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Skydance
A young child wonders about the skies, fantasizing about the possibility of other life far away in the universe
31 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 1981
1 person want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Swados
61 books4 followersElizabeth Swados (February 5, 1951 – January 5, 2016) was an American writer, composer, musician and theatre director. While some of her subject matter is humorous, such as her satirical look at Ronald Reagan (Rap Master Ronnie) and Doonesbury — both collaborations with Garry Trudeau — much of her work deals with darker issues such as racism, murder and mental illness.
Born February 5, 1951 in Buffalo, New York, Swados wrote about her life in her 1991 autobiography, The Four of Us, A Family Memoir, published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
Her father, Robert O. Swados, was a successful attorney who helped Seymour H. Knox III convert the local Buffalo Sabres hockey club into a full National Hockey League team. His autobiography, Counsel in the Crease: A Big League Player in the Hockey Wars was published by Prometheus Books in 2005.
Her mother struggled with depression, while her older brother (and only sibling) Lincoln developed schizophrenia. Her mother committed suicide in 1974, and Lincoln died in 1989. Swados suffered from depression, a condition she discussed in her book, My Depression: A Picture Book.
She studied music at Bennington College in Vermont, receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1973. In 1980, the Hobart and William Smith College awarded her an honorary doctorate in Humane Letters.
Swados died from complications following surgery for esophageal cancer on January 5, 2016. She was 64.
(from Wikipedia)
Born February 5, 1951 in Buffalo, New York, Swados wrote about her life in her 1991 autobiography, The Four of Us, A Family Memoir, published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
Her father, Robert O. Swados, was a successful attorney who helped Seymour H. Knox III convert the local Buffalo Sabres hockey club into a full National Hockey League team. His autobiography, Counsel in the Crease: A Big League Player in the Hockey Wars was published by Prometheus Books in 2005.
Her mother struggled with depression, while her older brother (and only sibling) Lincoln developed schizophrenia. Her mother committed suicide in 1974, and Lincoln died in 1989. Swados suffered from depression, a condition she discussed in her book, My Depression: A Picture Book.
She studied music at Bennington College in Vermont, receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1973. In 1980, the Hobart and William Smith College awarded her an honorary doctorate in Humane Letters.
Swados died from complications following surgery for esophageal cancer on January 5, 2016. She was 64.
(from Wikipedia)
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
April 25, 2023
The short film, Sky Dance, which released in 1981, was said to be a celebration of animation and jazz music as it portrayed a playful meeting of life in space. This book brings the artistic animation into picture book form, while adding a poetic flair.
I did take a peek at the original film when diving into this book, which isn't necessary in order to enjoy the read but does bring some insight for an adult reader. The poetry/text added to the book is very well done. It sets a positive atmosphere and is interesting as well as fun to read. There are a few repeated phrases, which will get listeners to join in a tiny bit, and the entire thing as a playful touch. The vocabulary is well fit for the intended age group and slides right in with the illustrations. It's a nicely done read.
The illustrations reflect excerpts from the film, which is also the purpose of this read. These will be a question of taste. They take a modern and very artistic direction. I thought they were interesting, but my kids said they weren't their thing. So, that side will have to be decided from reader to reader. I do, however, see this as a great way to introduce young audiences to a more time orientated direction in the art world. It'd make a nice read for groups, classrooms, or homeschoolers before jumping into a new art theme and will inspire them to make creations of their own. I received a complimentary copy and enjoyed the atmosphere.
I did take a peek at the original film when diving into this book, which isn't necessary in order to enjoy the read but does bring some insight for an adult reader. The poetry/text added to the book is very well done. It sets a positive atmosphere and is interesting as well as fun to read. There are a few repeated phrases, which will get listeners to join in a tiny bit, and the entire thing as a playful touch. The vocabulary is well fit for the intended age group and slides right in with the illustrations. It's a nicely done read.
The illustrations reflect excerpts from the film, which is also the purpose of this read. These will be a question of taste. They take a modern and very artistic direction. I thought they were interesting, but my kids said they weren't their thing. So, that side will have to be decided from reader to reader. I do, however, see this as a great way to introduce young audiences to a more time orientated direction in the art world. It'd make a nice read for groups, classrooms, or homeschoolers before jumping into a new art theme and will inspire them to make creations of their own. I received a complimentary copy and enjoyed the atmosphere.
Displaying 1 of 1 review