Earthdance

by Joanne Ryder, Norman Gorbaty (Illustrator)

In dynamic words and dramatic pictures, Earthdance invites young readers to become not just part of the earth, but Earth itself.

Genres: Picture Books, Poetry, Childrens, Nonfiction, Juvenile, Earth, Nature

32 pages, Hardcover

Published April 15, 1996

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

[Judy Lindow · Rating 1 out of 5]

Well first kinder class - older kids at TK level - that were pretty wild possibly because they had a sub the day before, and also I suspect they have a first year teacher - almost shut this book down. It's only a few minutes read - but they complained about the pictures and one outspoken child said it was boring. I'll try it out one more time.

Today I have a high level, K-1 class, which is usually pretty focussed, can discuss, etc.
This 2nd class thought it was boring, too. One student said it was "messy". One girl said it wasn't about "earth dance' and I have to agree with her. I never really felt the joy of "dance" in the book. The kids actually wrote why they didn't like it with a couple of sentences and tallied the votes. Sorry.

I'm always on the look out for books that will start kids thinking about what it means to be a steward of the environment, animals, and our resources. There was no clear message in this book - to love the earth, to be full of joy, to take care of it, etc. Just imaging you are the earth with no appeal for empathy or focus is pretty passé.

[Christina Hyde · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very different from what I thought it would be. Earth dance takes you on a descriptive journey from the very foundations of our planet to the animals, rivers, and people that make up our home.

What makes the literary elements of this book interesting is that the book is written in first person, you the reader are planet Earth. For example, "Your whisper is a breeze murmuring through the reeds," explains the winds and "wiggle your shoulders and mountains tremble and quake" describes earthquakes and volcanoes.

Another interesting aspect of the text is that the text is part of the illustrations. The text angles around the pictures to show the the textures of the grass or ocean. The word "cracking" is literally cracking to show the breaking up of the ice glaciers.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imagine you are the Earth. You are covered with woods and seas, roads and villages, small creatures and laughing children. Imagine you are home to everyone and everything, the precious place we all know and love best (from the jacket)

Poem with nifty illustrations.

[Maeve · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author invites the reader to imagine themselves as Earth.

[☁︎ ☾ ｡⋆ morgan ⋆｡☽ ☁︎ · Rating 3 out of 5]

a colorful, imaginative picture book that uses poetry to describe the joys and whimsies of Earth! very descriptive with funky illustrations :)

[Relyn · Rating 1 out of 5]

Yuck. Our excellent school librarian ordered this for me when I read in a teaching resource book that this one would be great for teaching writing. I appreciate her doing it, but ICK what a book. The idea is that the book is written from the Earth's perspective. But, the prose reads as overblown and the artwork is icky. It reminds me of a book they would have read to us in the 70s in elementary school on Earth day.

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful pictures and poetic text lend to a great description of Earth. Particularly moving for Earth Day, this book helps a child to relate to and almost feel like Mother Earth in order to have compassion for this planet we call home.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

The artwork in this book delights the eye, and really challenged the artist within. My kids loved the book when they were younger, and now that they are older they enjoy the artwork more so.

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

Guided imagery while exercising the imagination. The illustrations are cheerful and supportive of the poetry.

[Katie Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read at Tales for Fours and Fives on 6/16/11: http://storytimesecrets.blogspot.com/...

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Earthdance
Ryder, Joanne
" a poem about the earth and all that it is and does and moves as it is the center of our world
reads better with the kids eyes closed."

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty story about taking care of Mother Earth through the teaching of similes and metaphorical statements. I used this book in class to teach all similes and metaphors.

[MJ]

Stories in Rhyme?

[Bree · Rating 1 out of 5]

Notes:
huh??
what's interesting about imagining you are the earth???
weird

[Janet Squires · Rating 4 out of 5]

This poem and the vibrant illustrations invite the reader to become one with our amazing planet.

[Buxmont Uu]

Experiences with the Web of Life Intro
CC 3