Read It. Move It. Share It.
With spring winding down and summer just around the corner, dance educator Maria Hanley and I are exploring the classic picture book The Very Hungry Caterpillar by legendary author and illustrator Eric Carle. It's part of our monthly collaboration in which I recommend a picture book for Maria to use in her creative movement classes and then we both share our experiences with the book.
The Very Hungry Caterpillar, which was published more than 40 years ago, is the first children's book I remember having as a child. When I think about other picture books and board books published around the same time, this one stands out so much in its creative design and universal appeal.
I may be living in a cocoon of sorts (i.e., my own little world of children's books), but I can't imagine that anyone has not heard of this wonderful book, which tells the story of how a caterpillar becomes a butterfly in such a delightful--and delicious--way. A true artistic masterpiece...at least in my book!
Just in case I really am living in a cocoon (which is entirely possible) and you haven't heard of The Very Hungry Caterpillar, the best way to describe it is to simply "show" it to you. It just so happens that Barnes & Noble is featuring the book on its "Online Storytime" this month. Click here and you can see some of the collage art from the book and hear Eric Carle read the whole story.
I also found a great video on YouTube of Eric Carle talking about the process of creating the book, the educational themes that run through the book, and the
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By: Kerry Aradhya,
on 5/26/2012
Blog: Picture Books & Pirouettes (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Kitchen Dance, The Shape Song Swingalong, Read and Romp Roundup, Picture Books about Dance, Every Body Does Yoga, I Dreamed I Was a Ballerina, Mario Makes a Move, Add a tag
Welcome to the May Read & Romp Roundup! As usual, I'm really pleased with the submissions this month. Plus, in my weekly reading, I came across a few extra posts that I added to the roundup because they fit in so perfectly. And in case you missed it yesterday (May 25th), happy belated National Tap Dance Day!
Lisa at Shelf-Employed shares a review of the picture book The Shape Song Swingalong, which she says is "a perfect book for dancing." Read her post to find out why she likes the book so much and to see what other books she would pair it with for a "home run of storytime!"
Earlier this month, Maria from Maria's Movers created a bumble bee dance to do with some of her youngest dance students. The best part? She used a poem about a bee hive as her muse!
Tracy Bermeo (a.ka. The A2Z Mommy) features I Dreamed I Was a Ballerina this month.
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By: Kerry Aradhya,
on 5/20/2012
Blog: Picture Books & Pirouettes (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Olivia, Fancy Nancy, Character-Driven Picture Books, Ladybug Girl, Picture Books about Dance, Characters in Dance Books, Katy Duck, Add a tag
Many picture books these days are considered "character-driven," focused on a loveable character who is introduced to readers and then usually shows up in a subsequent series of books. Olivia, Fancy Nancy, and Ladybug Girl are a few you might be familiar with. In fact, all three of these characters are so popular that they each have an entire website devoted just to them. Wow!
It turns out that some dance books are also character-driven and have turned into a series. For instance, the very first blog post I ever wrote was called Have You Met Katy Duck? It introduced readers to a dancing duck named Katy who has appeared in board books, a picture book, and most recently an easy reader. Katy seems to be dancing so much that I should probably find out what she's been up to and write another post about her soon. But until then...
All of this has me thinking that it would be fun to develop an informal blog series to introduce more picture book characters who dance. I don't think it will be a regular series, but as the muse hits me and as I learn more about other characters, I'll add to the series.
Are there any characters you think I should highlight? I already have a few in mind, but I'm sure there are more that I don't know about yet. I'd love to hear your thoughts!
It turns out that some dance books are also character-driven and have turned into a series. For instance, the very first blog post I ever wrote was called Have You Met Katy Duck? It introduced readers to a dancing duck named Katy who has appeared in board books, a picture book, and most recently an easy reader. Katy seems to be dancing so much that I should probably find out what she's been up to and write another post about her soon. But until then...
All of this has me thinking that it would be fun to develop an informal blog series to introduce more picture book characters who dance. I don't think it will be a regular series, but as the muse hits me and as I learn more about other characters, I'll add to the series.
Are there any characters you think I should highlight? I already have a few in mind, but I'm sure there are more that I don't know about yet. I'd love to hear your thoughts!
4 Comments on A New Blog Series: Have You Met..., last added: 5/24/2012
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By: Kerry Aradhya,
on 5/10/2012
Blog: Picture Books & Pirouettes (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Read and Romp Roundup, Picture Books about Dance, Picture Books and Movement, Add a tag
I hope everyone is enjoying Children's Book Week this year. If you've not heard of it before, you can learn more about it here. The longest-running literacy initiative in the United States, it's yet another wonderful opportunity to celebrate the love of books and reading with the young people in our lives. And if you happen to celebrate by sharing a picture book during a movement class or by sharing a movement-themed book at home or school this week, I'd love to hear about it!
This is the official call for submissions for the May Read & Romp Roundup, and I hope you have some great ideas to share. If you have a recent (or even not so recent) blog post that involves picture books or children's poetry AND dance, yoga, or another form of movement, leave your link in a comment on this post. I'll round up all the links and post about them together on my blog in a few weeks. And enjoy the rest of Children's Book Week!
Submissions are open until Friday, May 25, 2012.
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By: Kerry Aradhya,
on 5/2/2012
Blog: Picture Books & Pirouettes (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Poetry, Rain, Wong Herbert Yee, Spring, Henry Holt, Christy Ottaviano Books, Creative Movement, Maria's Movers, Picture Books for Dance Class, Summer Days and Nights, Who Likes Rain?, Tracks in the Snow, Add a tag
Read It. Move It. Share It.
For April, I recommended the picture book Who Likes Rain? for dance educator Maria Hanley Blakemore to use in her creative movement classes in New York City. After you read this post, hop over to Maria's Movers to see how she used the book with her young dancers. You can also read more about our monthly collaboration here.
In April 2007, when my first daughter was a little over two years old, Henry Holt and Company published the rhyming picture book Who Likes Rain? by Wong Herbert Yee. Our local library bought a copy, and I discovered it sometime later that year. Our second daughter grew into a toddler, and for the next couple of years I continued checking the book out from time to time.
I've always loved books about rain, and this is one of my favorites for toddlers and young preschoolers. It even comes in a small size (about half the size of most picture books) that is perfect for little hands. It's one of those books I would have loved to own, but for some reason I never bought a copy for myself.
My daughters are a little older now and have moved on to more complex picture books, so it was such a treat to check this book out from the library again in preparation for my post. The first page of my library copy has scribble marks all over it--some in brown crayon and some in black marker. I guess some other toddlers have been enjoying the book, too!
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By: Kerry Aradhya,
on 4/29/2012
Blog: Picture Books & Pirouettes (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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Welcome to the April Read & Romp Roundup, where we're celebrating National Dance Week (which ends today) and National Poetry Month. I've always thought of poetry as a great platform for movement. Poems provide a variety of rhythms and patterns that children can move to, and their length is usually appropriate for the short attention span of many young movers. Hope you enjoy all the poetry--as well as the poetic picture books--in this month's roundup!
Jodie at Growing Book by Book shares a list of her 10 favorite poetry books for children, including classics like Where the Sidewalk Ends and themed books of poetry about science, pigs, baseball, and more. Jodie says that "many of them would be great for dance." Just the title of the first book on her list--Sing a Song of Popcorn--makes me want to start jumping up and down! 
Natalie from Wading Through Words wrote a charming poem this month about why you might think twice before dancing with a lion. Accompanying the poem "Don't Dance with a Lion" is an equally charming illustration by Julie Rowan-Zock...but you'll have to go to Natalie's blog to see it!In honor of National Poetry Month, Renee LaTulippe has been featuring a poet a day on her blog No Water River. One of her guests is children's author Deborah Diesen, who wrote the brilliant poem "The Daffodil Dance." Head over to No Water River to hear Deborah read the whole poem and to find some extension activities to go along with it...
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By: Kerry Aradhya,
on 4/17/2012
Blog: Picture Books & Pirouettes (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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It's warm outside, and the humidity is making my hair a little crazy. We're surrounded by concrete, multi-level highways, and the sound of cars whizzing around us. Our windows are down, and the familiar scent of beef brisket is making its way into the rental car. We're in Houston again!
My husband and I met when we were both graduate students here, and it has been more than a decade since we've been back. We're off to San Antonio in a few days, but until then we've been visiting friends and dining at some of our favorite restaurants in Houston. Really, truly, I think we are spending most of our time eating!
It's so nice to back in the place where our story began so many years ago. While we're here, I thought I'd also tell you about another story that has some roots in Houston...
Dance, Y'all, Dance is a picture book written by Kelly Bennett, who at one time was the regional advisor for the Houston chapter of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. Bright Sky Press, the independent publisher who published the book in 2009, is also based in Houston.
Written in rhyme to the actual beat of the Texas Two-Step, Dance, Y'all, Dance transports readers back in time to a traditional Texas dance hall where community members of all ages gather for some live music, country dancing, and socialization after a long week of work.
It's Saturday night. The Dance Hall's aglow.
Call Grams and our friends. Head to town for the show.
We worked hard all week. The chores are all done.
A country band's playin'. Let's join the fun.
Step-step, glide, glide,
Kick up your feet.
Dance y'all dance,
To a two-steppin beat. <
4 Comments on On Location in Texas: Dance, Y'all, Dance!, last added: 4/20/2012
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By: Kerry Aradhya,
on 4/13/2012
Blog: Picture Books & Pirouettes (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Ballet, Author Interviews, Holiday House, Emily Arnold McCully, Allegra Kent, New York City Ballet, George Balanchine, Ballerina Swan, The Dancer's Body Book, Once a Dancer, Add a tag
Thanks to Holiday House (the publisher of the new picture book Ballerina Swan), I have a very special interview to share with you today! I recently had the pleasure of speaking on the phone with the book's author, Allegra Kent, about her experiences both as a children's author and as a prima ballerina.
Ms. Kent joined the New York City Ballet when she was just 15 years old and danced many famous roles created for her by choreographer George Balanchine over the years. She retired in 1981 but has stayed active in the dance community, most recently teaching ballet at Barnard College in New York City, where she resides.
Although Ballerina Swan is her first book for children, Ms. Kent is not new to the publishing world. After she retired from the New York City Ballet, she wrote two books for adults--The Dancer's Body Book, which was published in 1984, and her autobiography Once a Dancer, which was published in 1997 and re-released in 2009. I hope you enjoy the following excerpts from my conversation with the sweet, lovely, and legendary Allegra Kent...
In addition to your wonderful career as a dancer, you are quite an accomplished author. What similarities, if any, have you found between dancing and writing?
When I write, I try to make my sentences pirouette. Words can create an atmosphere or scene, and writing actually has a lot of movement and musicality in it. It should sound like music. It ha
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By: Kerry Aradhya,
on 4/6/2012
Blog: Picture Books & Pirouettes (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: National Poetry Month, Read and Romp Roundup, Picture Books and Movement, Picture Books and Dance, National Dance Week, Add a tag
Read or romp? Romp or read?
Books and bodies both can lead.
Turn the pages. Twist and tromp.
Romp and read. Read and romp!
April is a special month for many writers I know because it's National Poetry Month. But April 20-29 is also National Dance Week, so many dance teachers and studios will be planning special activities to celebrate that week. And, of course,
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By: Kerry Aradhya,
on 4/4/2012
Blog: Picture Books & Pirouettes (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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Welcome to our third Read & Romp Roundup, which happens to be all about picture books. Because we don't have as many posts as usual this month, we'll have some extra room to expand on the posts and learn more about the bloggers who submitted them. Here we go!
Alexandra Morrill from Laughing Giraffe Books submitted a dream post for any librarian who wants to add some movement to story time or for any dance teacher who is looking for more children's literature to incorporate into class. The post is a list of 12 picture books that encourage movement, including classics like Giles Andreae's Giraffes Can't Dance and Eric Carle's From Head to Toe. There are also a few books on the list that are new to me, like Can You Make a Scary Face? by Jan Thomas.
With a background as a special education teacher and a reading specialist, Alexandra started Laughing Giraffe Books to help get themed book bundles into the hands of children who would love them. In addition to writing her blog, she offers more than 80 book bundles for children up to age eight, free shipping and gift wrapping, and a book of the month club. Four of her book bundles are movement-themed, each containing several books plus a special serach-and-find game to go along with the collection. What a great idea!
By: Kerry Aradhya,
on 3/28/2012
Blog: Picture Books & Pirouettes (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Board Books, Creative Movement, Sandra Boynton, Barnyard Dance, Maria's Movers, Add a tag
By: Kerry Aradhya,
on 3/19/2012
Blog: Picture Books & Pirouettes (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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By: Kerry Aradhya,
on 3/13/2012
Blog: Picture Books & Pirouettes (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Capoeira, George Ancona, Share a Story, Shape a Future, Multicultural, Add a tag
Last week the annual Share a Story-Shape a Future campaign celebrated "the culture of reading" with a variety of guest blog posts and a multitude of ideas for involving other readers in the campaign. On day 2, Carol Rasco from Reading Is Fundamental posted about reading as a passport to other worlds, which made me start thinking about all the picture books that explore dance styles from around the world.
Also on day 2, the Share a Story-Shape a Future hosts posted the following prompt to encourage other bloggers to share their favorite books about other cultures: "An acquaintance wants a book about a culture unlike his/her own.... You've got 100 words to pitch your favorite book. Pitch us!"
Well, I have quite a large pile of dance books on the floor in my bedroom, all waiting for the lucky day when they are chosen as the highlight of my next blog post. And wouldn't you know? One of them was about dance from another culture! So here goes my pitch...
Capoeira, which has been described as a way of life in Brazil, is now popular in many parts of the world. But what is it? A game? A dance? A martial art? Believe it or not, it's all three! Award-winning photographer and author George Ancona brings this fascinating activity and its African and Portuguese origins to life in the picture book Capoeira, published in 2007 by multicultural publisher Lee and Low Books. You will be amazed by the cunning technique and playful spirit of the many young capoeiristas who are featured in this book!
By: Kerry Aradhya,
on 3/7/2012
Blog: Picture Books & Pirouettes (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Chicken Dance, Bawk and Roll, Read and Romp Roundup, Won Ton, What Do You Do With a Tail Like This?, Peg Leg Bates, A Cat Tale Told in Haiku, Add a tag
By: Kerry Aradhya,
on 2/29/2012
Blog: Picture Books & Pirouettes (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Maria's Movers, Creative Dance, Hokey Pokey, Picture Book for Dance Class, The Croakey Pokey, Holiday House, Ethan Long, Add a tag
By: Kerry Aradhya,
on 2/14/2012
Blog: Picture Books & Pirouettes (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Read and Romp Roundup, Picture Books and Movement, Picture Books and Dance, Add a tag
Happy Valentine's Day! I thought today would be as good a day as any to put out my call for submissions for the February Read & Romp Roundup. If you love picture books, children's poetry, dance, or the simple joys of moving, then you might want to contribute to this month's roundup. And if you love any or all of those things, you can also be my valentine!
If you have a recent (or even not so recent) blog post that involves picture books or children's poetry AND dance, yoga, or another form of movement, leave your link in a comment on this post. I'll round up all the links and post about them together on my blog early next month.
Book reviews, poems, lesson plans, author or illustrator interviews, ideas for dance or yoga classes, and any other creative thoughts you have about combining children's literature and movement for little ones are welcome. And feel free to let other bloggers know about the roundup. Last month's roundup was a great success, and I'm really looking forward to seeing this month's posts!
Submissions are open until Wednesday, February 29, 2012.
By: Kerry Aradhya,
on 2/12/2012
Blog: Picture Books & Pirouettes (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Lauren Thompson, Matthew Cordell, Leap Frog, Scholastic Book Fair, Leap Back Home to Me, Add a tag
By: Kerry Aradhya,
on 2/4/2012
Blog: Picture Books & Pirouettes (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Katharine Holabird, Read and Romp Roundup, Picture Books about Dance, Picture Books for Yoga Class, Picture Books for Dance Class, Dance, Yoga, Langston Hughes, Lois Ehlert, Add a tag
By: Kerry Aradhya,
on 1/29/2012
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By: Kerry Aradhya,
on 1/19/2012
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By: Kerry Aradhya,
on 1/10/2012
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I'm glad you stopped by today because I'm launching something new! The Read & Romp Roundup is going to be a monthly feature in which I invite you to submit your own blog posts that combine picture books or children's poetry with dance, yoga, or other forms of movement. All you have to do is leave a comment with a link to your post, and I'll gather up all the links and summarize them in a new post when the month is over.
I'll accept book reviews, poems, lesson plans, author or illustrator interviews, ideas for dance or yoga classes, and any other creative thoughts you have about combining children's literature and movement for little ones. I'll post about each monthly roundup around the middle of the month, and entries will be open until the last day of that month. So that means you have until January 31st to submit a post for this month! Just leave a link to your post in a comment on this post, and I'll take it from there.
I've realized that several of you blog (at least occasionally) about topics similar to mine, so I thought this would be a fun way to create a small community of bloggers who are integrating children's literature and movement. I also know that many dance teachers, librarians, and parents enjoy combining picture books with movement, so I thought this feature could become a helpful resource for them as well.
So whether you contribute posts to the roundup or just want to stop by from time to time to see what we're up to, I hope you'll enjoy this new feature. As the year continues, I'll be archiving each month's roundup under the "Read & Romp Roundup" tab at the top of my blog.
Please let me know if you have any questions, as I have a feeling we'll have to make up some of the rules as we go along. I'm looking forward to seeing your January posts!
By: Kerry Aradhya,
on 12/27/2011
Blog: Picture Books & Pirouettes (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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I am so happy to let you know that Picture Books & Pirouettes made it into the top 20 of the Top Dance Blogs of 2011 contest, which is being hosted by one of my favorite blogs--Dance Advantage. And I am shocked--and thrilled--that I also made it into the top three blogs in the Teacher Talk category.
Thank you so much to everyone who supported me in the first round of the competition. I couldn't have done it without you! But...the contest is not over. I still need your votes!
If you go here, you can cast your votes in the final round of the competition. You can vote for Picture Books & Pirouettes as your favorite overall dance blog, and you can vote for Picture Books & Pirouettes in the Teacher Talk category. Polls close on January 4, 2012. No comments needed this time. Simply choose my blog from a list, and hit the "vote" button. It's that simple!
Thank you for supporting my blog throughout all of 2011. Your readership means so much to me. Happy New Year!
By: Kerry Aradhya,
on 12/26/2011
Blog: Picture Books & Pirouettes (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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By: Kerry Aradhya,
on 12/22/2011
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Although Bounce was not the final book published in the movement-based series I'm highlighting on my blog this month, I've saved it for last because it holds a special place in my heart.
In the summer of 2007, when my family was in the midst of moving from California to the Washington, DC area, we spent some time at my mom's house in Florida. And while we were there, we of course visited the local bookstore. My older daughter was two and a half at the time, and my younger daughter was several months shy of one. My mom and I together bought several books for the girls that day, but one of the only ones I specifically remember picking out is Bounce. I know we had lots of board books and a few picture books already, but I think of that moment as the start of the hand-picked collection of picture books that we truly cherish now as a family.
As a mother and as a lover of movement, it was hard to resist the bouncy rhythm of the text and the antics of the fun-loving dog who bounces in all sorts of ways--ranging from pretty normal to fairly outlandish--throughout the book. Here's one of my favorite stanzas...
Alexandra Morrill from Laughing Giraffe Books submitted a dream post for any librarian who wants to add some movement to story time or for any dance teacher who is looking for more children's literature to incorporate into class. The post is a list of 12 picture books that encourage movement, including classics like Giles Andreae's Giraffes Can't Dance and Eric Carle's From Head to Toe. There are also a few books on the list that are new to me, like Can You Make a Scary Face? by Jan Thomas.
With a background as a special education teacher and a reading specialist, Alexandra started Laughing Giraffe Books to help get themed book bundles into the hands of children who would love them. In addition to writing her blog, she offers more than 80 book bundles for children up to age eight, free shipping and gift wrapping, and a book of the month club. Four of her book bundles are movement-themed, each containing several books plus a special serach-and-find game to go along with the collection. What a great idea!
Over at Maria's Movers, dance educator Maria Hanley is sharing her suggestions for using the picture book How to Be by Lisa Brown for creative movement. After trying the book out with several age groups, Maria found that it worked best with her five-year-olds, although it was also great for exploring new movement and non-movement words with her four-year-olds.
I've been so fortunate to have gotten to know Maria over the last year and am happy to call her my friend. She's an amazing dance educator who teaches tap, ballet, creative movement, and grown-up and me classes throughout New York City. She's also a contributor to the popular dance resource Dance Advantage, where she writes a monthly column called Kid Concepts.
I've been so fortunate to have gotten to know Maria over the last year and am happy to call her my friend. She's an amazing dance educator who teaches tap, ballet, creative movement, and grown-up and me classes throughout New York City. She's also a contributor to the popular dance resource Dance Advantage, where she writes a monthly column called Kid Concepts.
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By: Kerry Aradhya,
on 3/28/2012
Blog: Picture Books & Pirouettes (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Board Books, Creative Movement, Sandra Boynton, Barnyard Dance, Maria's Movers, Add a tag
Read It. Move It. Share It.
I'm so excited that Maria from Maria's Movers and I are featuring Barnyard Dance! by Sandra Boynton this month. I knew Maria had a copy of the book and so would already by familiar with it, but I recommended it anyway because I love it so much and because I was curious to see how she would use it in her creative movement classes. If you're curious, too, check out her post here.
Stomp your feet! Clap your hands!
Everybody ready for a barnyard dance!
Ever since my first daughter was born seven years ago (my, how time flies!), I've been a big fan of board books. I think of them as simple, sturdy little books that can be loved for a long long time without losing their charm...or their pages. Barnyard Dance! by amazing author and illustrator Sandra Boynton was one of the first board books I received as a gift after I had my first daughter, and it has lasted through many many readings with both of my girls.
In preparing to write this post, I learned that there are nearly four million copies of Barnyard Dance! in print, and Publishers Weekly lists it as one of the bestselling children's books of all time. Wow! It turns out that I've helped contribute to those great sales figures, too. After receiving the book as a gift myself, I bought more than a couple extra copies over the years to give to other new moms.
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By: Kerry Aradhya,
on 3/19/2012
Blog: Picture Books & Pirouettes (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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I live near Washington, DC, and the weather has been absolutely gorgeous lately. The sun has been shining, the cherry blossoms have started blooming, and people are spending more and more time outdoors. I know I have a little extra spring in my step and feel like moving even more than usual, too. What a great opportunity to mix some children's literature in with all that moving, right?
This is the official call for submissions for the March Read & Romp Roundup, and I hope you have some great ideas to share. If you have a recent (or even not so recent) blog post that involves picture books or children's poetry AND dance, yoga, or another form of movement, leave your link in a comment on this post. I'll round up all the links and post about them together on my blog early next month. And feel free to let other bloggers know about the roundup, too!
Last month's roundup included, among many unique entries, some innovate outdoor movement activities to promote literacy. Perfect for a beautiful spring day! What fresh ideas do you have today?
Submissions are open until Saturday, March 31, 2012.
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By: Kerry Aradhya,
on 3/13/2012
Blog: Picture Books & Pirouettes (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Capoeira, George Ancona, Share a Story, Shape a Future, Multicultural, Add a tag
Also on day 2, the Share a Story-Shape a Future hosts posted the following prompt to encourage other bloggers to share their favorite books about other cultures: "An acquaintance wants a book about a culture unlike his/her own.... You've got 100 words to pitch your favorite book. Pitch us!"
Well, I have quite a large pile of dance books on the floor in my bedroom, all waiting for the lucky day when they are chosen as the highlight of my next blog post. And wouldn't you know? One of them was about dance from another culture! So here goes my pitch...
Capoeira, which has been described as a way of life in Brazil, is now popular in many parts of the world. But what is it? A game? A dance? A martial art? Believe it or not, it's all three! Award-winning photographer and author George Ancona brings this fascinating activity and its African and Portuguese origins to life in the picture book Capoeira, published in 2007 by multicultural publisher Lee and Low Books. You will be amazed by the cunning technique and playful spirit of the many young capoeiristas who are featured in this book!
That was a fun exercise! But since 100 words isn't that much, I've also included an image of the book cover above. Since a picture is worth 1,000 words (right?), the cover will hopefully entice you even more to check out this informative and entertaining book.
I'm always on the lookout for interesting dance books to highlight on my blog, so if you have a favorite dance picture book from any culture, I'd love to hear about it. In the meantime, here's a list of other multicultural dance books I've featured so far...
- Drumbeat in Our Feet (A
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By: Kerry Aradhya,
on 3/7/2012
Blog: Picture Books & Pirouettes (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Chicken Dance, Bawk and Roll, Read and Romp Roundup, Won Ton, What Do You Do With a Tail Like This?, Peg Leg Bates, A Cat Tale Told in Haiku, Add a tag
Welcome to our second Read & Romp Roundup! I hope you'll enjoy the February roundup, which highlights some great books for inspiring movement and promoting literacy among the important children in our lives. In case you didn't know, today is also World Read Aloud Day, an annual event sponsored by LitWorld to promote literacy among children in all parts of the world. You can learn more about this special day and ways to participate here. Enjoy the roundup, and happy reading aloud today!
At Access Dance for Life, Jacqui reviews the picture book What Do You Do With a Tail Like This? by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page. Filled with unique animals and their body parts, the book can help kids learn how to lead with different body parts when they dance...and so much more!
Jodie at Growing Book by Book introduces us to 15 Minutes Outside: 365 Ways to Get Out of the House and Connect with Your Kids. But she also goes one step further and uses the book as inspiration to think up eight new outdoor activities to promote literacy with young children. Lots of her ideas include picture books and movement, too!
Head over to Maria's Movers to see how Maria used the picture book Bounce by Doreen Cronin and Scott Menchin in her creative movement classes. Her kids had a great time bouncing and bumping and falling like the adorable dog in this fun book!
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4 Comments on Read & Romp Roundup -- February 2012, last added: 3/9/2012
By: Kerry Aradhya,
on 2/29/2012
Blog: Picture Books & Pirouettes (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Maria's Movers, Creative Dance, Hokey Pokey, Picture Book for Dance Class, The Croakey Pokey, Holiday House, Ethan Long, Add a tag
Read It. Move It. Share It.
Dance educator Maria Hanley and I are exploring the picture book The Croakey Pokey this month. In the book, author and illustrator Ethan Long turns the Hokey Pokey into a perfect song for a creative movement class. Thank you, Holiday House, for sending me a review copy of this creative and entertaining book!
A few weeks ago I blogged about the picture book Leap Back Home to Me, which is a sweet and gentle story about a frog who loves to leap. Well, since today's actually Leap Day, I'm going to blog about frogs again. But this time the frogs aren't so sweet and gentle. They're bouncy and boisterous...and they're hungry!
The Croakey Pokey, written and illustrated by Ethan Long, takes the standard Hokey Pokey and adds a clever twist--just enough to make the song seem like it's new. Set in a pond, the book follows a group of frogs as they shake their body parts one at a time (just like in the traditional song) and then hop around in pursuit of a dragonfly that they just can't seem to catch...
As the book progresses, the illustrations show that the frogs aren't the only ones inhabiting the pond. And they aren't the only ones trying to catch the dragonfly, either. SNAP! go the jaws of an alligator. And SNAP! goes the beak of a bird who is poking his head out of the pond. A little turtle and a few of the frogs are also playing trombones on the edge of the pond, adding an extra vibe of rhythm and fun to the book.
Ethan Long's illustrations in this book make me laugh every time I see them. As the long tongues of more and more frogs just miss catching the dragonfly--WHAP!--the tongues become more prominent in the illustrations. The already bulg
Dance educator Maria Hanley and I are exploring the picture book The Croakey Pokey this month. In the book, author and illustrator Ethan Long turns the Hokey Pokey into a perfect song for a creative movement class. Thank you, Holiday House, for sending me a review copy of this creative and entertaining book!
A few weeks ago I blogged about the picture book Leap Back Home to Me, which is a sweet and gentle story about a frog who loves to leap. Well, since today's actually Leap Day, I'm going to blog about frogs again. But this time the frogs aren't so sweet and gentle. They're bouncy and boisterous...and they're hungry!
The Croakey Pokey, written and illustrated by Ethan Long, takes the standard Hokey Pokey and adds a clever twist--just enough to make the song seem like it's new. Set in a pond, the book follows a group of frogs as they shake their body parts one at a time (just like in the traditional song) and then hop around in pursuit of a dragonfly that they just can't seem to catch...
Put your right hand in,
Put your right hand out,
Put your right hand in,
And wave it all about,
Hop the Croakey Pokey
As we chase a fly around,
Right in the froggy's mouth!
WHAP!
As the book progresses, the illustrations show that the frogs aren't the only ones inhabiting the pond. And they aren't the only ones trying to catch the dragonfly, either. SNAP! go the jaws of an alligator. And SNAP! goes the beak of a bird who is poking his head out of the pond. A little turtle and a few of the frogs are also playing trombones on the edge of the pond, adding an extra vibe of rhythm and fun to the book.
Ethan Long's illustrations in this book make me laugh every time I see them. As the long tongues of more and more frogs just miss catching the dragonfly--WHAP!--the tongues become more prominent in the illustrations. The already bulg
5 Comments on The Croakey Pokey: A Leap Day Dance!, last added: 3/2/2012
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By: Kerry Aradhya,
on 2/14/2012
Blog: Picture Books & Pirouettes (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Read and Romp Roundup, Picture Books and Movement, Picture Books and Dance, Add a tag
Happy Valentine's Day! I thought today would be as good a day as any to put out my call for submissions for the February Read & Romp Roundup. If you love picture books, children's poetry, dance, or the simple joys of moving, then you might want to contribute to this month's roundup. And if you love any or all of those things, you can also be my valentine!
If you have a recent (or even not so recent) blog post that involves picture books or children's poetry AND dance, yoga, or another form of movement, leave your link in a comment on this post. I'll round up all the links and post about them together on my blog early next month.
Book reviews, poems, lesson plans, author or illustrator interviews, ideas for dance or yoga classes, and any other creative thoughts you have about combining children's literature and movement for little ones are welcome. And feel free to let other bloggers know about the roundup. Last month's roundup was a great success, and I'm really looking forward to seeing this month's posts!
Submissions are open until Wednesday, February 29, 2012.
4 Comments on Join This Month's Read & Romp Roundup!, last added: 2/17/2012
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By: Kerry Aradhya,
on 2/12/2012
Blog: Picture Books & Pirouettes (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Lauren Thompson, Matthew Cordell, Leap Frog, Scholastic Book Fair, Leap Back Home to Me, Add a tag
Last week my 7-year-old's elementary school held a Scholastic book fair, and I managed to sneak away from work a few times to help out. I've finally come to terms with the fact that I don't have as much time for volunteering at the school as I'd like, but I've also realized that no matter how hard I try, I can't keep myself away from huge piles of fabulous children's books!
So I spent hours restocking shelves, helping kindergartners write wish lists, answering lots of questions, and counting coins to see if first and second graders had enough money to buy their favorite books. And whenever I had a few free minutes, I spent them browsing in my favorite section of the book fair...the picture books. Among the many treasures I discovered there was Leap Back Home to Me by Lauren Thompson (author) and Matthew Cordell (illustrator).
Throughout the book, a young frog explores the world around him by doing what all frogs do best--leaping! He leaps over daisies, over a creek, over a rocky hilltop, and even over some splashing beavers. The illustrations show him leaping enthusiastically (even upside down on one page) with joy and abandon.
Leap frog over the ladybug.
Leap frog over the bee.
Leap frog over the tickly clover,
Then leap back home to me!
Despite how much fun the little frog seems to be having, at the end of each stanza he always ends up leaping back home to his mother. And his mother is always there, ready to shower him with affection. In one spread, she is waiting with a table full of paper and crayons. In another, she is waiting with a book of "frog time stories" to read. And in still another, she is waiting with what looks to be a warm meal and a pitcher of milk. I know I would certainl
6 Comments on Leap Back Home to Me: A Reassuring Read, last added: 2/13/2012
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By: Kerry Aradhya,
on 2/4/2012
Blog: Picture Books & Pirouettes (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Katharine Holabird, Read and Romp Roundup, Picture Books about Dance, Picture Books for Yoga Class, Picture Books for Dance Class, Dance, Yoga, Langston Hughes, Lois Ehlert, Add a tag
Here, finally, is the Read & Romp Roundup for January 2012. I was thrilled with the response to my first call for submissions and think we have a great and diverse roundup here. Just what I was hoping for! We have picture books with themes of rhythm and dance, unique ideas for incorporating poetry and picture books into dance and yoga classes, and even a birthday celebration for a beloved author who writes about dance. Hope you enjoy the inaugural roundup!
Amy at Delightful Children's Books shares a list of 10 children's books that entertain, inform, inspire, and broaden children's understanding of dance. Amy also created a YouTube playlist to go along with her post, including performances by Fred Astaire, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, and more.
Wait until you see what Eric from Happy Birthday Author did to celebrate author Katherine Holab
10 Comments on Read & Romp Roundup -- January 2012, last added: 2/6/2012
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By: Kerry Aradhya,
on 1/29/2012
Blog: Picture Books & Pirouettes (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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Read It. Move It. Share It.
For our January collaboration, I decided to recommend The Snowy Day for dance educator Maria Hanley to incorporate into her creative movement classes in New York City. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the book, which is being honored in the media, through a national museum tour, and even in a new children's musical this year. You can celebrate it in dance class, too!
Last week, the American Library Association announced the winners of some of the most prestigious annual awards in children's literature. Among them was the Randolph Caldecott Medal, which was awarded to A Ball for Daisy as the most distinguished American picture book of 2011. If you click here, you can see a full list of Caldecott winners and
2 Comments on Happy 50th Anniversary to The Snowy Day!, last added: 1/30/2012
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By: Kerry Aradhya,
on 1/19/2012
Blog: Picture Books & Pirouettes (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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It's true that I haven't posted much on my own blog this month. But, I've been featured in a few other places around the blogosphere that I'm really excited about. Here's a little roundup of sorts...
- I've collaborated with independent publisher Barefoot Books a few times on my blog and am a long-time fan of their books, so I was thrilled when they asked me and Maria Hanley (from Maria's Movers) to be guests on their popular blog. Here's our post on Living Barefoot, where we offer its readers some practical tips on incorporating movement into reading time at home. You might remember that Maria and I have our own collaboration every month in which we explore picture books and how they can be incorporated into creative movement classes. You can check out our archive here.
- Last year, Nichelle Strzepek from Dance Advantage asked me to write a review of dance picture books published in 2010. I'm so happy that she asked me to write a review of books published in 2011, too. You can read my 2011 review here. And speaking of Nichelle at Dance Advantage, thank you again to everyone who voted for me in her Top Dance Blogs of 2011 contest. I came in 16th out of the 32 blogs that entered!
- I recently discovered a wonderful blog called the ABCs of Reading, where elementary school teacher Jayne Gammons gives recommendations on how to use the arts to teach reading comprehension. And she does it all with picture books! Earlier this month, Jayne highlighted creative movement ideas that Maria Hanley came up with based on a picture book I recommended during our monthly collaboration. You can see that blog post here, but I also recommend taking a look around Jayne's whole website. I just love the concept of her blog!
Since we are on the topic of roundups, don't forget to submit a post to my January Read & Romp Roundup if you've blogged about picture books or children's poetry combined with dance, yoga, or any form of movement lately. You can read more about the roundup and leave your links
2 Comments on Here, There and Everywhere!, last added: 1/24/2012
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By: Kerry Aradhya,
on 1/10/2012
Blog: Picture Books & Pirouettes (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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| © Ursula Bruski/www.fotosearch.com |
I'm glad you stopped by today because I'm launching something new! The Read & Romp Roundup is going to be a monthly feature in which I invite you to submit your own blog posts that combine picture books or children's poetry with dance, yoga, or other forms of movement. All you have to do is leave a comment with a link to your post, and I'll gather up all the links and summarize them in a new post when the month is over.
I'll accept book reviews, poems, lesson plans, author or illustrator interviews, ideas for dance or yoga classes, and any other creative thoughts you have about combining children's literature and movement for little ones. I'll post about each monthly roundup around the middle of the month, and entries will be open until the last day of that month. So that means you have until January 31st to submit a post for this month! Just leave a link to your post in a comment on this post, and I'll take it from there.
I've realized that several of you blog (at least occasionally) about topics similar to mine, so I thought this would be a fun way to create a small community of bloggers who are integrating children's literature and movement. I also know that many dance teachers, librarians, and parents enjoy combining picture books with movement, so I thought this feature could become a helpful resource for them as well.
So whether you contribute posts to the roundup or just want to stop by from time to time to see what we're up to, I hope you'll enjoy this new feature. As the year continues, I'll be archiving each month's roundup under the "Read & Romp Roundup" tab at the top of my blog.
Please let me know if you have any questions, as I have a feeling we'll have to make up some of the rules as we go along. I'm looking forward to seeing your January posts!
22 Comments on Introducing the Read & Romp Roundup!, last added: 1/24/2012
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By: Kerry Aradhya,
on 12/27/2011
Blog: Picture Books & Pirouettes (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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I am so happy to let you know that Picture Books & Pirouettes made it into the top 20 of the Top Dance Blogs of 2011 contest, which is being hosted by one of my favorite blogs--Dance Advantage. And I am shocked--and thrilled--that I also made it into the top three blogs in the Teacher Talk category.
Thank you so much to everyone who supported me in the first round of the competition. I couldn't have done it without you! But...the contest is not over. I still need your votes!
If you go here, you can cast your votes in the final round of the competition. You can vote for Picture Books & Pirouettes as your favorite overall dance blog, and you can vote for Picture Books & Pirouettes in the Teacher Talk category. Polls close on January 4, 2012. No comments needed this time. Simply choose my blog from a list, and hit the "vote" button. It's that simple!
Thank you for supporting my blog throughout all of 2011. Your readership means so much to me. Happy New Year!
2 Comments on Top Dance Blogs: Please Vote for Me!, last added: 1/24/2012
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By: Kerry Aradhya,
on 12/26/2011
Blog: Picture Books & Pirouettes (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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December is winding down, and what a month it has been! My youngest daughter turned 5, we survived her art and cupcake party (where the kids used acrylic paints and real canvases to make cupcake masterpieces), and we made it through all the holiday planning and have been sitting back and enjoying some good old fashioned family time.
As the month nears its end, my blog's December of Doreen is also nearly over. I hope you've enjoyed learning a little more about the picture books Wiggle, Bounce, and Stretch and that you have some fresh ideas for using them to foster movement and yes--even yoga--among the little ones in your life. To finish off the month, Doreen Cronin kindly answered a few questions I had for her over email about this series of books. Enjoy...and happy holidays, everyone!
Wiggle, Bounce, and Stretch are such fun and simple movement books that all children can relate to. What inspired you to choose these themes for the books?
4 Comments on An Interview with Author Doreen Cronin, last added: 1/24/2012
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By: Kerry Aradhya,
on 12/22/2011
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Read It. Move It. Share It.
This month I'm recommending the picture book Bounce for independent dance educator Maria Hanley to incorporate into her creative movement classes in New York City. This post is also part of a December of Doreen, in which I'm featuring three movement-themed books by author Doreen Cronin and illustrator Scott Menchin. After reading the post, bounce on over to Maria's blog to see how she used the book in her classes.
Although Bounce was not the final book published in the movement-based series I'm highlighting on my blog this month, I've saved it for last because it holds a special place in my heart.In the summer of 2007, when my family was in the midst of moving from California to the Washington, DC area, we spent some time at my mom's house in Florida. And while we were there, we of course visited the local bookstore. My older daughter was two and a half at the time, and my younger daughter was several months shy of one. My mom and I together bought several books for the girls that day, but one of the only ones I specifically remember picking out is Bounce. I know we had lots of board books and a few picture books already, but I think of that moment as the start of the hand-picked collection of picture books that we truly cherish now as a family.
As a mother and as a lover of movement, it was hard to resist the bouncy rhythm of the text and the antics of the fun-loving dog who bounces in all sorts of ways--ranging from pretty normal to fairly outlandish--throughout the book. Here's one of my favorite stanzas...
It's hard to bounce in roller skates.
It's fun to bounce on poles.
If hippos bounced from place to place,
imagine all the holes!
By: Kerry Aradhya,
on 12/14/2011
Blog: Picture Books & Pirouettes (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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The picture book Stretch, published in 2009, is the third book in Doreen Cronin's series for little movers. If you compare the covers of Wiggle (the first book in the series) and Stretch, you can see that the dog from the book has evolved over time. He seems just a little bit crisper and a little bit cuter than he did when the series began, don't you think? He's also gotten even more creative and is now doing yoga!
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I just love that part about the hippos, and I love the illustration that goes with it. There is a huge hippo that covers a large portion of a two-page spread, and it's obvious tha
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By: Kerry Aradhya,
on 12/14/2011
Blog: Picture Books & Pirouettes (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
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The picture book Stretch, published in 2009, is the third book in Doreen Cronin's series for little movers. If you compare the covers of Wiggle (the first book in the series) and Stretch, you can see that the dog from the book has evolved over time. He seems just a little bit crisper and a little bit cuter than he did when the series began, don't you think? He's also gotten even more creative and is now doing yoga! 
Today's guest post is by speech-language pathologist and children's yoga specialist Angela Moorad, who is also the founder of OMazing Kids Yoga, LLC. It's part of a series of posts about three movement-themed picture books by author Doreen Cronin and illustrator Scott Menchin. Angela was nice enough to take time out of her busy schedule to share her ideas for using their book Stretch in yoga classes for kids, including those with special needs. Thanks, Angela!
6 Comments on A Guest Post for Little Yogis: Ready...Set...Stretch!, last added: 12/18/2011
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Your blog is just wonderful!
Thank you so so much for the kind comment, Kristi. It really made my night :)