Song and Dance Man explained

Song and Dance Man
Author:Karen Ackerman
Illustrator:Stephen Gammell
Country:United States
Genre:Children's picture book
Publisher:Knopf
Release Date:1988
Media Type:Print
Pages:32
Isbn:0-394-89330-1
Dewey:[E] 19
Congress:PZ7.A1824 So 1988
Oclc:15485512

Song and Dance Man is a children's picture book written by Karen Ackerman and illustrated by Stephen Gammell. Published in 1988 by Knopf Books, the book is about a grandfather who tells his grandchildren about his adventures on the stage. Gammell won the 1989 Caldecott Medal for his illustrations, pencil drawings using full colors.[1]

Synopsis

Three children visit their grandfather and have a wonderful time as he reminisces about his performances on stage. He tells stories of when he was a vaudeville song and dance man, when people did not sit in front of the television for hours. He leads the children to the attic, and finds his old bowler hat, gold-tipped cane, and tap shoes. He performs, telling jokes, dancing and singing, making the children laugh.

Critical reception

Song and Dance Man was published to very strong reviews. The New York Times Book Review called it " a charming, lighthearted and entertaining book",[2] The Everyday Magazine described it as "a wonderfully nostalgic picture book",[3] The video version of Song and Dance Man was reviewed positively by the School Library Journal as a very good addition to both school and public library collections.[4]

Notes and References

  1. American Library Association: Caldecott Medal Winners, 1938 – Present. URL accessed 27 May 2009.
  2. "CHILDREN'S BOOKS." The New York Times. (February 12, 1989, Sunday, Late City Final Edition): 489 words. LexisNexis Academic. Web. Date Accessed: 2014/11/10.
  3. "LIBRARIANS CHOOSE THE 'BEST'." St. Louis Post-Dispatch (Missouri). (January 15, 1989, SUNDAY, LATE FIVE STAR Edition): 1827 words. LexisNexis Academic. Web. Date Accessed: 2014/11/10.
  4. Sherman, Louise L., and Phyllis Levy Mandell. "Song And Dance Man (Film)." School Library Journal 37.1 (1991): 58. Academic Search Complete. Web. 10 Nov. 2014.