What do you think?
Rate this book
Footloose
Have a rockin' time introducing children to Footloose, rewritten for children by the one and only Kenny Loggins himself. Features a bonus CD with the new children's "Footloose," performed by Kenny Loggins.
Time to cut loose! Have a rockin' time introducing children to the fun of Footloose, rewritten for children by the one and only Kenny Loggins. As a zookeeper named Jack joins the zoo animals in an all-night dance party, this new original story from Loggins is sure to get your feet moving. Little ones will love the cast of characters, including the rockin' chimp Louise ("Geez, Louise"), Mister DJ Elephant, the lemur Marie ("Oo Wee, Marie"), Milo the wombat, Luke the funkiest cat in the zoo, and so many more rocking, bopping, boogeying, tangoing, shaking, rattling and rolling animals!
To add to the fun, the book includes a CD with new recordings by Kenny Loggins. Kids and parents can sing along to the classic hit with new lyrics, as well as a three-song medley families will love.
Time to cut loose! Have a rockin' time introducing children to the fun of Footloose, rewritten for children by the one and only Kenny Loggins. As a zookeeper named Jack joins the zoo animals in an all-night dance party, this new original story from Loggins is sure to get your feet moving. Little ones will love the cast of characters, including the rockin' chimp Louise ("Geez, Louise"), Mister DJ Elephant, the lemur Marie ("Oo Wee, Marie"), Milo the wombat, Luke the funkiest cat in the zoo, and so many more rocking, bopping, boogeying, tangoing, shaking, rattling and rolling animals!
To add to the fun, the book includes a CD with new recordings by Kenny Loggins. Kids and parents can sing along to the classic hit with new lyrics, as well as a three-song medley families will love.
28 pages, Hardcover
First published October 11, 2016
2 people are currently reading
581 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
December 8, 2019
Using his hit 80s song Footloose as a starting point, singer Kenny Loggins rewrites his popular tune for children in this picture-book, setting his tale in a zoo at night, as the animal residents boogie down. His text is accompanied by colorful artwork from illustrator Tim Bowers, depicting the various animals in their zany nighttime gyrations, while a CD with Loggins performing the new version of the song is also included.
I had a fairly lukewarm reaction to Footloose, but I upped my initial rating (two stars) in acknowledgement of the fact that I'm probably just not the right audience for it. I've never seen the movie Footloose (hard to believe, in a child of the 1980s!), nor am I a particular fan of the original song, although I am familiar with it. That said, I would imagine that some children will enjoy this story/song in its own right, and will appreciate the madcap animal antics. I didn't have a chance to listen to the accompanying CD, so that may have affected my reaction as well. Recommended to parents who are Kenny Loggins fans, and are looking to introduce their children to his work.
I had a fairly lukewarm reaction to Footloose, but I upped my initial rating (two stars) in acknowledgement of the fact that I'm probably just not the right audience for it. I've never seen the movie Footloose (hard to believe, in a child of the 1980s!), nor am I a particular fan of the original song, although I am familiar with it. That said, I would imagine that some children will enjoy this story/song in its own right, and will appreciate the madcap animal antics. I didn't have a chance to listen to the accompanying CD, so that may have affected my reaction as well. Recommended to parents who are Kenny Loggins fans, and are looking to introduce their children to his work.
April 19, 2017
Years ago, Carly Simon, one of my music idols, wrote a dreadful book called "Amy the Dancing Bear." It was another book in a long line of celebrity books proving that no matter your talent, writing children's books requires a different skill set than those needed to write a great song.
So here is another of my idols, Kenny Loggins, and he's taken his own hit "Footloose," turned the characters into animals, and turned it into a party at the zoo. Great, right?
WRONG!
If you listen to the accompanying CD, you can hear Loggins, a skilled musician, FITTING his words to the tune, and even he has to work at it at times. Read aloud without singing, it is truly dreadful.
I used the original song at a Noon Year's Eve party and had 300 people from parents to babies dancing and grooving. It's a great song, just as it is, and I'm sorry I bought this book.
Kenny. I love your albums,both the grownup music, and the great kids music. But please stick to singing next time and leave picture books to the picture book writers.
P.S. I'd remove an extra star if I could for Loggin's son having the insanity to name his daughter "Phifer," and if it's because it's a family name that's no excuse. What an awful thing to do to a kid! However, one star is as low as I can go here.
So here is another of my idols, Kenny Loggins, and he's taken his own hit "Footloose," turned the characters into animals, and turned it into a party at the zoo. Great, right?
WRONG!
If you listen to the accompanying CD, you can hear Loggins, a skilled musician, FITTING his words to the tune, and even he has to work at it at times. Read aloud without singing, it is truly dreadful.
I used the original song at a Noon Year's Eve party and had 300 people from parents to babies dancing and grooving. It's a great song, just as it is, and I'm sorry I bought this book.
Kenny. I love your albums,both the grownup music, and the great kids music. But please stick to singing next time and leave picture books to the picture book writers.
P.S. I'd remove an extra star if I could for Loggin's son having the insanity to name his daughter "Phifer," and if it's because it's a family name that's no excuse. What an awful thing to do to a kid! However, one star is as low as I can go here.
September 24, 2018
“Everybody’s gotta cut loose.. Footloose!!”
This would have to be one of the funkiest picture books I’ve ever read!!!
Who remembers “Footloose” by Kenny Loggins in the 80’s?? Well on October 26, the kids corner of bookstores will be hit with this amazing picture book where the No.1 hit Footloose has been re-written for children!!
Beautifully illustrated by Tim Bowers, this visual feast of a story is set in a zoo where animals wait for all the visitors to go home so they can then.. cut loose.. footloose!!! It’s such a fun read as it comes with a bonus cd, what I like to call a “Footloose” revival!! Singer Kenny Loggins re-sings “Footloose” and readers can read/sing along as the lyrics tell the story throughout the picture book.. You meet some awesome characters like Louise – the rocking chimp.. DJ Elephant and Milo the Wombat.. Don’t think I’ve ever danced along while reading a book before.. Such a great picture book suitable younger readers and fun for the whole family..
Many thanks to Allen & Unwin Publishers for sending me an Advance Review Copy in exchange for my honest review
- Annie
This would have to be one of the funkiest picture books I’ve ever read!!!
Who remembers “Footloose” by Kenny Loggins in the 80’s?? Well on October 26, the kids corner of bookstores will be hit with this amazing picture book where the No.1 hit Footloose has been re-written for children!!
Beautifully illustrated by Tim Bowers, this visual feast of a story is set in a zoo where animals wait for all the visitors to go home so they can then.. cut loose.. footloose!!! It’s such a fun read as it comes with a bonus cd, what I like to call a “Footloose” revival!! Singer Kenny Loggins re-sings “Footloose” and readers can read/sing along as the lyrics tell the story throughout the picture book.. You meet some awesome characters like Louise – the rocking chimp.. DJ Elephant and Milo the Wombat.. Don’t think I’ve ever danced along while reading a book before.. Such a great picture book suitable younger readers and fun for the whole family..
Many thanks to Allen & Unwin Publishers for sending me an Advance Review Copy in exchange for my honest review
- Annie
August 9, 2024
I thought it was great fun that the song Footloose was used to create a children's story. Lyrics were reworked to set the story at a zoo so the animals could have a dance party. Reading the dedication, I learned that Kenny Loggins and writing partner Dean Pitchford created this book for their young children and grandchildren, which is a cool thing to do. Sharing it with the world is even cooler. It even has a cd in the back so you can listen to the song Footloose as well as Monkey Town Medley.
April 15, 2017
This is a great book! The illustrations are amazing. Footloose is one of my favorite songs.
September 16, 2016
I LOVE THIS PICTURE BOOK!
I don't know about you, but I have always loved the song "Footloose," and I've always loved the movie, too, so as soon as I saw this picture book, I needed to read it! I'm so glad that I did because it's absolutely adorable! The words to the song have been changed, but it still fits the music for the song perfectly, and the story is so fun! And the artwork! The artwork is perfect! It suits "Footloose" completely, and it's so lively and fun! The images jump right of the page, and it makes for a wonderful reading experience! I read this as an egalley, but I plan to get myself a copy of this book because it's too cute to miss! I definitely recommend this one to parents, kids, and to individuals like myself--adults without kids who happen to LOVE picture books! ;) This is easily my favourite picture book that I've read all year! Seriously adorable! :D
I don't know about you, but I have always loved the song "Footloose," and I've always loved the movie, too, so as soon as I saw this picture book, I needed to read it! I'm so glad that I did because it's absolutely adorable! The words to the song have been changed, but it still fits the music for the song perfectly, and the story is so fun! And the artwork! The artwork is perfect! It suits "Footloose" completely, and it's so lively and fun! The images jump right of the page, and it makes for a wonderful reading experience! I read this as an egalley, but I plan to get myself a copy of this book because it's too cute to miss! I definitely recommend this one to parents, kids, and to individuals like myself--adults without kids who happen to LOVE picture books! ;) This is easily my favourite picture book that I've read all year! Seriously adorable! :D
August 11, 2016
Review copy provided by Edelweiss
This was a cute book, the kind that kids will enjoy for the animals that are featured on every page and the amusing rhyming text. For all the adults old enough to remember the 80's version of Footloose, they'll enjoy the reminiscence of seeing the lyrics to the namesake tune from the film incorporated into this new book. All in all, this book will have a following among younger readers and parents who loved the song that this book's text is based upon.
This was a cute book, the kind that kids will enjoy for the animals that are featured on every page and the amusing rhyming text. For all the adults old enough to remember the 80's version of Footloose, they'll enjoy the reminiscence of seeing the lyrics to the namesake tune from the film incorporated into this new book. All in all, this book will have a following among younger readers and parents who loved the song that this book's text is based upon.
September 29, 2019
Such a fun books for kids. It will have anyone from any age want to get up and dance. Reminds me of the movie footloose with the dancing and the movie Zookeeper with all the zoo animals talking. It has beautiful illustrations plus a CD with two great songs. Perfect to read and sing along.
January 12, 2017
I'd give it a 4.5. Definitely a winner.
Everyone in our house (excluding Daddy because he was at work) is in love with this book. I'm assuming we will buy a copy for our personal collection. I initially put it on hold at the Library, just to check and see if it was any good, because the few staff members who looked through it weren't raving about it and we all know that celebrities writing children's books (especially for their new grandchildren) can be huge flops.
I was very pleasantly surprised. I couldn't remember the tune for the verses, but sang the fun new choruses. (Hurray for the accompanying CD. Readers who know the tune can sing along or newbies can learn it. There is also a second surprise animal track "Monkey Town Melody" on the disc. The three kiddos moved and grooved for the full two songs.)
The art reminds me of Marc Brown in Judy Sierra's zoo series. X noticed halfway through the first read that there were children hiding in a bush behind the animals. On the subsequent read-throughs, we have watched to find out how they ended up staying after closing and where they are on each spread. We also have studied the animals, their shoes (even Lulu the snake has a shoe), and X loves to howl like the wolves and noticed right away that when they tell Jack not to nap, the sun is coming up.
2017 Staff Blackout Book Bingo Challenge- an audiobook (We read it several times and then listened to the accompanying CD several times.)
Read Like Nicholle: Listen to an audiobook
Everyone in our house (excluding Daddy because he was at work) is in love with this book. I'm assuming we will buy a copy for our personal collection. I initially put it on hold at the Library, just to check and see if it was any good, because the few staff members who looked through it weren't raving about it and we all know that celebrities writing children's books (especially for their new grandchildren) can be huge flops.
I was very pleasantly surprised. I couldn't remember the tune for the verses, but sang the fun new choruses. (Hurray for the accompanying CD. Readers who know the tune can sing along or newbies can learn it. There is also a second surprise animal track "Monkey Town Melody" on the disc. The three kiddos moved and grooved for the full two songs.)
The art reminds me of Marc Brown in Judy Sierra's zoo series. X noticed halfway through the first read that there were children hiding in a bush behind the animals. On the subsequent read-throughs, we have watched to find out how they ended up staying after closing and where they are on each spread. We also have studied the animals, their shoes (even Lulu the snake has a shoe), and X loves to howl like the wolves and noticed right away that when they tell Jack not to nap, the sun is coming up.
2017 Staff Blackout Book Bingo Challenge- an audiobook (We read it several times and then listened to the accompanying CD several times.)
Read Like Nicholle: Listen to an audiobook
May 6, 2018
This book is great to get kids up and moving. It comes with a CD that has a variation of the song "Footloose". The song/story follows animals in a zoo as the zoo shuts down for the night. On each page there are colorful illustrations showing the animals dancing and having a great time. The text itself follows the song but (again) with different lyrics to fit the scene the author has set. I enjoyed that it came with a CD so that the readers and audience could take part in the story and get up and move. It is suggested for all ages.
September 11, 2018
One of my son's current favorite songs is Kenny's original version of "Footloose," so reading a version full of zoo animals cutting loose at night was a huge hit. Although the new phrases don't always fit perfectly within the song's rhythm, it's a lot of fun, especially when we broke out the CD to listen and sing along. The CD includes the silly, family-friendly "Monkey Medley" that also went over well. Perhaps not the best for a bedtime story since my son immediately wanted to get up and dance, but very enjoyable.
December 17, 2018
Footloose has always been one of those songs where people just seem to make up the words as long as they vaguely rhyme and sound like the original, any word seems to do, and so it is no surprise that Loggins himself has rewritten his song fro Children and this is the picture book version of the rewrite. Go figure, but songs as picture books seems to be officially a thing. Can't wait till they get to Madonna's catalogue...
October 6, 2018
I think this appealed to me more than Miss 4 :) Very cool that Kenny Loggins went back to a classic and adapted it for his grand-daughter!
Miss 4 and I like to explore different books at the library and try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.
Miss 4 and I like to explore different books at the library and try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.
March 4, 2017
Very colorful and simple. It was a cute play on the words of the 80's song Footloose. I'd give it 3.5 stars because the 4 yr old enjoyed the 2 songs that were on the CD that was included with the book.
August 5, 2017
An illustrated adaptation of the song Footloose from the movie of the same name. I dare you to read it without the tune in your head. Not a great book, but not the worst celebrity kids book either. Comes with a CD of the title song and Monkey Town Medley.
November 20, 2017
Sure, you can say that it does not compare favourably to the 1980s classic, but that would be churlish. Put on the CD and watch the kids dance and giggle all the way through. That's what this book is meant for.
February 15, 2017
Yes, Kenny Loggins really did rewrite the lyrics of his 80s ersatz classic as a children's book about a bunch of dancing zoo animals. And yes, it's every bit as bad as you'd imagine.
June 14, 2017
Fun book set to a song most of us know.
June 13, 2018
This is a great music story to use during a music storytime. The book comes with a CD so you can hear Kenny Loggins sing and just turn the pages of the book.
July 2, 2018
Summer Reading 2018. Libraries Rock. No real story here but the music is great! The kids were rocking and rolling to this one!
August 16, 2018
Super fun! Can I give it a 6? This will be even more fun with my early reader!
March 6, 2019
You can just read and sing the song aloud with this fun book or play the cd to have a read-along.
February 25, 2021
Cute. Bought for my granddaughter who wasn't even born yet!
December 28, 2021
A kid version of one of my favorite teen songs! A zoo dance party to "Footloose"! How fun is that!
January 31, 2024
"I really like it. Guys, there is really a song with it too!" Review by 5yo
July 28, 2025
Love the original song, but the read-aloud (sing-aloud?) of this book was too long to keep my storytime crew's attention today. Honestly, I was kind of done with it about halfway through too.
September 7, 2025
Love the classic "Footloose" song is now written for kids!
November 23, 2016
A new take on the song Footloose! So cute!
March 18, 2017
You must must must listen to the audio version of this. It is fun to read along and sing a long to the updated zoo text! Pictures fun and I want to dance along!!
December 28, 2016
Lovely. Really cute and fun! recommended for any lover of fun children's books and music!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews