Earthdance [Hardcover]

Joanne Ryder (Author), Norman Gorbaty (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 15, 1996 | Age Level: 5 and up

In dynamic words and dramatic pictures, Earthdance invites young readers to become not just part of the earth, but Earth itself.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

"Stretch your arms out wide and slowly spin around," encourages the narrator of Ryder's (The Snail's Spell) somewhat uneven environmental ode, in which the reader imagines him or herself as Earth. Certain passages resonate with poetic imagery ("You are twirling so gracefully, carefully, not even the sand moves as you spin"). Others stumble along ("Up your hills/ and down your rivers,/ cars and ships/ carry people/ from one place/ to another,/ all places on you"). The powerful illustrations, however, solidify the book's appeal. Gorbaty's (God's Gift) conceptual, stencil compositions-most featuring a horizon-like arc-convey movement, as if the scenes of crowds, volcanoes and footprints in the snow are revolving on a globe before the viewer. Often he needs only a few bold strokes and scratches of color against a deep black background to capture a world charged with energy and drama, one in which majestic icebergs crack and waterfalls tumble. Most readers should catch on to the book's novel, albeit abstract approach. Its case for actually inspiring a sense of connection and responsibility to the planet is less certain, though given its visual strengths, it stands a good chance. Ages 4-7.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 5?This celebratory poem asks readers to imagine that they are the Earth. Ryder first evokes the celestial body in space, spinning and dancing around the sun, larger than the moon. She suggests that its forests, seas, and deserts form a brightly colored and comforting quilt. And of course, it is home to so many creatures. Earth is personified through striking tactile imagery: "Wiggle your shoulders/ and mountains tremble and quake./ Shake your hair and feel windswept grasses tickle your face." The poem grows in power as it flows along, and is ably supported throughout by Gorbaty's gorgeous, inventive artwork. This is an especially well-designed book, with its use of appealing bright colors and careful placement of text. The illustrations, both stylized and childlike, set a playful mood that nonetheless dovetails nicely with the poet's environmental message: "Dance slowly,/spin gently,/and carry them/ through space. May they hear /your whispers,/feel your strength/under their feet, and treasure you."?Marilyn Taniguchi, Santa Monica Public Library, CA
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR); First Edition edition (April 15, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805026789
• ISBN-13: 978-0805026788
• Product Dimensions: 12.4 x 9.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,468,739 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredibly moving book!, August 24, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Earthdance (Hardcover)

Not knowing the subject of this book, I sat down to read "Earth Dance" out loud to my young daughter (not because she can't read, but because we enjoy reading to each other). I began as I usually begin a book -- finding the passion in the words and the mood of the illustrations as I read out loud. I was immediately enchanted by the beauty of the words in this poem, and so moved by the message that, to my surprise, tears began to well in my eyes! I was reading the line "You are twirling so gracefully, carefully, not even the sand moves as you spin..". Surprised by my reaction, I looked through my own teary eyes into (surprise again!)the teary eyes of my ten-year-old daughter. She was as deeply affected as I! That truly is the hallmark of a good poet and artist, who can touch your heart and mind so completely with words.

Hours later, still deeply affected by the story, illustrations, and our reaction to them, I realized that I had just experienced a gentle magic moment, no small thing for an adult who has read a hundred children's books.

I cannot say enough about how good this book is --for children and the adults who read to them.

To the mothers of future ecologists, future artists, future parents...to all the readers of Joanne Ryder's Earth Dance: dance slowly, spin gently, and carry this book home to share with all the children of our precious Earth.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful! And my 20 students agree!, August 19, 2002

By 

School Faery "miss_smurfi" (Brea, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Earthdance (Paperback)

I picked this story up in the Spring to read to my first grade class around Earth Day. First I read it to them with the illustrations, and then we read it a second time, with the children closing their eyes and visualizing. They loved this and produced the most amazing drawings, with writing of how they'd dance upon the Earth. I recommend this book highly to parents or teachers for a variety of reasons: It is beautiful, it inspires imagination, and it reflects love for the Earth.

5.0 out of 5 stars Love this book!!!, December 22, 2008

By 

D. Harris "yogawithdawn" (Midlothian, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Earthdance (Paperback)

My 8 year old daughter & I love to read this book together! What a great way to connect to mother earth through the love of books/reading.