Susanna Leonard Hill has a feature on her blog called Perfect Picture Book Friday. It is a list of “perfect” picture books recommended by all sorts of people. I chose this book because I felt like dancing when I was reading it!
Tap
-Dance Fever
By Pat Brisson
Illustrated by Nancy Cote
32 Pages – Ages 5+
Published by Boyds Mills Press on March 1, 2005
Theme/Topic – Being yourself / Dancing / Being happy
Opening and Synopsis –
“Annabelle Applegate was the tap-dancingest girl in Fiddler’s Creek. She danced so much she wore out the linoleum in her ma’s kitchen. She made ridges along Creek Road on her way to school. She even danced a hole clear through the rickety old schoolhouse floor. Folks asked her to stop, but it did no good. Annabelle only heard the song in her head that made her feet want to move.”
Annabelle danced so much that it is causing trouble in her town. The townspeople try everything they can think of to get her to stop. They try blocking the path with junk, and taking her dance shoes, but nothing they do works! Will the town learn to appreciate Anabelle’s talent?
Why I liked this book – This was a very cute story. I really love the illustrations - especially how Anabelle’s dresses are drawn! The story has a funny and happy ending to it. Kids will hopefully learn from Annabelle. She’s always happy and doing what she likes best no matter what the problem. That’s being a good role model. I recommend this book to kids 5+!
Activities and Resources –
Make your own tap shoes! Get a pair of old shoes and glue pennies to the bottom of them and you are ready to dance! I found this idea at the Real Simple website (click HERE).
Once you have your tap shoes ready you can get some dance move ideas from the videos below!
For more information about Pat Brisson and her books, please visit her website by clicking HERE.
To find more Perfect Picture Books please visit Susanna Hill’s blog HERE
I’ve always wanted to tap dance, this looks brilliant!
I think you would like this book then!
I adore books that are happy and fun and teach a valuable lesson. Thanks for the great review, Erik. And big congrats on your 250 word story win–it was fantastic.
Thank you Ms. Robinson!
Nice review. You’ve thought of everything. The book instantly reminded me of the movie footloose (the original).
Thanks Ms. Morris! Is “Footloose” appropiate for kids? I haven’t hear of it.
No, “Footloose” isn’t really a good kid movie.
Thanks for the info Mrs. Isenhoff!
What a delightful book! Too bad I hadn’t known about the gluing pennies onto the shoes thing when I was little — I so longed for tap shoes! And I loved those videos. Thanks!
You might want to send the link to this post to Ms. Kerry Aradhya’s blog Picture Books and Pirouettes for her monthly “Read and Romp Roundup” of picture books about dance — here’s the link: http://kerryaradhya.blogspot.com/p/read-romp-roundup.html
Thanks for letting me know about this Ms. Stilborn!
I’ll check out the link!
Thanks, Beth, for mentioning my roundup! Erik, I’d love to include your post. Here’s the link for submissions to the September roundup: http://kerryaradhya.blogspot.com/2012/09/join-september-read-romp-roundup.html.
By the way, I love the idea of making your own tap shoes to go along with the book!
That’s great! I submitted my link today!
This sounds like a very entertaining book with a great message. I like Pat Brisson, but was not familiar with the book. Also enjoyed the video trailers of Sammy and Julie and Shirley Temple. They made me smile. Great choice.
Thanks Ms. Tilton! I am glad you like my review and the videos! I am glad they make you happy!
This looks like a really fun book!
Your videos reminded me of my very favorite Cosby show episode ever. I fall out of my chair every time I watch this clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaBTaok3qG0
CHALLENGE! I loved the clip! It was really funny! I didn’t hear of Sandman Simms before. I like to watch old movies with dancers in them like Fred Astaire and Sammy Davis Jr. This was a great clip!
I like those, too. All this “Singin’ in the Rain” is making me want to watch the movie.
It’s making me want to watch the movie too!
I so loved the video clips Erik. The book is a lovely choice for PPBF. Your review is great, I would love to know what happens at the end… Thanks Erik.
I am glad you like my choice Ms. Tulloch! I am also glad you like the videos!
I’m going to have to find this for my daughter. She loves to dance. Great review!
Thanks Ms. Finison! I hope your daughter likes it!
I love this review. It is such an important message. To do what you are good at, and do it well…to follow your passion.
Thank you Dr. Clune! I like how you put the message of the book!
lol, love the video clips, Erik! Thanks for another great recommendation!
I am glad you like the videos Ms. Dixon!
I think you’d like this book! 
This looks and sounds terrific, Erik! I really want to read it – I love the opening! And if you haven’t seen the tap-dancing sequences from Singin’ In The Rain (one of my all time favorite movies on earth!) you are missing out. Gene Kelly and Donald O’Connor could DANCE! If you haven’t seen it and are looking for a great family movie for a weekend night, check it out
I really want to get Singin’ in the rain! My teacher played the actual Singin’ in the Rain part (and when they sing the “Good morning” song). I want to watch the rest! This is a great book. I’m glad you like my pick!
I am having visions from the movie, “Singing in the Rain,” which has some of my favorite dance numbers. I love the voice in this book. It’s a little colloquial and country, but seems just right for this tale.
My fourth grade teacher showed us a clip of singing in the rain (the dance to the song). I really loved it! I want to see the whole movie. This book is a lot of fun to read!
sounds like a fun book. thanks!
It IS fun!
Erik…my feet are tapping already!!! I love this book….so funny…and I’m always looking for books that encourage kids to be themselves.
Thanks also for the Shirley Temple clips…I loved her movies as a child…and still enjoy them. 
Great review!
HAHAHA! This is a great book! I am glad you like my review and the clips!
Your reviews are always stellar, Erik!
Erik, Thank you for this lovely review and for the great links to the tap dancers and easy to make tap shoes. I’m so impressed with your talent and enthusiasm. Keep up your excellent blogging!
No, thank YOU for commenting, Ms. Brisson! I am glad you like my review, activities, and resources!
I could tell why you chose this for PPBF – the illustrations do look gorgeous – I think that’s extremely crucial in picture books. Plus, I have a special affinity for books that talk about talent in various forms/disciplines – and dancedancedance!
I am glad you like my choice Ms. Bascal! This is a great book!
What a cute cover. This sounds right up my alley. I am adding it to my library list. Thanks!
I hope you like it!