Book picks similar to
First Ballet by Deanna Caswell


picture-books
ballet
picture-book
poetry

Cats' Night Out


Caroline Stutson - 2010
    The short rhyming text makes it a perfect read-aloud treat, and with vivid illustrations from a breakout DreamWorks animator, readers and listeners alike will be thrilled to see what happens one night on Easy Street when a pair of cats start to groove to the beat.

A Mighty Fine Time Machine


Suzanne Bloom - 2009
    In this instance, an aardvark named Grant and an armadillo named Antoine see its potential for something magnificent: a time machine! Under the supervision of their friend Samantha, an anteater, they cobble together a bunch of thingamabobs and hoozie-doozies to turn the empty box into a marvelous device for traveling through time. Can three adventurers actually turn back the clock? Suzanne Bloom's comical story features three endearing characters with vivid imaginations.

Bea at Ballet


Rachel Isadora - 2012
    Bright, cheerful illustrations show Bea and her class learning the basic positions and movements and show them leaping and twirling to their hearts' delight. Caldecott Honor winner--and former dancer--Rachel Isadora, the creator of Lili at Ballet, introduces young children to the joy of dance and creative expression.

The Sun Shines Everywhere


Mary Ann Hoberman - 2019
    Throughout history, from dinosaurs and ancient Rome to today's bustling playgrounds and cafes, one thing binds us all together: the sun! Beloved author Mary Ann Hoberman weaves together timely themes of valuing diversity, building community, and caring for the environment in this rhyming picture book about how the power of sunshine inspires and unites us all around the world. With joyous art from illustrator Luciano Lozano, this perfect rhyming read-aloud reminds us that all life is precious, and all life shares one sun--and the sun shines everywhere!

Finding Kindness


Deborah Underwood - 2019
    A rhyming story of community, compassion, and generosity of spirit!Kindness is sometimes a cup and a card, or a ladder, a truck, and a tree. A scritch and a cuddle. A rake and a yard.

Baby Dance


Ann Taylor - 1998
    Up to the ceiling, down to the ground, backward and forward, round and round ... All babies love to be lifted, twirled and held in loving arms. Now a rhythmic poem by nineteenth century poet Anne Taylor makes a delightful board book perfect for baby and parent to share. Marjorie van Heerden has captured the energy and joy of this playful text in vivd pastel illustrations full of the soft, gentle motion of dance. For babies who are responding to music and movement, here's a playful poem that has father and child dancing lovingly across the pages.

Clothesline Clues to Sports People Play


Kathryn Heling - 2015
    Catchy rhymes and visual cues introduce young readers to sports in this companion to Clothesline Clues to Jobs People Do. The clues in each lively verse can be spotted hanging from the clotheslines. What athlete wears those items? Turn the page to discover the sport at hand—and the athlete in full gear! From baseball and soccer, to fencing and archery, there's something for everyone—including a surprise ending. A perfect choice for reading aloud and encouraging kids to join in the guessing and reveal. Andy Robert Davies's quirky illustrations build a separate story from the text. Close attention to the details will help young readers build their own storytelling skills and help them make visual connections.

This Is It


Daria Peoples-Riley - 2018
    Soon enough, the young girl finds confidence in her skills, her body, and her ability to shine.The future is in your footsteps.Freedom is in your feet.Put one foot in front of the other,and greet your destiny.

The Fox Went Out on a Chilly Night


Peter Spier - 1961
    In the song, a fox forages for food in the village to bring to his family back in the den. The music is also included so everyone can sing along.

Ballet Cat What's Your Favorite Favorite?


Bob Shea - 2017
    Each is trying to outdo the other--Ballet Cat with an elaborate dance routine (of course), and Goat with his amazing (amazingly lame, that is) magic tricks. Neither act goes off quite as planned, but it doesn't matter . . . because Grandma falls asleep during the performance! Oh well, at least Ballet Cat and Goat learn how to cooperate. (But Ballet Cat cooperates better!)Praise for THE TOTALLY SECRET SECRET: *"This early reader has simple, vivacious cartoon artwork done in inks with digital enhancements. Shea's signature style and bright bold colors add to the fun. Although the text is somewhat sophisticated and the dialogue is entirely in word balloons, the humor and theme of friendship and sharing will have broad appeal beyond the beginning reader set. VERDICT Move over Elephant and Piggie!"--School Library Journal (starred review) *"Tapping into the same barely restrained exuberance and visual energy that characterizes much of his previous work, Shea introduces Ballet Cat, a pearl-and-tutu-wearing feline who loves to dance as much as the author's Dinosaur and Cheetah characters love winning. Like Mo Willems's Elephant and Piggie, these two are a contemporary comic duo with staying power; Shea mines Ballet Cat's dialed-up enthusiasm and Sparkle's hangdog expressions for everything they are worth. Boldly contrasting backgrounds heighten the strong emotions at play and, luckily, after Sparkles reveals his 'secret secret' about dancing, this friendship is undiminished." --Publishers Weekly (starred review)An ALA Notable Book

Mother Goose's Pajama Party


Danna Smith - 2015
    And after they are all tucked in, continue to the back of the book and find a special section with your favorite nursery rhymes.

Have You Seen My New Blue Socks?


Eve Bunting - 2013
    Did I put them in my box?” Simple rhymes—including socks, box, fox, and ox!—spin the tale of a small duck who waddles through the countryside, forlornly searching for his blue socks. “I’m trying not to be depressed. / Without my socks I feel undressed.” Finally, a sharp-eyed peacock sees a bit of blue peeking out of duck’s lace-up shoes and the mini-mystery is solved! Soft-hued, adorable pen-and-ink and watercolor paintings adorn this winsome story that shares the familiar experience of not really losing something after all.

Here Comes the Big, Mean Dust Bunny!


Jan Thomas - 2009
    But this time a big MEAN dust bunny wants to play—and run and chase and grab! Can the four little dust bunnies get that bully to play nice? Jan Thomas’s lovable critters shine again in this hilarious rhyme-filled book that starts with scares and ends with…smiles.

Every Day Birds


Amy Ludwig VanDerwater - 2016
    Every Day Birds helps children identify and learn about common birds. After reading Every Day Birds, families can look out their windows with curiosity--recognizing birds and nests and celebrating the beauty of these creatures! Every Day Birds focuses on twenty North American birds, with a poem and descriptions written by Amy Ludwig VanDerwater and beautiful paper-cuttings by first-time picture book illustrator Dylan Metrano. Interesting facts about each bird are featured in the back of the book.

The Hungry Fox


Kitty Barry - 2014
    He is very, very hungry... He visits different places in search of food... Do you think he will find something to fill his rumbling tummy?