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Song and Dance Man
Song and Dance Man
Author: Karen Ackerman
Grandpa demonstrates for his visiting grandchildren some of the songs, dances, and jokes he performed when he was a vauderville entertainer. Winner of the Caldecott Medal
ISBN-13: 9780349893303
ISBN-10: 0349893306
Publication Date: 1988
Pages: 28
Rating:
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0 stars, based on 0 rating
Publisher: Alfred A. Knoph, Inc.
Book Type: Hardcover
Other Versions: Paperback, Audio Cassette
Members Wishing: 0
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annalovesbooks avatar reviewed Song and Dance Man on
ISBN 0590430092 - Only once before did I wish for a special sixth star... this one deserves at least that many. I read a lot, and a lot of kids' books. Among them, there are always books that are really good, even great, and those get 5 stars. Then there will come a book like Song and Dance Man and I almost regret doling out a 5 star review to other books that don't quite reach the same level as this one.

Three children visit their grandparents. Grandpa tells them, as he has before, about the good old days, when he was a song and dance man on the vaudeville stage. While Grandma makes dinner, Grandpa takes the children into the attic where he has a trunk full of old costumes and props. The children watch as their grandfather performs, tap dancing and telling corny old jokes that they've heard before but still make them laugh. When the show is over, the children applaud and Grandpa packs away his things... for next time. Grandpa assures the kids that he wouldn't trade a day with them for a million good old days.

The text, by Karen Ackerman is descriptive and draws you right into the story and, from there, right into Grandpa's past. This is a fantastic story, especially good for grandparents to read to little ones. Illustrator Stephen Gammell is one of those people whose work you come across now and then without knowing his name and he always seems to do a job appropriate to the story. Here, the illustrations are mostly bright and colorful, like many childrens' books, but Gammell still manages to work darker shades in where they belong (like in the attic). There's a feeling of motion in many of the images that captures everything from Grandpa's dancing to a group hug. Neither Ackerman's story nor Gammell's illustrations would be half as good, or even feel complete, without the other.

- AnnaLovesBooks
reviewed Song and Dance Man on + 209 more book reviews
Great story. Wonderful illustrations. This book was awarded the Caldecott Medal (for artwork) in 1989. You'll love it! It's all about Grandpa!
vprosser avatar reviewed Song and Dance Man on + 161 more book reviews
This book was awarded the 1989 Caldecott Medal.


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