Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that this picture book is a terrific addition to every family library, and a great book for grandparents to read to their grandchildren.
Families can talk about what sorts of memories their own kids' grandparents have. Do any of them have any hidden talents? Do they have favorite things packed away? Maybe kids will want to write their own book starring their grandparents.
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Dawn Friedman
One lucky trio of kids has a grandfather who used to be a hit on the vaudeville circuit. While grandma fixes dinner he takes his grandkids up to the attic to tell them more about "back in the good old days, the song and dance days."
It's hard not to be nostalgic about those days when reading SONG AND DANCE MAN, whether you were lucky enough to be around then or not. Grandpa sets the scene, doing a few magic tricks, telling a few dusty jokes, and then he finishes with his show-stopping dance routine, leaving his grandkids applauding.
While most kids who read the book are unlikely to have a grandparent old enough to have performed on the vaudeville stage, the sense of nostalgia that permeates the book will be familiar to anyone who has spent quality time listening to their grandparents' stories.
Song and Dance Man is a great read-aloud with grandpa's showmanship shining through, but it's Stephen Gammell's wonderful pencil drawings that make it a classic. His soft and inviting style is perfect for the lumpy, comfy grandpa and the tousled, happy kids. Rainbow colors glow behind the family, giving the book the warmth and coziness of a worn, handmade quilt.
From The Book
As soon as Grandpa opens it, the smell of cedar chips and old things saved fills the attic. Inside are his shoes with the silver, half-moon taps on the toes and heels, bowler hats and top hats, and vests with stripes and matching bow ties.
Plot Summary:
On a lazy afternoon, Grandpa takes the kids to the attic to regale them with tales of the olden days when he performed on the vaudeville stage.
Related Books:
Other Books Illustrated by Stephen Gammell:
Monster Mama
Where the Buffaloes Begin
Is That You, Winter?
Timothy Cox Will Not Change His Socks
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