Dance by the Light of the Moon

by Joanne Ryder, Guy Francis (Illustrator)

Drawn from the chorus of the 1844 song "Buffalo Gals," this energetic picture book, filled with vibrant illustrations, follows a group of farm animals as they prepare to attend a mysterious party, where they all get a sweet surprise!

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Storytime, Music, Childrens

40 pages, Hardcover

First published December 19, 2006

About the author

Joanna Ryder is an award-winning author whose books offer a unique blend of poetry and science. Her innovative Just for a Day series invites children into the world of wild animals, ranging from a sea otter to Tyrannosaurus rex. Ms. Ryder says, "Children know that my books often ask them to imagine being a different creature. So they always ask me which animal I would choose to be. I'd be a flying one, I tell them. Or if I could, I'd wish for wings. And I've discovered children would love wings, too. But which ones to choose? I wrote Rainbow Wings to help us decide." Ms. Ryder lives in Pacific Grove, California.

-taken from www.balkinbuddies.com

Reviews

[Valencia]

Cute story and great illustrations! This story was subtly funny. I really liked it.

[Haley Kilgour]

The rhyming made it fun to read.

[Dallas]

Another Storytime Read

[kelly]

I don't think Liby has loved a book more than this one. I have read it so much since we've borrowed it from our library, that I think I have it memorized. When I asked her why she liked it so much, she said she liked the houses (that the animals live in), and she like the boys...or the gentleman. I think what she likes is the "princess" side of it all. The girls all get dressed up to go to the dance, and the boys come out with flowers for the girls and they are all matched up, and they dance by the light of the moon. It's her first "love story". :O)

[Rebecca]

Five stars for sheer fun. The illustrations are charming and the lyrics are delightful. Sing this book aloud if you can remember the original tune (also found in the back of the book). The kids love it. I can't get away with reading this one once - it's always, "Read it again, Mommy!"

[Katie Fitzgerald]

Read at Pajama Story Time on 9/11/12 and 9/12/12: http://storytimesecrets.blogspot.com/...

Read at preschool story time on 3/22/13: http://storytimesecrets.blogspot.com/...

[Theresa]

Dance by the Light of the Moon
Ryder, Joanne
a great story song connection easy learner text and the book ends show the song, the story reinforces rhyme. and expands vocabulary

[Karen]

This book is a fun re-imagining of the song Buffalo Gals, and the illustrations are delightful.

[Christine Grant]

Just okay. The kids weren't entranced, but the illustrations are nice. It's the story that is lacking.