. VERDICT This bopping, grooving picture book will inspire readers to get up and dance themselves. Recommended.--Laura J. Giunta, Garden City Public Library, NY

Copyright 2019 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

 
Thyra Heder
Thyra Heder is the author and illustrator of Fraidyzoo, The Bear Report, Alfie, and How Do You Dance? She is also a scenic designer and storyboard artist for film and advertising. She lives in Brooklyn.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781419751820
Lexile Measure
-
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Harry N. Abrams
Publication date
April 20, 2021
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV031020 - Juvenile Fiction | Performing Arts | Dance
JUV019000 - Juvenile Fiction | Humorous Stories
JUV057000 - Juvenile Fiction | Stories in Verse (see also Poetry)
Library of Congress categories
Dance
Individuality

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