Stomp, Wiggle, Clap, and Tap: My First Book of Dance

by Rachelle Burk

Shake, rattle, and roll with this fun dance book for toddlers

Toddlers are natural dancers and they love to move! Channel toddlers’ energy and help them develop balance, coordination, and control with the help of this engaging choice in dance books for toddlers. Moving along with the story will help stimulate little brains and provide a fun, creative way to build spatial awareness. Tons of colorful pictures offer toddlers visual clues for the movements, and rhyming words make reading aloud feel like music!

Movement and motor skills―Little ones will begin by isolating individual body parts, like their hands, hips, arms, and toes.
Dynamic dancing―Toddlers will harness their imagination to dance the prancing pony, flapping chicken, and twirling pinwheel.
Keep the fun going―Explore a list of online dance videos and resources to help them keep moving and developing even when the book is finished.
Set the stage for an active childhood with this standout in toddler books!

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Storytime

50 pages, Paperback

Published June 1, 2021

Reviews

[Laurie Wallmark · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book to get toddlers up and moving. Kids will have fun following the dance movements of the children in this book. And who knows? Maybe they'll even make up some moves of their own. This book makes a great present for your child, grandchild, or any little one in your life.

[Lisa M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book because I am the grandmother of three toddlers and am always on the lookout for something new to read to them. Also, as a retired elementary school teacher (32+ years), I instantly saw that this book would be perfect for young children. Ms. Burk's book is wonderful! The book itself is instructive and fun. Aside from the movement and dance, there are also stretches the children can do. It's a great way to introduce yoga at an early age. Even though the directions are concise, they are still sprinkled with imagination and role-playing for the children. It made it impossible for kids to listen and not want to move along with the story. I also loved the illustrations (Alyssa De Asis) which were colorful, beautifully showed diversity in the children, and wonderfully complemented Ms. Burk's marvelous words. The teacher in me appreciated the "Note to Caregivers" that preceded the story. I especially loved that she addressed the fact that these movements could be adapted for children with physical or developmental disabilities ( Thank you, Ms. Burk ). The "Resources" section at the end of the book listed additional videos and websites which would compliment the book as well. I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone who has or teaches young children!!!!

[TammyJo Eckhart · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is supposed to be an introduction to dance for little kids and to also just get them comfortable with moving their bodies. As the adult or older child, you need to read this book before you use it with your kid because it isn't a story. It is a set of exercises and prompts to movement. I really wish it was laid out that way more clearly, too, because it looks like it is as story book when it is not at all.

The movements are often vague yet some are more specific. I thought it would increase in specificity and build to learning certain dance moves or steps or perhaps even a dance. However, that wasn't the case; saying "cha cha cha" is not doing the cha cha cha. I also wish the book included more suggestions for the type of music to use for each movement exercise.

However, it can still be a fun way to get kids moving though I think years of dance myself helped me use the book and I worry that it might not work as well for a non-dance parent or caregiver.

[Eva Pell · Rating 5 out of 5]

The publishers of Stomp, Wiggle, Clap and Tap by Rachelle Burk sent me an advanced reader copy of the book, and I am so glad they did. If you want a book for your toddler that he or she will want you to read over and over again, you need to get this book. Your child will be compelled to dance as you turn each page. And with every verse your child will learn something — the nature of different movements, numbers of fingers and toes, distinguishing left from right, animal moves and more. The illustrations by Alissa De Asis pop with enthusiasm as the children in the book reflect the diversity of people everywhere, with something critical in common—the joy of movement as a mirror of their lives. Eva J. Pell, Childrens Author

[(a)lyss(a) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this item through the Amazon Vine program in exchange for an honest review.

This is a cute book!

There's a nice introduction for caregivers that talks about how the book starts with getting individual body parts moving and putting them together to help kids get their wiggles out and dance. It's a cute book with great drawings! Fun for young kids that want to move along with the characters.

Overall a great find!

[Amalia Hoffman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a most adorable book with cheerful illustrations perfect for little dancers.
The book includes a note for caregivers about dance, being one of the earliest forms of communication and how toddlers can benefit from dancing.
The author also includes very helpful list of resources, such as video, website’s, songs and more.
Your toddler will love this one!

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

What fun! And whew - what a work out! I think most little ones enjoy dancing and this book gives them lots of opportunities to move around and also reinforce basic concepts like counting and different body parts. And there is lots of make believe and pretend included like how to be animals and trees and other fun things.
A good wake up book to get everyone moving!

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book that helps you (and children) visualize animals, instruments, concepts, and more. The rhymes are naturally catchy and the illustrations are adorable. The end of the book has multiple resources for additional learning and activities. I need more friends with toddlers because I'll be buying this one again!

[L.B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This makes for a great action book when reading to young children! My only complaint is that it is a bit too long for really young children (despite what you would imagine with the easy and short sentence structure and illustrations). I loved that at the end I could say, "And now you can take your seat," and it matched the flow, rhythm and rhyme in the book perfectly.

[CQ Kendall · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm still working my way into this one, but have recently started to really enjoy following along with the actions in the book. The pictures have always engaged me. However, where I once found them a bit too much, I now love pointing and learning about them. I like this book now and can see growing to love it as I grow.

[Aolund · Rating 4 out of 5]

An effective, rhyming, interactive dance picture book. While too long and complex (in terms of motions) for most storytimes, I think this would be super fun to use in a classroom setting-- read repeatedly, kids would start to remember the actions and do them along with the book.

Themes: Dance, Movement
Age range: Preschool-First grade

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lively book that introduces dance to toddlers. It encourages activity and exploration. The bright Illustrations work well in setting a fun tone that makes you g readers want to follow along. I was sent an advanced copy of this and read it to my nephew! He was spinning and dancing in no time!

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The rhyming text encourages toddlers to practice moving their bodies in a variety of ways. The illustrations are very cute. However, this might be best as an audiobook if each page had different music or sounds that fit that page’s dance moves.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of movement words for your preschooler to follow along with. A diverse group of children are illustrated doing the dance moves.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun book for toddlers and even for young children beginning dance lessons. The fun rhythm and rhyme keeps the beat!

[Cecile · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun because you and your child can move to the descriptions. The pirate hat is what ruined it for me. 3.9

[April · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute ways to move

There are so many ways to dance. Cute book with cute illustrations to show you the ropes. Dancing is a great way to express yourself.

[Terresa Wellborn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent movement book to either share in storytimes or browse for new movement ideas to do with littles.

Themes: dance & movement
Age: toddler-1st grade+
Pub year: 2021

[Eric Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

The art is cute and fun and I love that the goal is to get moving! The writing itself is a bit meh but you can’t have it all.

[Carm · Rating 5 out of 5]

We really like this book! It was great for introducing new dance styles and terms to my kiddos. My only critique is that it is quite long. It will be better for a 3-4 year old I believe.

[Virginia · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book, great resource

[Danielle Jernigan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did my toddler follow along? No. Did it give him a menu of commands to make mama dance? Why, yes! He rates it 5/5 stars.