Review - How Do You Dance?

How Do You Dance?
by Thyra Heder
Date: 2019
Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 40
Format: e-book
Source: library

A playful picture book that urges readers to bop, bounce, and shake from the author of Fraidyzoo

There are so many ways to dance! You can jiggle or wiggle or stomp. You can bop or bounce or go completely nuts. You can dance at the market or the bus stop, with your fingers or your face. You can dance because you’re happy or even because you’re sad.

But, what’s the best way to dance?

Exactly how you want to!

In How Do You Dance?, author-illustrator Thyra Heder explores dance in all of its creativity, humor, and—most of all—joy, in a picture-book celebration of personal expression that will inspire young and old readers alike to get up and get moving.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This is more of a concept book than a story, but it's still adorable. How Do You Dance? is packed full of dancing humans of all kinds, diverse in size, shape, colour, and ability. There are dancing kids and dancing dads, dancing janitors and dancing construction workers... and even dancing dinosaurs!

The illustrations really make this book. They're so exuberant that they showcase the joy of movement that can be felt all through the pages.

There's no wrong way to dance. Just move and dance the way that makes you happy. That's really what this book is all about.

Quotable moment:

Premise: 4/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 5/5
Originality: 4/5

Enjoyment: 4/5

Overall Rating: 4.17 out of 5 ladybugs

Review - Alfie: (The Turtle That Disappeared)

Alfie: (The Turtle That Disappeared)
by Thyra Heder
Date: 2017
Publisher: Abrams Books for Young Readers
Reading level: C
Book type: picture book
Pages: 48
Format: e-book
Source: library

Nia loves Alfie, her pet turtle. But he’s not very soft, he doesn’t do tricks, and he’s pretty quiet. Sometimes she forgets he’s even there! That is until the night before Nia’s seventh birthday, when Alfie disappears! Then, in an innovative switch in point of view, we hear Alfie’s side of the story. He didn’t leave Nia—he’s actually searching for the perfect birthday present for his dear friend. Can he find a gift and make it back in time for the big birthday party?

From the author-illustrator of Fraidyzoo and The Bear Report comes a warm and funny ode to friendship—even when the friends see the relationship, and the world, very differently.

(synopsis from Goodreads)

This book, told in two parts, is just adorable. The illustrations are perfect and tie the narrative into a cohesive whole, and there's a pretty good story, too. I loved Alfie's point of view.

I've read a few picture books about pets lately that haven't exactly put the pets or their owners in a very good light. But in this case, Alfie and Nia are both so sweet, and their friendship is wonderful. After seeing all the trouble Alfie went to in order to find the perfect present, you can't help but be impressed... and rather amused, when you see the twist at the end.

This would be a great addition to any picture book collection, especially for someone who likes books about animals (the dog and the snail are great characters in this book, too). I'd definitely recommend this one!

Quotable moment:

Premise: 5/5
Meter: n/a
Writing: 4/5
Illustrations: 5/5
Originality: 5/5

Enjoyment: 5/5

Overall: 4.83 out of 5