Song and Dance Man (by Karen Ackerman)

It's hard not to be nostalgic about the good old days when reading SONG AND DANCE MAN, whether you were lucky enough to be around then or not. While most kids who read the book are unlikely to have a grandparent old enough to have performed in vaudeville, the sense of nostalgia that permeates the book will be familiar to anyone who has spent quality time listening to their grandparents' stories.

This is a great read-aloud, 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.