Illus. in full color. "In this affectionate story, three children follow their grandfather up to the attic, where he pulls out his old bowler ...
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reviews
Oct 02, 2011
Curtis
rated it: 
The Song and Dance Man by Karen Ackerman is a fun story told by three grandchildren visiting their grandparents. "When we visit, he tells us about a time before people watched TV, back in the good old days, the song and dance days." The grandfather is very excited that his grandchildren are there to visit and takes them up to the attic. He gets out his old tap shoes and relives his glory days by dancing, singing, and telling jokes for them. The grandchildren love it and it's obvious th
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Sep 04, 2011
Marissa
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The story Song And Dance Man by Karen Ackerman was an easy going and fun one for kids. I enjoyed the illustrations throughout because they were so colorful and vibrant but had a touch to them that made them “not so perfect” but almost like a sketch. I loved the story though because it just goes to show that no matter how old you get, you can always continue doing what you love which is a great message to send to kids. Throughout the entire story it was very evident to me how much the grandfather
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Aug 11, 2011
David
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Song and Dance Man by Karen Ackerman, illustrated by Stephen Gammell is an affectionate, nostalgic, family- centered look at a grandfather who performs some old routines from his Vaudville days as a song and dance man for his grandchildren.
Ackerman's tender story captures that special bond between a grandparent and his grandchildren. Up in the attic, Grandfather pulls out his old bowler hat, tap shoes, a vest, bow tie, gold tipped cane, and top hat. As he glides, taps, and sings, More...
Ackerman's tender story captures that special bond between a grandparent and his grandchildren. Up in the attic, Grandfather pulls out his old bowler hat, tap shoes, a vest, bow tie, gold tipped cane, and top hat. As he glides, taps, and sings, More...
Mar 26, 2010
Josiah
rated it: 
These illustrations by Stephen Gammell certainly are a far cry from his eerily haunting work in Alvin Schwartz's collections of scary stories.
Song and Dance Man is a tender ode to the importance of the lives of the people in our families before we knew them. It can be easy to forget that our grandparents and great-grandparents had lives filled with just as much drama, suspense and excitement as our own, even if it all happened before the day we were born. If we're not sensitively a More...
Song and Dance Man is a tender ode to the importance of the lives of the people in our families before we knew them. It can be easy to forget that our grandparents and great-grandparents had lives filled with just as much drama, suspense and excitement as our own, even if it all happened before the day we were born. If we're not sensitively a More...
Feb 08, 2012
Heather
rated it:
"Grandpa was a song and dance man who once danced on the vaudeville stage." This is the story of a day with grandma and grandpa and sharing the life of which grandpa once had. The grandchildren follow grandpa to the attic where the old tap shoes are kept for safe-keeping. Once dusted off, grandpa puts on a show for his grandchildren and awe's them with his talents.
This book is a really cute story because the grandchildren get to see how impressive their grandfather really i More...
This book is a really cute story because the grandchildren get to see how impressive their grandfather really i More...
Oct 10, 2011
Hannah
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The Song and DAnce Man, written by Karen Ackerman is a lovely little tale of a Grandpa who puts on a show for his Grandchildren. The Grandpa's Grandchildren are extremely excited, when after sifting through an old treasure chest in the attic, the Grandpa finds his old tap shoes. The lights in the attic become spotlight's and the attic soon turns into a stage. He tells antics and tales about when he was young and when he used to dance at the Vaudeville stage. I absolutely love how the Grandfather
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Sep 26, 2011
Madison
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This book was very enjoyable to read. It showed the close relationship of the family members. I think it reminds people of good times with family, like how the grandpa was reminiscing about the dancing in the attic. The grandfather shares memories about when he was a song and dance man. I like how he is sharing important memories in his life with his family. I think the illustrations in the book were wonderful. They were bright and colorful and really made the book come alive. I think Karen Acke
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Sep 07, 2011
Matthew
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Song and Dance Man is a story that recreates the days of when song and dance were the main forms of entertainment. It is a great story, showing that our past always effect who we are in present day, and that our passions should never go away. For me, the best feature of the book were the colors used in the illustrations. It realy allows for the imagination to run wild with the images of vaudeville shows, as well as, sing and dance routines becuase of the numerous colors and strokes in the pictur
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Sep 04, 2011
Karly
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I thought this was a cute book. I think it is good to allow children to realize that there are other things to do besides sitting on the couch and watching television. The kids grandpa really entertains them and makes them laugh until they get the hiccups! The kids have a great time just watching their grandpa rather than watching television. Their grandpa explains that they didn't always have tv so he decided to give them a show to show them that you don't need tv to have a good time! I thought
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Sep 12, 2008
Hayley
rated it:
This delightful Caldecott winner captures the reader with vivid pictures. The slightly exaggerated drawings are oddly relatable with their bright colors and very human features. Done in colored pencil, Gammel brings out the character of the grandpa when he is on the stage by using bright colors. Readers can see the vibrancy and movement of grandpa when he is in the element and the joy on the faces of his grandchildren watching him in the show. There is a marked difference from the grandpa at the
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Aug 29, 2011
Abby
rated it:
Song and Dance Man tells how a grandfather, who once performed on the vaudeville stage, puts on a show for his grandchildren, to show them how it was in the "good old days." It's nostalgic and lovely and sweet, and the sweetness of it nearly brought tears to my eyes. From this story, we can learn that it's good to think of times gone by, but the more important time is now.
At first, I didn't like the illustrations, but by the second page, I was already in love with the old man, so More...
At first, I didn't like the illustrations, but by the second page, I was already in love with the old man, so More...
Feb 09, 2012
Ricky
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Song and Dance Man is about a grandfather who used to be an entertainer as a song and dance man. One day, his grandchildren come over to relive his time as an entertainer. Grandfather puts on a show and finds himself just as young at heart than he used to be when he was a young man.
The colors and drawings immediately drew me to this book. This book was full of colors from the rainbow emotions that portrayed delightful memories.
I would recommend this book to children o More...
The colors and drawings immediately drew me to this book. This book was full of colors from the rainbow emotions that portrayed delightful memories.
I would recommend this book to children o More...
Jan 26, 2011
Kayla
rated it:
Song and Dance Man was a very pleasant book to read and it spoke to me on a personal level. I remember the days when my grandpa used to tell me stories after stories about his lifetime which reminded me a lot of grandpa in the story. The pictures are fabulous and so very detailed. I found the page where grandpa stood at the bottom of the attic stairs and stares up as if he is dreaming and reminiscing about the good ol' days! Awesome, spectacular, wonderful story for children as well as adults!
Jun 06, 2009
Lesley
rated it:
This book remains one of my favorite Caldecott winners. I love the story, which shows a grandfather showing one of his old vaudeville acts to his grandchildren. I love the intergenerational aspect of this story, and the illustrations capture the delight of both the grandchildren and the grandfather. I love the details of the facials expressions, the hair, the wrinkles in the clothing, and the colors in the illustrations add to the enjoyment of the reading experience.
Sep 28, 2011
Matthew
rated it:
I love this story, and maybe it is because I remember it being read to me when I was only a child, but this is a great connection to the vaudville stage shows from another era. It also has a great intergenerational relationship between grandfather and grandchildren that is definitely a positive model for children and families. It contains a few similes that are craftfully woven into the framework of the story and the illustrations are Caldecott worthy. Good book.
Oct 03, 2011
Taylor
rated it:
The story Song and Dance Man shows the connnection of the past and present with a grandpa who shows his grandchildren his act as a song and dance man. the book has very colorful illustrations that really help to show the full affect of the dancing and movement. Grandpa show the children how to have fun and how he used to have fun without modern Tv's and the book really helps to show the connection between the grandfather and his grandchildren.
Apr 14, 2011
Emily
rated it:
Song and Dance Man is a book every child, and adult, should read. It's about learning who your family members were before you knew them and all of the things they can teach you if you only take the time to get to know them. This grandfather takes his grandchildren to the attic to show them all of his costumes and props he used when he was a performer, back before there was tv to watch and all you had to do was sing and dance. A classic.
Jan 07, 2012
Jennifer
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Caldecott winner 1989
Illustrations:
I loved the lines of color added around the illustrations. I could almost feel the same joy as the grandfather through each illustration.
Favorite line:
"He smiles, and whispers that he wouldn't trade a million good old days for the days he spends with us."
-- I can relate to this as a parent! There are aspects of our "old lives" that we reminisce about, but we always come back to cherish most what we have i
Illustrations:
I loved the lines of color added around the illustrations. I could almost feel the same joy as the grandfather through each illustration.
Favorite line:
"He smiles, and whispers that he wouldn't trade a million good old days for the days he spends with us."
-- I can relate to this as a parent! There are aspects of our "old lives" that we reminisce about, but we always come back to cherish most what we have i
Nov 28, 2011
Matt
rated it:
Picture Story Book (Caldecott)
This book was a very sweet and happy story. The story is of some children going to their grandpa's house. When they get there, the grandpa takes the children in to the attic to show them his old tap dancing shoes. He used to be a performer in a theatre and does a performance for the children. I like this story because I can see kids enjoying spending time with a grandfather who is like this. It shows kids that time with the grandparents can be fun and eve More...
This book was a very sweet and happy story. The story is of some children going to their grandpa's house. When they get there, the grandpa takes the children in to the attic to show them his old tap dancing shoes. He used to be a performer in a theatre and does a performance for the children. I like this story because I can see kids enjoying spending time with a grandfather who is like this. It shows kids that time with the grandparents can be fun and eve More...
Sep 04, 2011
Chelsea
rated it:
I think this story is great for getting young minds to use their imaginations. It has a great plot about a young children with their grandpa who shares all of his great stories with them. Many students can relate to this so I think it would be a great book to keep in the classroom. The pictures are all colorful and cartoon like to grab the reader's attention with short sentences on each page to keep the story flowing.
Oct 02, 2011
Kathryn
rated it:
This book was absolutely delightful. This book does a great job incorporating connections between a grandfather and his grandchildren. The grandfather takes his grand kids to the attic, where he pulls out his dance shoes and cane. This shows kids how fun their grandfather really is. The illustrations in this book are wonderful. They are very colorful and lively. The illustrations make the book seem real.
Mar 22, 2009
Dolly
rated it:
A fantastic book that uses charming pencil drawings to create softly illustrated pictures that really enhance the story. A grandfather takes his grandchildren up to the attic to share with them a time before TV, when he was a vaudeville performer. His story is fun, and makes you want to call up your grandparents to have them tell their stories of their youth before they are gone.
Jun 27, 2011
Caldecott Medal Winner Karen Ackerman can make anyone smile with The Song and Dance Man. Three children visit their grandparents and Grandpa shares pieces of his old life with his grandchildren. For the reader, it can bring back happy memories of spending time with grandparents and learning about the past. The Song and Dance Man makes me want to get up and dance.
Oct 31, 2011
lprater
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Caldecott Picture Book:In this heartwarming story, a grandfather transforms his attic into a stage and shares a part of his song and dance past with his grandchildren. As if transported to another time, the grandchildren seems to enjoy this glimpse into how things used to be in a simpler time with a show. The children even "forgot it was Grandpa dancing" as they watched the entertainer shine under the light from the lamp. In the end,the grandfather missed his younger days but loves hi
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Nov 19, 2011
Chinook
rated it:
1988: Song and Dance Man by Karen Ackerman (Scholastic Inc.)
Caldecott Medal Winner
Early Childhood
Grandpa, who was once a Vaudville performer, treats his grandchildren to a song and dance show in the attic. He amazes his grandchildren with jokes, magic tricks, songs and tap dancing, which they think is better than any television show.
Caldecott Medal Winner
Early Childhood
Grandpa, who was once a Vaudville performer, treats his grandchildren to a song and dance show in the attic. He amazes his grandchildren with jokes, magic tricks, songs and tap dancing, which they think is better than any television show.
Mar 28, 2010
The Reading Countess
rated it:
Caldecott Medal
This is a beautiful tale about the memory of a grandfather and his escapades as a "song and dance man" in his yesteryears-told to his grandchildren in the dusty confines of his attic. Children today have a lack of contact with their grandparents, and this book can spring some great conversations about them.
This is a beautiful tale about the memory of a grandfather and his escapades as a "song and dance man" in his yesteryears-told to his grandchildren in the dusty confines of his attic. Children today have a lack of contact with their grandparents, and this book can spring some great conversations about them.
Jan 20, 2010
Grandpa teaches young children that before tv there was just music and dance from back in his day. They go in the attic and find old clothes and all try them on. Later they find that grandpa used to be a magician and he entertains his grandchildren. This is a fantastic book for learning about old times!
Apr 14, 2011
Jose
rated it:
A grandfather father takes his three grand kids upstairs and puts on a show for them reliving a time when he was the song and dance man on vaudeville stage. All the magic happens in the attic where he relives his youth. He dances for them and sings. The grand children enjoyed his performance.
Jan 01, 2011
Caldecott, 1989
TChildren enjoy visiting Grampa who was a song and dance man in old Vaudeville. They climb to the attic, take out a trunk and watch him perform, just for them.
Children are not 'cute'. Bright colors, slanted lines, not rigid. Trunk interesting for children. Much better than TV.
TChildren enjoy visiting Grampa who was a song and dance man in old Vaudeville. They climb to the attic, take out a trunk and watch him perform, just for them.
Children are not 'cute'. Bright colors, slanted lines, not rigid. Trunk interesting for children. Much better than TV.
Nov 15, 2011
Lindsay
rated it:
Picture Book
I loooved this book! Thought it was so cute! It's about a grandfather telling his grandkids about when he used to perform and he pulls out all his costumes and props and he starts performing and turning into the song and dance man he used to be! I think it'd be cute to read this if you're doing a lesson on dancing or songs. The illustrations are bright, kind of looks like colored pencil drawings, very graphic, grandpa looks tired and old on the title page but then comes alive!
I loooved this book! Thought it was so cute! It's about a grandfather telling his grandkids about when he used to perform and he pulls out all his costumes and props and he starts performing and turning into the song and dance man he used to be! I think it'd be cute to read this if you're doing a lesson on dancing or songs. The illustrations are bright, kind of looks like colored pencil drawings, very graphic, grandpa looks tired and old on the title page but then comes alive!
