Here are our favorite books about dance for children. These titles can be found in the Easy and Early Reader sections of the library, unless otherwise noted.
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Big Tune: Rise of the Dancehall Prince
by Alliah L. Agostini
This joyful picture book, set in a vibrant Caribbean American neighborhood, follows a young Black boy with big dancing dreams as he learns the true meaning of courage, confidence and community.
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Pete the Cat and the Cool Cat Boogie
by Kim Dean
Practicing a totally groovy new dance, Pete the Cat is told by a grumpy neighbor that his moves are all wrong and he resolves to become a better dancer before receiving advice from wise Owl that he will be most cool when he is just himself.
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Mermaid Day
by Diana Murray
On Mermaid Day, the mer-queen throws a big bash, inviting sea creatures of all kinds to enjoy the day with dancing, games and all sorts of fun, but when a shark is seen lurking in the dark, the mermaids know this shark is only shy and is welcomed to the celebration, as well!
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Everybunny Dance!
by Ellie Sandall
Rhythmic text and energetic illustrations combine in the story of a large group of cheerful dancing bunnies who play, sing and jitterbug on a grassy field and under the stars until a not-so-scary fox crashes the festivities.
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Amy Wu and the Ribbon Dance
by Kat Zhang
After seeing Chinese ribbon dancing for the first time, Amy Wu wants to throw a dance party but doesn't have the perfect ribbon until her mom comes to her rescue with a special story.
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Powwow Day
by Traci Sorell
Unable to dance at the powwow this year due to illness, River feels isolated and alone until she discovers the healing power of community, in this uplifting, contemporary Native American story.
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Llama Llama Dance Recital Fun
by Anna Dewdney
After Llama Llama learns that her friend Luna has stage fright, she helps Luna overcome it so that she can take part in a dance recital.
This title can be found in the Early Reader section of the library.
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When Nana Dances
by Jane Yolen
Nana shimmies, bops, taps, and twirls her way to a shindig with her grandchildren, who love dancing with their grandmother.
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Dino Pajama Party: A Bedtime Book
by Laurie Wallmark
Much like us, dinosaurs love to have fun. Dinosaurs from all around gather together to play instruments, dance, and sing before bedtime. But soon the dinosaurs grow tired and need their rest.
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Bunheads
by Misty Copeland
Fascinated by a production of Coppélia, young Misty enrolls in ballet classes and finds support and encouragement from fellow dancers who become teammates in what becomes a show to remember.
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The Snow Dancer
by Addie K. Boswell
Young dancer Sofia wakes up to a quiet, white world--it's a snow day! She makes her way outside to the neighborhood park, where a field awaits her, white and shining and open. It isn't long before the rest of the neighborhood wakes its sleepy head-and the other kids make their way to the park, scattering all of Sofia's beautiful silence. But with the help of a new young friend, Sofia is ready to show everyone what a snow dancer can do on a perfect day like this.
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Monster Boogie
by Laurie Berkner
Presents a simple song about monsters and how they like to dance.
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Angelina's Big City Ballet
by Katharine Holabird
Looking forward to performing a fairy ballet during a visit to the Big Cheese city, Angelina struggles to find common ground with her tap-dancing cousin, Jeanie.
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Boys Dance
by John Robert Allman
Illustrations and rhyming text celebrate boys who dance, from their very first day of stretching at the barre while dreaming of the exciting roles they might one day play.
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Drumbeat In Our Feet
by Patricia A. Keeler
Informative passages and lyrical verse explore the history and rhythmic qualities of traditional African dance as performed long ago and today
This title can be found in the Easy Nonfiction section of the library.
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Ready to Fly: How Sylvia Townsend Became the Bookmobile Ballerina
by Lea Lyon
A picture book inspired by the early life of African American dancer Sylvia Townsend describes the limited opportunities that compelled her to use books from her hometown’s bookmobile to teach herself classical ballet.
This title can be found in the Easy Nonfiction section of the library.
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Diana Dances
by Luciano Lozano
Diana is restless and can't sit still in class. She's having trouble with math, and her mother is worried. But when she takes Diana to see a doctor, they discover that there's nothing wrong with Diana--she just loves to dance.
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Pearl Goes to Preschool
by Julie Fortenberry
A talented young dancer who loves attending classes at her mother’s ballet school asks nervous questions about what preschool will be like and whether or not she will be able to dance there, in a relatable story for new students struggling with separation anxiety.
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How Do You Dance?
by Thyra Heder
People of all different shapes, sizes, and ages demonstrate how they like to dance, but one boy does not want to dance and wants to be left alone.
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