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Performing Arts
119 Reviews
(3)
K-3
Follow four boys as they rehearse for the National Dance Institute of New Mexico's multi-school literature-themed recital. Ancona shows the joy, as well as the hard work, discipline, and strength of this art form. Large color photos of the boys at practice and in costume closely follow the brief, factual narrative. A great (and refreshing) introductory photo-essay about male dancers.
Reviewer: Amy Seto Forrester
(3)
YA
Hip-Hop Insider series.
This title, ideal for student research, explores hip-hop dance in historical, political, and cultural context. The clean layout employs a large font, wide margins, plentiful color photos, and informative sidebars. Overall, this series celebrates hip-hop as the voice of urban and marginalized populations while also objectively addressing concerns such as commercialization. Reading list, timeline. Bib., glos., ind.
Reviewer: Amy Seto Forrester
Harbo, Christopher L.
Sock Puppet Theater Presents "Little Red Riding Hood": A Make and Play Production
(3)
K-3
Dabble Lab: Sock Puppet Theater series.
After a quick summary of the source material, each book instructs children in making sock puppet characters and props and also provides a script (with a few contemporary touches) for putting on a play of the folktale. Material about staging, voices, and extending the stories into original scripts (reusing the same puppets) adds to the fun. Illustrated with clear color photos. Reading list. Glos. Review covers these Dabble Lab: Sock Puppet Theater titles: Sock Puppet Theater Presents "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" and Sock Puppet Theater Presents "Little Red Riding Hood".
Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt
Harbo, Christopher L.
Sock Puppet Theater Presents "Goldilocks and the Three Bears": A Make and Play Production
(3)
K-3
Dabble Lab: Sock Puppet Theater series.
After a quick summary of the source material, each book instructs children in making sock puppet characters and props and also provides a script (with a few contemporary touches) for putting on a play of the folktale. Material about staging, voices, and extending the stories into original scripts (reusing the same puppets) adds to the fun. Illustrated with clear color photos. Reading list. Glos. Review covers these Dabble Lab: Sock Puppet Theater titles: Sock Puppet Theater Presents "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" and Sock Puppet Theater Presents "Little Red Riding Hood".
Reviewer: Melinda Greenblatt
(4)
4-6
Snap Books: Top Sports Tips series.
This volume focuses on the ins and outs of types of dance, from "the basics" to specific training techniques to advice about taking one's skills "to the next level." The text is upbeat, if occasionally vague, with select (bolded) vocabulary words defined at the bottom of the page. "Tip" sidebars appear throughout. The many photographs mainly show young women. Reading list. Glos., ind.
Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz
(3)
4-6
Writing and Staging Plays series.
The series imparts a decent variety of information and focuses on producing one's own plays rather than analyzing professional productions. Touching on writing (e.g., characterization, dialogue) and production aspects (casting, lighting), the texts address young playwrights as well as directors and other theater roles. The clean page design includes informative sidebars, photos, and case studies; improv games appended. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Writing and Staging Plays titles: Writing and Staging Funny Plays[cf1 and Writing and Staging Real-Life Plays.
Reviewer: Jeannie Coutant
(3)
4-6
Writing and Staging Plays series.
The series imparts a decent variety of information and focuses on producing one's own plays rather than analyzing professional productions. Touching on writing (e.g., characterization, dialogue) and production aspects (casting, lighting), the texts address young playwrights as well as directors and other theater roles. The clean page design includes informative sidebars, photos, and case studies; improv games appended. Reading list. Glos., ind. Review covers the following Writing and Staging Plays titles: Writing and Staging Funny Plays[cf1 and Writing and Staging Real-Life Plays.
Reviewer: Jeannie Coutant
(3)
4-6
Illustrated by
MinaLima.
British Magizoologist Newt Scamander arrives in 1926 New York with a leather case full of magical beasts that get loose in the city; a sinister magical figure also emerges. The inclusion of stage directions from this 2016 film's screenplay offers further insight into characters' actions. Black-and-white decorative embellishments, some of magical creatures, provide a helpful pause between scenes. A cast and crew list is appended. Glos.
Reviewer: Cynthia K. Ritter
(3)
4-6
Play by Jack Thorne. This "Special Rehearsal Edition Script" of the 2016 London play includes stage directions and original cast list. Harry's adolescent son Albus and best friend Scorpius Malfoy embark on a mission (using an illegal Time-Turner) to right wrongs in Harry's past. The play is most successful with its characters, indulging the audience's desire to revisit old friends while introducing a new generation of wizards.
Reviewer: Shoshana Flax
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
November, 2016
(4)
4-6
How to Be... series.
Aspiring actors can work on improvisation, character development, costuming, and makeup; would-be circus performers can practice such activities as juggling, plate spinning, and clowning. Both books include step-by-step pictures and diagrams for eight activities. The approach is random, but the volumes may spark beginners' interest. Websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these How to Be... titles: An Actor and A Circus Star.
Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee
(4)
4-6
How to Be... series.
Aspiring actors can work on improvisation, character development, costuming, and makeup; would-be circus performers can practice such activities as juggling, plate spinning, and clowning. Both books include step-by-step pictures and diagrams for eight activities. The approach is random, but the volumes may spark beginners' interest. Websites. Glos., ind. Review covers these How to Be... titles: An Actor and A Circus Star.
Reviewer: Cyrisse Jaffee
Barton, Chris
The Nutcracker Comes to America: How Three Ballet-Loving Brothers Created a Holiday Tradition
(2)
4-6
Illustrated by
Cathy Gendron.
Barton's folksy text introduces three Utah brothers, all dancers, who eventually teamed up at the San Francisco Ballet to present the first U.S. production of The Nutcracker, on Christmas Eve 1944. Gendron's art effectively reproduces traditional ballet poses and makes the most of the large trim size. Good for sharing with children after seeing a performance of The Nutcracker.
Reviewer: Lolly Robinson
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
November, 2015
Levinson, Cynthia
Watch Out for Flying Kids!: How Two Circuses, Two Countries, and Nine Kids Confront Conflict and Build Community
(3)
4-6
Levinson presents two youth circuses: St. Louis (MO)'s Circus Harmony--specifically its elite squad, the St. Louis Arches--and Israel's Galilee Circus, notable for inclusion of both Arabs and Jews. In 2007 the Arches traveled to Galilee to promote cross-cultural understanding--and to have fun practicing circus arts. Vivid photographs and straightforward, interview-heavy text paint a hopeful portrait without sugarcoating reality. Ind.
Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz
(4)
K-3
Readers' Theater: How to Put On a Production series.
Illustrated by
Lucy Fleming.
Geared toward third grade and up, this series offers instructions for mounting readers' theater or stage productions of six holiday-themed scripts with stage directions. In each didactic play, students dramatize collaboration and model successful group work. Introductory matter includes how to handle props, rehearsals, crew responsibilities, and more. Teacher guides with more information and tips are available for download on the publisher's website. Review covers these Readers' Theater: How to Put on a Production titles: Fettuccine and Four-Leaf Clovers, Ghosts and Gummy Worms, Groundhogs and Guinea Pigs, Medals and Memorials, Pickles and Parks, and Turkey and Takeout.
Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo
(4)
K-3
Readers' Theater: How to Put On a Production series.
Illustrated by
Nina Mata.
Geared toward third grade and up, this series offers instructions for mounting readers' theater or stage productions of six holiday-themed scripts with stage directions. In each didactic play, students dramatize collaboration and model successful group work. Introductory matter includes how to handle props, rehearsals, crew responsibilities, and more. Teacher guides with more information and tips are available for download on the publisher's website. Review covers these Readers' Theater: How to Put on a Production titles: Fettuccine and Four-Leaf Clovers, Ghosts and Gummy Worms, Groundhogs and Guinea Pigs, Medals and Memorials, Pickles and Parks, and Turkey and Takeout.
Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo
(4)
K-3
Readers' Theater: How to Put On a Production series.
Illustrated by
Nina Mata.
Geared toward third grade and up, this series offers instructions for mounting readers' theater or stage productions of six holiday-themed scripts with stage directions. In each didactic play, students dramatize collaboration and model successful group work. Introductory matter includes how to handle props, rehearsals, crew responsibilities, and more. Teacher guides with more information and tips are available for download on the publisher's website. Review covers these Readers' Theater: How to Put on a Production titles: Fettuccine and Four-Leaf Clovers, Ghosts and Gummy Worms, Groundhogs and Guinea Pigs, Medals and Memorials, Pickles and Parks, and Turkey and Takeout.
Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo
(4)
K-3
Readers' Theater: How to Put On a Production series.
Illustrated by
Lucy Fleming.
Geared toward third grade and up, this series offers instructions for mounting readers' theater or stage productions of six holiday-themed scripts with stage directions. In each didactic play, students dramatize collaboration and model successful group work. Introductory matter includes how to handle props, rehearsals, crew responsibilities, and more. Teacher guides with more information and tips are available for download on the publisher's website. Review covers these Readers' Theater: How to Put on a Production titles: Fettuccine and Four-Leaf Clovers, Ghosts and Gummy Worms, Groundhogs and Guinea Pigs, Medals and Memorials, Pickles and Parks, and Turkey and Takeout.
Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo
(4)
K-3
Readers' Theater: How to Put On a Production series.
Illustrated by
Nina Mata.
Geared toward third grade and up, this series offers instructions for mounting readers' theater or stage productions of six holiday-themed scripts with stage directions. In each didactic play, students dramatize collaboration and model successful group work. Introductory matter includes how to handle props, rehearsals, crew responsibilities, and more. Teacher guides with more information and tips are available for download on the publisher's website. Review covers these Readers' Theater: How to Put on a Production titles: Fettuccine and Four-Leaf Clovers, Ghosts and Gummy Worms, Groundhogs and Guinea Pigs, Medals and Memorials, Pickles and Parks, and Turkey and Takeout.
Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo
(4)
K-3
Readers' Theater: How to Put On a Production series.
Illustrated by
Lucy Fleming.
Geared toward third grade and up, this series offers instructions for mounting readers' theater or stage productions of six holiday-themed scripts with stage directions. In each didactic play, students dramatize collaboration and model successful group work. Introductory matter includes how to handle props, rehearsals, crew responsibilities, and more. Teacher guides with more information and tips are available for download on the publisher's website. Review covers these Readers' Theater: How to Put on a Production titles: Fettuccine and Four-Leaf Clovers, Ghosts and Gummy Worms, Groundhogs and Guinea Pigs, Medals and Memorials, Pickles and Parks, and Turkey and Takeout.
Reviewer: Paula M. Cairo
van der Linde, Laurel
So, You Want to Be a Dancer?: The Ultimate Guide to Exploring the Dance Industry
(3)
4-6
Be What You Want series.
Van der Linde begins with an overview of Western dance styles (emphasizing ballet) and their requirements for professional dancers. The accessible text thoroughly covers backstage logistics, the pros and cons of a dance degree, non-performing careers in the industry (such as dance critic and costumer), and second careers. Interspersed interviews and sidebars add valuable information. Extensive resources appended. Websites. Bib., glos.
Reviewer: Katie Bircher
119 reviews