Tap Dancing

by Lisa Dillman

Tap is a style of percussive dance. This means the dancers wear special shoes with metal taps that make sounds when they touch the floor. The dancers create rhythms with their feet as if they are drumming on the floor. Tap is an unusual dance form because it depends on being heard as well as seen.

32 pages, Library Binding

First published September 1, 2004

Reviews

[John (JP) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book aimed at children who want learn about tap dancing. It has illustrations of basic tap dancing steps.

[Victoria Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lisa Dillman's children's book "Tap Dancing" was one of the most comprehensive texts I've ever read, and used, for beginners of the art form. Interspersed with historical photos and facts about tap the most beneficial sections for me, as a tapper, were the ones explaining how to actually do the steps and the various styles of tap (i.e., Broadway or Chorus Line, Jazz or Rhythmic, Modern, etc.,).
I also loved the full color photos of the children, in the book, demonstrating the warm-ups and steps, because they gave me a visual reference of how tap should look in a dance studio setting. As I tapped along with the photos and instructions these photos also helped me position my feet and body correctly.
The glossary, at the end of the book, and the photos and information about tap's superstars (i.e., Fred Astaire, Bunny Briggs, Sammy Davis, Jr. and Gregory Hines) also added to the literary benefits of the book. Despite its large print and brevity I still feel that "Tap Dancing" contains a lot of information I enjoyed utilizing and will refer to in the future as I continue to explore the dance.