How Do You Dance?
Thyra Heder
Abrams Books for Young Readers
How Do You Dance? That question is posed on the title page followed by some responsive ‘like this’ moves, while there’s a little boy shown opposite sitting reading.
Turn over and some adults have joined the fun ‘like this’ they say, while the same boy, now standing digs his heels in: “I don’t”.
Out from behind him leaps a girl “I do” she counters indicating a cleaner …
Others take up the beat, the joy of each one being beautifully captured in Heder’s watercolour and pencil illustrations, as they beckon, bop, flit, scrunch, pull faces, swirl and twirl.
The same small girl then shows a series of moves
before leading readers to assorted locations wherein to continue the dance – the kitchen for shimmying on account of your delicious cooking;
or outdoors
and sometimes you just need to cheer yourself up with some floppy steps; there are just so many possibilities.
(A chart is provided should readers feel like experimenting).
This dance thing is just SO infectious that Dads and even animals kick up their heels and eventually they all (bar one) come together in a wonderful climactic celebration of dancing …
But what of our naysayer – does he ever dance? He insists he wants to be left alone …
If this utterly joyful book doesn’t get you on your feet and trying out some new moves, I’ll hang up my dancing shoes.
