Cynthia Rae Miller, MOT, OTR/L
Official Website of Children's Book
Dancing Daddy
What shoes should Daddy wear to the party?
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Daddy receives an invitation to a fancy party. He has a black tie, but he’s having trouble deciding which shoes to wear with his dress-up clothes. Daddy uses a variety of dances to help him determine what color shoes are best to wear to the party. He gets out his blue shoes and tries the Patty Cake Polka. That doesn’t work. He puts on his yellow shoes and does the Chicken Dance. His shoes fall off. He tries red shoes and attempts the Mexican Hat Dance, and still, it’s just not quite right. What shoes will daddy wear to the dance?
Dancing Daddy is an early reader for children, ages 1-7 years old, offering a whimsical story for children to learn their colors, practice counting, become familiar with a variety of dances, and apply problem-solving techniques. Children learn reading is fun and can't wait to see which pair of shoes Daddy chooses.
This book captures and holds the attention of young readers utilizing familiarity of children's dance. Children will enjoy reading Dancing Daddy over and over again.
RESOURCES
Here are a few of the many links to articles highlighting the importance of reading to your child at an early age.
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/infant-reading-aloud-young-children-benefits-brain-development/
http://time.com/3836428/reading-to-children-brain/
http://www.parents.com/baby/development/intellectual/age-by-age-guide-to-reading-to-your-baby/
https://www.raisesmartkid.com/all-ages/1-articles/14-the-benefits-of-reading-to-your-child
http://www.nea.org/grants/facts-about-childrens-literacy.html
http://www.education.vic.gov.au/documents/about/research/readtoyoungchild.pdf
https://www.aap.org/en-us/Documents/booksbuildconnections_whyitisnevertooearlytoreadtoyourbaby.pdf
BIO
Cynthia Rae Miller is the mother of two young adults. When they were little she enjoyed reading books to them. She hopes this story and future stories will capture and hold the attention of your children as they begin their journey into the world of reading.
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Cynthia lives with her family in Maryland and works as an Occupational Therapist. She enjoys tennis, gardening, scrapbooking, travel, and taking care of her children's dogs.
Kirkus Review 2021
A daddy longlegs tries on different colored shoes to prepare for a party in this illustrated children’s book.
Daddy is thrilled when he receives an invitation to a “Black tie” party and wonders what shoes he should wear. The orange and brown, blue-eyed spider heads to his closet to assess his options. He tries on various types of shoes, but none of them stay on his eight feet when he tries to dance. For example, his yellow shoes fall off during the Chicken Dance as he tries to “flap his front legs” because he does not have arms. Daddy says, “Well, that won’t do.” He tries on other footwear, including purple shoes for the Hokeypokey, pink shoes for ballet, and brown shoes for square dances. But none of them stay snug on his feet. Finally, Daddy tries tap-dancing in his black shoes. He “did a toe tap. Tap, tap, tap....He did a shuffle. Brush, tap, brush, tap.” The spider is delighted that his tap shoes stay on his feet and looks forward to attending the party. The following pages include repeated illustrations of Daddy wearing his different colored shoes. The text asks readers: “Do you remember what dance Daddy was doing while wearing these shoes?” The story also includes useful learning elements. Miller, an occupational therapist, integrates tools like color recognition, recollection skills, and “cueing” for young readers and adults. In addition, the book utilizes repetitive phrasing (“He put on all of his right shoes. One, two, three, four. Then he put on all of his left shoes. One, two, three, four”). The computerized, graphic, uncredited images are simple but purposeful. Readers will enjoy the sweet-looking protagonist’s thematic outfits; he dons a tutu for a ballet and a tuxedo for tap-dancing. Some scenes include related background details, like a vase of green clovers when Daddy practices the Irish jig. Backdrops and some key words (First, Second) correspond to the spider’s bright footwear.
Featuring elements that emphasize comprehension skills, this fun tale is an ideal read-aloud choice.
Pub Date: Sept. 14, 2018
ISBN: 978-1-4897-1924-9
Page Count: 60
Publisher: LifeRichPublishing
Review Posted Online: Oct. 21, 2021
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2021
Review Program: KIRKUS INDIE
Categories: CHILDREN'S ANIMALS | CHILDREN'S HEALTH & DAILY LIVING | CHILDREN'S GENERAL CHILDREN'S