Dancing Granny

by Elizabeth Winthrop, Maurice Burton

Granny and her grandchild take a nighttime trip to the zoo, where the animals have prepared a fabulous party and Granny dances the night away.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

ELIZABETH WINTHROP ALSOP (www.elizabethwinthropalsop.com), is the author of over sixty works of fiction for all ages, including ISLAND JUSTICE and IN MY MOTHER'S HOUSE, both available as e-books.

DAUGHTER OF SPIES: Wartime Secrets, Family Lies, her memoir about her parents' love affair during World War II and her own childhood in 1950s Washington as the daughter of a famous journalist, will be published October 25, 2022 by Regal House.

Her short story, The Golden Darters, was selected by Best American Short Stories by Robert Stone and was recently read on SELECTED SHORTS by the renowned actress, Ann Dowd. She is the author of the memoir piece, Don't Knock Unless You're Bleeding; Growing Up in Cold War Washington.The daughter of Stewart Alsop, the political journalist, she divides her time between New York City and the Berkshires.

Her historical novel, COUNTING ON GRACE was chosen as a Notable Book of the Year by the American Library Association, the National Council of Social Studies, the International Reading Association and the Children’s Book Council among others. The novel has also been nominated for state book awards in Vermont, Virginia, Kentucky, Kansas, Missouri,Indiana, Hawaii and Arizona.

THE CASTLE IN THE ATTIC and its sequel, THE BATTLE FOR THE CASTLE, were nominated for twenty-three state book awards and are considered children’s fantasy classics.

Her popular picture books include DUMPY LA RUE, SHOES,DOG SHOW, SQUASHED IN THE MIDDLE and most recently, THE FIRST CHRISTMAS STOCKING and THE BIGGEST PARADE. Two of her recent books for older children are THE RED-HOT RATTOONS, a comic fantasy novel and DEAR MR. PRESIDENT, Letters from a Milltown Girl, a work of historical fiction set in western Massachusetts.

For more information, www.elizabethwinthrop.com

Reviews

[CJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun and silly book

[Katie P · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of our better picks from this round of library loans. Granny lets loose when the animals host a dance at the zoo.

[Magenta · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Crystal Lough · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dancing Granny is a picture book. Its is targeted for children in primary grades. Although the book is a rhyming book and can be categorized as poetry, I put it under my picture books because I think the pictures are very appealing. The illustrations are very colorful, busy and they take up the whole page. There are a lot of words on some pages but they are pushed to the side to focus on the pictures. The book is about a little girl who wants her granny to go to the zoo with her. At first granny says she really doesn't want to go. When she finally gives in and goes she realizes she really liked the experience. I rated this book a 3 because although I liked it, the book didn't extremelely interest me. I do however think children would find the book semi-appealing. I could use this book in the classroom if I was trying to teach a child or the class that trying new things is a good idea. Seeing that the grandmom liked the zoo after all is a good moral of the story that you should try new things because you might be surprised how much you like them.

[Kimberly Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh, MEH! Oh! Ok so this is a story told in rhyme about a little girl who insists on taking her Granny to the zoo for a dance party with the animals. At first Granny balks, but the kid becomes more & more insistent until Granny acquiesces.

It was just too much for me and I'm thinking that mainly the illustrations were what put me off.... There was too much too look at, too many characters in one space with too many colors and way too many patterns, it was all jumbled up.

Needless to say, I didn't use this book.

[Becca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dancing Granny shows children that grandparents can be fun people to be around, despite what they may already think! Granny goes to dance with the animals at the zoo with her granddaughter and ends up having the time of her life! Although fictional, I would read this book to preschoolers and the younger grades. It is a silly story with no educational content exactly, but could be used for a fun read. It is very creative, and I would recommend it for that reason.

[Katrina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Granny and her grandchild take a nighttime trip to the zoo, where the animals have prepared a fabulous party and Granny dances the night away. Not a bad story, but not amazing. If you're looking for Grandma, zoo animals, or books on dance, this one fits the bill.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of our favorite children's picture books. It's written in rhyme and colorfully illustrated. It tells a very funny story about a little girl who takes her grandma to the zoo for a dance party with the animals. We all have it memorized at my house