Tap-Dance Fever [Hardcover]

Pat Brisson (Author), Nancy Cote (Illustrator)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 2–Annabelle Applegate's tapping toes have worn out the linoleum in her mama's kitchen and dug a hole in the schoolhouse floor. The townsfolk are upset by her antics and blame her for their problems, including broken eyeglasses and chickens that refuse to lay eggs. They put obstacles in her path, and Deputy Thistledown steals her tap shoes, but nothing stops Annabelle's enthusiasm for dancing. One day, she encounters dozens of rattlesnakes near Mrs. Pontoon's henhouse, and they dance along with her. She leads them to the fairgrounds stage, and in no time becomes a champion and celebrity. Tourists come from miles around, and the town prospers. Cote's appealing watercolor-and-gouache cartoon illustrations are lively and expressive, and portray a multicultural community. Fans of Brisson's Wanda's Roses (Boyds Mills, 1994) will enjoy this jazzy new protagonist. This toe-tapping tale will dance its way into the hearts of readers, who will appreciate its humor and the resourcefulness of its heroine.–Be Astengo, Alachua County Library, Gainesville, FL

From Booklist

PreS-Gr. 2. Nothing, it seems, can stop the tappity-tap of Annabelle Applegate's dancing feet. The folks of Fiddler's Creek, who vow to prevent her from wearing ridges in the road and holes in the schoolroom floor, take away her tap shoes, but she nails bottle tops to a pair of old boots and keeps dancing along. When they steal her boots, she tapes pennies to her heels and keeps on tapping. And when Annabelle trains the local rattlesnakes to dance with her, she becomes famous, bringing prosperity to her neighbors, who begin to see the value of her gift. A deliciously tall tale with an appealing young heroine, the story of Annabelle's troubles and triumph reads aloud well. Just as amusing are Cote's fanciful watercolor-and-gouache paintings of a multicultural, rural community--art that is varied in composition, exaggerated in characterization, and exuberant in spirit. Inspirational for children who feel driven to do what they love and great fun for everyone else. Carolyn Phelan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Boyds Mills Press (March 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1590782909
• ISBN-13: 978-1590782903
• Product Dimensions: 11.5 x 8.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,233,075 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars silly little story, June 16, 2009

By 

Lainie (Swansea, MA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Tap-Dance Fever (Hardcover)

A must have book for anyone with a young dancer in the house.
Just hope they don't bring home their own dancing rattlesnakes!

3.0 out of 5 stars Cute Story & Great Illustrations, May 16, 2011

By 

Deanna Jenkins (KY) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Tap-Dance Fever (Hardcover)

I got this book to read/interact with to my dance classes--the older kids loved it as much as the little ones! This does have some big words that I had to help them sound out but they all loved the story.

5.0 out of 5 stars NEVER ACCUSE AND SADEN A TAP DANCER!, July 28, 2006

By 

Man Outside "Gilbert" (Montclair,N.J. U.S.A.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tap-Dance Fever (Hardcover)

Annabelle Applegate was setting up the citizens of Fiddler's Creek into realizing 2 things.A:Is was those dangerous rattlesnakes that were responsible for causing Mrs.Ethel Pontoon's chickens to stop laying eggs.And B:Even if a tap dancer winds up causing damages in conclusion,still never hate but only appreciate his or her tap dancing talents,even if it is your own talented,gifted child or children!Personally i was born to like tap dancing along with raw talent!