Karen Yother, INFO 683-900

Manning, Maurie. Kitchen Dance, New York: Clarion Books, 2008. Hardback, 978-0-618-99110-5. Ages 3-7 years old.

Tito and his little sister awake late one night to the sound of music and laughter rising up through their home. Quietly they tiptoe down the stairs and into the kitchen to see what is going on. The children watch as their mother and father swing and twirl, sing and laugh their way around the room. When their mother eyes the children peeking through the door they are swept up in the merriment until slowly the children drift off to sleep in their parents’ arms.

Whispering “Como to quiero…” papa carries Tito to bed.

The illustrations are full of life and vivid color; at any moment the reader expects the characters to dance right off the page. Reading the story you can hear the laughter and music rise from the pages with each twirl around the room and swing as “a bright skirt flashes by”. The joy radiates from the parents’ faces leaving the reader with a sense of happiness and comfort. The text is a perfect compliment, describing the dance movements and reinforcing the happiness seen on the faces of the parents. Spanish phrases are woven so naturally into the story that the reader will not skip a beat as they dance from page to page.

Kitchen Dance is a positive example of a Hispanic American family’s nightly ritual of love and laughter. Librarians, parents and anyone who reads with young children will want to share this delightful story. From family-themed story times to music programs in schools and libraries, this book will engage readers and leave them dancing around the room. No matter your skin color, this story speaks to everyone about the joy and love of family. Children will relate to sneaking through the house after they have gone to bed to see what their parents are doing; the anticipation and excitement of what the children will find will pique the interest of young readers. This is a bedtime story that lifts you up, twirls you around, then gently lays you down to sleep.