Children's Book Recommendations

Dance Picture Books

The Retired School Librarian

Dance picture book recommendations are by Angela Ferraris, The Retired School Librarian.

(The content below contains Amazon affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Mrs. Ferraris may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. These titles may be found on my Amazon Storefront under Dance Picture Books– https://amzn.to/3RDa9WR .)

âť—This cumulative list grows over time, with the newest books always appearing at the top.âť—

A baby tap dancing on a Broadway stage

Broadway Baby 

by Russell Miller (Author), Judith A. Proffer (Author)

Brief summary: An adorable tribute to Broadway with a baby dreaming of dancing and singing on stage. Baby shares about opening night, getting ready in the dressing room, and reviewing lines before going on stage.

The rhyming text is fun and exciting. The illustrations are bright and full of detail.

Comments: A cute bedtime story for babies and toddlers or the perfect gift for any music or drama teacher.

Rating: 4/5 đź“—đź“—đź“—đź“—

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

*It should be noted that this a complimentary book sent to me for an honest review.

Lah Lah is dancing in a pink dress with other Carnival people dressed in bright costumes. Her grandfather has a guitar and there is a man with a steelpan.

Love, Lah Lah 

by Nailah Blackman (Author), Jade Orlando (Illustrator)

Brief summary: Lah Lah wakes on the day of the Carnival and spends it with her grandpa, enjoying the festivities on the streets of Trinidad and Tobago(a two-island nation in the Caribbean). They enjoy dancing to the soca( SOH-kah ) beat with steelpans, watching the parade full of brightly colored costumes, and eating mango chow under a poui(POO-ee) tree. The day ends with Lah Lah singing on stage with her grandfather.

Comments: This book is a tribute to the author’s grandpa, Ras Shorty I, who created soca music, a mix of African and East Indian rhythms.

Carnival is celebrated on the Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday.

The brightly colored illustrations were created with watercolors and digital tools capturing the movement and excitement of the Carnival.

The back sections include a glossary, a biographical sketch, and a letter.

Rating: 4/5 đź“—đź“—đź“—đź“—

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

A young girl is dancing in Bollywood technique with er younger brother and parents while standing on the brightly lit up stage.

My Bollywood Dream 

by Avani Dwivedi (Author, Illustrator)

Brief summary: A young girl goes to the theater in Mumbai with her parents and brother. As they go through the city traffic, the girl imagines several of the nearby people as characters in a Bollywood movie.

Her family and other people in the theater enjoy the happy ending and music of the movie before heading home.

Comments: I love watching Bollywood movies because of the bright and beautiful colors and happy dancing style. This book captured all of that with vivid illustrations.

There is an author’s note in the back where Avani Dwivedi shares her childhood in Mumbai, listening to old Bollywood films and music.

Rating: 4/5 đź“—đź“—đź“—đź“—

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

Bella and Quinn with their teacher, Kittina are dancing. There is a metronome clicking. There is a drink on the floor. Quinn, a frog, is lifting her friend, Bella, a chicken, over her head.

Ready Set Dance: Getting Ready for Your First Dance Class 

by Once Upon A Dance (Author), Stella Maris Mongodi (Illustrator)

Brief summary: Bella and Quinn excitedly attend their very first ballet class, where their teacher, Kittina, patiently demonstrates basic positions. They practice in front of a mirror using the barre and end the lesson learning to bow and curtsy. They depart with enthusiasm, anticipating next week’s class.

Comments: Once Upon A Dance is a mother-and-daughter team that writes dance-themed books that inspire movement.

The illustrations were created digitally using Procreate and Studioclip.

Rating: 4.5/5 đź“—đź“—đź“—đź“—1/2

Continue reading for more details and buying options on this book’s Amazon page.

*I received a complimentary e-book in exchange for an honest review.

The selected children’s books are chosen by a highly qualified retired elementary school librarian, who passionately reads and recommends picture books to teachers, school librarians, parents, grandparents, and other book enthusiasts.

Most of the books Mrs. Ferraris recommends are checked out from the public library. The only exception is for the complimentary copies that she receives for an honest review, which are duly noted.

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