Dancing [Hardcover]

Denys Cazet (Author), Craig Bond (Photographer)

Book Description

Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Alex's father sings a song to reassure him that he is still loved, even though there is a new baby in the family. Words and music included at the end of the story.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A disappointing offering, Cazet's ("I'm Not Sleepy") slight, sentimental story focuses on Alex, a boy disgusted by his noisy newborn sibling. "Maybe we can send the baby back to the hospital," he suggests to his father. But Father shows the boy a slip of pink paper and answers, "Paid in full... we own him." The man turns his son's attention to music that is playing, saying "I think this song is about you." As Father sings Alex some wishy-washy lyrics?"Maybe the moon/ knows just how you feel,/ sharing the night/ with the stars./ They'll be dancing forever/ through all the heavens, / dancing forever and ever"?a bizarre series of illustrations show a night sky populated by an oversized star with the face of a baby and a fat full moon with an adult physiognomy. Alex then asks his father to dance with him, and the man picks him up and vows that he will catch him if he falls ("'Always?' asked Alex. 'Always,' says his father. Always"). Craig Bond wrote a score for the song, which is reproduced at the book's end. Ages 3-6.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 2?Alex is unhappy with his new baby brother, so he slams out of the house and sticks out his tongue at the stars. When his dad joins him on the front steps, Alex suggests that they send the baby back. Dad, however, pulls out a pink slip and explains that they can't?they've already paid for him. The man then sings a loving song that links the boy and his new sibling to the moon, which shares the sky with the stars (and, in particular, with a rising star featuring an infant's face): "They'll be dancing forever/through all the heavens,/dancing forever and ever." Then parent and child dance beneath the starry sky. Cazet skillfully evokes a warm father-son relationship through both text and watercolor illustrations. The youngster's emotions?anger, jealousy, insecurity?are readily apparent from the first time readers see his small figure dwarfed by an immense, star-filled firmament. Dad reassures him that he is still loved, that he will always be a part of the family, and even suggests that he will grow to love the new baby. A lovely book to share with children facing a new family addition.?Marilyn Taniguchi, Santa Monica Public Library, CA
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover
• Publisher: Orchard Books (NY); First Edition edition (September 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0531094669
• ISBN-13: 978-0531094662
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,788,226 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars When the kid sticks his tongue out is the best., June 2, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Dancing (Library Binding)

I think that people who like dancing would prefer this book, called dancing by denys cazet.I didn't like it because the illustration was boring. It's written by denys cazet oh by the way I kind of don't like dancing. One thing I liked about the book was when the kid yells.

4.0 out of 5 stars Dancing has good watercolor illustrations., June 1, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Dancing (Library Binding)

I did enjoy this book because it was fun looking at the pictures--because they are cool. I really liked the style of illustration using the dark and light watercolor media. And the writing fit the pictures !