Dancers in the Garden [ILLUSTRATED] (Paperback)

~ (Author), Judith Lopez (Illustrator) "In the chilly morning, soft fog paints the garden gray..." (more)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Stretching its tiny wings, a hummingbird wakes to a new day's warmth. As he darts around the sunlight, his throat flashes iridescent colors. In Lopez and Ryder's careful observation, the frenetic bird slows down enough for readers to track his feeding, sleeping, mating and nesting habits. "Dancing in the brightness, / hummingbird dips down/ where silken webs dangle, / trapping tiny flyers. / Quickly he plucks a web, / stealing his breakfast from spider." Expressive and elegant, the poetic language is perfectly matched by exquisite, detailed watercolors rimmed in gold. Through an adult's empathetic reading aloud, such refinement may captivate sensitive youngsters. But other beginning readers may find this lingering and placid contemplation ill-suited to the spirited aeronaut, which flies backward, sideways and upside down and screeches to a halted suspension with wings blurring like the blades of a fan. Still, the book admirably delineates the grace and delicacy of this diminutive marvel of nature. Ages 5-9.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-Grade 3-- The ``dancers'' described here are Allen's hummingbirds as seen in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park. Ryder's text is minimal, yet the brief, rhythmic phrases capture the essence of her small, lively subjects as she describes a day in their lives. The concluding ``Author's Note'' fills in additional facts about the birds (including ways for readers to attract them to their own yards and gardens). Much of the information is valid for other species of hummingbirds as well. Lopez's watercolors depict both the grace and the toughness of the tiny creature. The use of double-page spreads enhances the sense of motion that is so well conveyed in the narrative. The bird's swift darting flight and nearly invisible wingbeats are cleverly shown through many poses, as if in time-lapse photos. Although balanced and slightly stylized, the artwork accurately reflects the imperfections in nature as well as its beauty. The book is a visual treat that can be enjoyed both as a picture book and read-aloud, and as a source of information. The author's ``Acknowledgements'' on the verso of the title page also functions as a short bibliography.
- Ruth S. Vose, San Francisco Public Library
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Sierra Club Books for Children (September 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0871564106
• ISBN-13: 978-0871564108
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7.3 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #801,072 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Beautiful Nature Book, March 30, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Dancers in the Garden (Hardcover)

This is a lovely book, a perfect union of text and illustrations. Ryder deftly turns child-suitable prose into poetry: "lyrical" is simply the best word to describe it. As befitting a Sierra Club publication, she is ornithologically accurate in her portrayl of the Allen's hummingbird, and includes a useful discussion of hummers in general at the end of the book. Lopez's watercolors are every bit the author's equal. Each two-page spread is a delight to the eye, accurate in the details and evocative in feeling. And for those of us east of the Mississippi, there's something of a bonus. Since our local hummer is the ruby-throat, not the Allen's, and our flora and fauna are a world apart from the book's San Francisco locale, there's a bit of the exotic in this work. All in all, Dancers in the Garden is a very fine nature book for children and parents to enjoy together.

5.0 out of 5 stars Love this book!!, July 26, 2009

By	John A. Hayes "Nana Hayes" (Chillicothe, IL) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I had to purchase this book for reading to my granddaughters when they are at Nana's house. I am a banding spot for hummingbirds, so they have been priviledged to watch these amazing little birds from their arrival in the spring until they are banded in August, and then begin their migration. It explains to them why they do their dance, and why they love Nana's fountain garden that was planted just for them! I wish every child the experience of watching and holding a hummingbird in your hand-it is pure magic....