Giant Dance Party

Giant Dance Party by Betsy Bird. Illustrated by Brendan Doorman.
Youth New Books - Lower Level - BIR

Lexy loves to dance, but as the story opens, she’s decided she’s done.  The problem is her stage fright: she turns into an “ice pop” every time she gets on stage.  Nothing she’s tried makes any difference.  In a stroke of brilliance, she decides she’ll be a dance teacher instead, so that she can dance all day without having to go on stage herself.  But the only ones willing to take free dance lessons from a child with stage fright are – a party of giants.  Lexy accomplishes the very difficult task of teaching large, clumsy giants to dance, but then an even bigger problem comes up: helping the giants get over their stage fright when they also turn into ice pops during the recital.  The art is vivid and three-dimensional, shifting between smaller sequential scenes and full spreads.  Lexy is charming with her full dance skirts and perky brown ponytails, but the giants, fuzzy and blue with pink electrical outlet noses, really steal the show.  It’s a fun story with a strong message of overcoming fear and doing what you love. 

I Dare You Not to Yawn

I Dare You Not to Yawn 

By Helene Boudreau

Illustrated by Serge Bloch

Youth New Book Shelves-Lower Level - BOU

First you yawn, and before you know it you've been tucked into bed.  But what if you're not ready to go to bed?  There's more playing to do! Well, then you better not yawn.  This book gives all kinds of tips to hold those yawns inside!  For example, look away if someone else yawns.  Stay away from snuggly things like stuffed animals. Yawns are sneaky, though, so you'll have to be extra careful to avoid them.   

This is an adorable bedtime picture book for children!