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How Do You Dance?
A playful picture book that urges readers to bop, bounce, and shake from the author of Fraidyzoo
There are so many ways to dance! You can jiggle or wiggle or stomp. You can bop or bounce or go completely nuts. You can dance at the market or the bus stop, with your fingers or your face. You can dance because you’re happy or even because you’re sad.
But, what’s the best way to dance?
Exactly how you want to!
In How Do You Dance?, author-illustrator Thyra Heder explores dance in all of its creativity, humor, and—most of all—joy, in a picture-book celebration of personal expression that will inspire young and old readers alike to get up and get moving.
There are so many ways to dance! You can jiggle or wiggle or stomp. You can bop or bounce or go completely nuts. You can dance at the market or the bus stop, with your fingers or your face. You can dance because you’re happy or even because you’re sad.
But, what’s the best way to dance?
Exactly how you want to!
In How Do You Dance?, author-illustrator Thyra Heder explores dance in all of its creativity, humor, and—most of all—joy, in a picture-book celebration of personal expression that will inspire young and old readers alike to get up and get moving.
40 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 6, 2019
6 people are currently reading
321 people want to read
About the author
Thyra Heder
15 books44 followersThyra Heder is a writer and illustrator of picture books for children, and a storyboard and concept artist for film, television, fashion and architecture. In 2015 she was a Sundance Screenwriting Fellow and awarded the San Francisco Film Society Hearst Grant along with director, Brent Green. Her four picture books, Fraidyzoo, The Bear Report and Alfie: (The Turtle That Disappeared), and How Do You Dance? with Abrams Books for Young Readers have all received critical acclaim and international translation. In 2018, Alfie was awarded an E.B. White Read Aloud Honor by the Association of Booksellers for Children. She was born and raised in Cambridge, MA in a family of artists, and graduated from Brown University with a BA in Art Semiotics with a focus on film and video. She loves to collaborate with artists and writers of all kinds from her studio in Brooklyn, NY. She also loves walking around New York City and drawing strangers .
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 143 reviews
September 3, 2019
This is more of a concept book than a story, but it's still adorable. How Do You Dance? is packed full of dancing humans of all kinds, diverse in size, shape, colour, and ability. There are dancing kids and dancing dads, dancing janitors and dancing construction workers... and even dancing dinosaurs!
The illustrations really make this book. They're so exuberant that they showcase the joy of movement that can be felt all through the pages.
There's no wrong way to dance. Just move and dance the way that makes you happy. That's really what this book is all about.
Quotable moment:
The illustrations really make this book. They're so exuberant that they showcase the joy of movement that can be felt all through the pages.
There's no wrong way to dance. Just move and dance the way that makes you happy. That's really what this book is all about.
Quotable moment:
December 11, 2023
Gorgeous illustrations of people dancing that really feel like they're moving; story doesn't quite live up to the art.
August 16, 2019
Author/illustrator Thyra Heder explores the joy of movement and dance in this newest picture-book, depicting a variety of children and adults getting into the groove and performing their moves, all while a stubborn little boy insists that he doesn't want to join in. The narrative, and the characters on the page, try to get him to relent, but he resists until the very end of the book...
Having greatly enjoyed many of Heder's previous books, especially The Bear Report and Alfie: (The Turtle That Disappeared) , I picked up How Do You Dance? with a pleasant feeling of anticipation. As I expected, the pencil and watercolor artwork is absolutely delightful, perfectly capturing the fun of dancing, and the sense of vitality and movement of the diverse dancers. The narrative is clearly meant to encourage children to move and dance, without worry about doing things the "right" way, and although it is not really a story, it is engaging. The ending, in which the boy , is a nice touch as well. Recommended to fans of Heder's illustrations, and to anyone looking for picture-books to encourage young dancers.
Having greatly enjoyed many of Heder's previous books, especially The Bear Report and Alfie: (The Turtle That Disappeared) , I picked up How Do You Dance? with a pleasant feeling of anticipation. As I expected, the pencil and watercolor artwork is absolutely delightful, perfectly capturing the fun of dancing, and the sense of vitality and movement of the diverse dancers. The narrative is clearly meant to encourage children to move and dance, without worry about doing things the "right" way, and although it is not really a story, it is engaging. The ending, in which the boy , is a nice touch as well. Recommended to fans of Heder's illustrations, and to anyone looking for picture-books to encourage young dancers.
March 14, 2021
Brilliant, bobbing, boogie-ing, body-loving book.
September 12, 2019
I love this book. I want to dance this book out during story time, if someone will let me. LOL
September 13, 2019
Pure joy! Perfection!
November 26, 2019
Pure, undiluted joy!
August 30, 2024
Clever, contemporary, ridiculous, funny, silly . . . and hopefully a new classic.
Baby Book Club gift to Anoosh
Baby Book Club gift to Anoosh
February 5, 2020
The artwork in this book is great. Although there is not much of a story. The premise is simple and stated before. One person is not willing to dance and the others show him lots of different available moves.
August 24, 2019
Let's get weird indeed! I am so into this!! It's nice to see a book that recognizes that sometimes you just need to flop around and encourages you to do just that.
December 5, 2020
I’m the kid in this book, who is much more comfortable dancing alone. But not unwilling to dance then!
August 23, 2019
So fun! I will have to try this for a listen & move storytime.
February 1, 2021
This story invites you to dance, any way you want, anywhere. It gives lots of fun and silly examples of dancing moves. There is one boy who refuses to engage, but he eventually finds his own moves too. Celebrates finding your own reason and style of moving.
December 22, 2019
A delightful picture book told largely in expressive pictures, celebrating the dorky, weird, embarrassing, and joyful ways we (all) dance. This charming book will tickle any kid's funny bone.
May 22, 2023
Perfect for a dance themed storytime! Except I have to learn all these moves :)
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October 29, 2019Text-to Teaching Connection
Wonderful book that includes picture of different dance moves. I would read this book to my class during morning meeting to give them a variety of different dance moves to use in the classrooms. With such a variety of dance moves from a diverse group of people illustrated in the book , would help the students feel more comfortable and confident while dancing. I would use dance as a way to transition students from center to center, and also for a variety of different activities.
Wonderful book that includes picture of different dance moves. I would read this book to my class during morning meeting to give them a variety of different dance moves to use in the classrooms. With such a variety of dance moves from a diverse group of people illustrated in the book , would help the students feel more comfortable and confident while dancing. I would use dance as a way to transition students from center to center, and also for a variety of different activities.
August 19, 2019
Liked Alfie, but love this one. What a diverse cast of characters- the dancing janitor was hilarious.
Perfect for PE and music teachers and a library storytime. The dialogue with the non-dancing boy adds an element to make it more of a story and not just a book with pictures and words saying to just dance like this or like that. Ages 2-8.
Perfect for PE and music teachers and a library storytime. The dialogue with the non-dancing boy adds an element to make it more of a story and not just a book with pictures and words saying to just dance like this or like that. Ages 2-8.
August 6, 2019
"Let it get weird." What a fun and encouraging book. And the 'try something new' spread has to make for a storytime hit. How could it not?!
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
January 24, 2020
Diverse dance moves inspire kids of all ages to get in the groove—or not. Colorful watercolor illustrations.
September 23, 2019
As someone who has been a bad ballerina for 20+ years, as someone who incorporates dance into my programs every chance I get, as someone who has done a "Nutcracker" story time (with dance) for years, I should love this book. But I don't.
It's like a badly choreographed dance to me. The enthusiasm is there, but somehow it just doesn't fit the music. It's off rhythm. I cannot imagine reading it to a group, and I'm not even sure it will work with individual kids.
And the art is as awkward as the prose.
It's like a badly choreographed dance to me. The enthusiasm is there, but somehow it just doesn't fit the music. It's off rhythm. I cannot imagine reading it to a group, and I'm not even sure it will work with individual kids.
And the art is as awkward as the prose.
November 11, 2019
An active book, yes illustrations that depict all ages and all ethnicities is some form of movement. In the present sedentary life style this is a title to encourage movement. There is one young boy who doesn’t dance, but will be finally? Definitely an urban setting, but all people where ever they live dance, perhaps a suburban and or a rural version will come along.
December 11, 2019
A true master can bring movement to a static page and Thyra Heder is just that. Each spread shimmies and shakes with energy. This gorgeous, funny, and dance-inspiring book is completely kid-centered, even for the kids that don't like to dance (or say they don't!). A favorite picture book of 2019!
December 31, 2022
Delightful celebration of dancing, in all forms, with Heder's signature pencil illustrations, full of expression and fun. A nod of respect to introverts among the exuberance, as well as showing diversity in age, body type, and race is much appreciated.
May 22, 2019
Can’t wait to read and wiggle with my littles with this one!!
September 9, 2019
An exuberant celebration of dance. I loved the watercolor illustrations so much, and the text is so much fun. This will make you want to put on your boogie shoes and get down whatever way you like.
May 9, 2021
Title (italicize): How Do You Dance?
Author: Thyra Heder
Illustrator (if separate from author):
Genre: Realistic fiction
Theme(s): How we all dance differently and how it helps us feel better.
Opening line/sentence (type directly from text): "How do you dance? Like this".
Brief Book Summary (2-3 sentences in your own words): This book shows the reader a wide variety of characters of all ages and races dancing in their own way. It shows that there is no right or wrong way to dance. As long as you are having fun and expressing yourself, then you are doing it right.
Response to Two Professional Reviews (3-4 sentences in your own words):
Tell Me Framework (4 sentences in your own words): Kirkus and Publisher Weekly that this book does a nice job of depicting a wide variety of characters. This shows students that everyone and anyone can dance and have fun while doing it no matter who they are.
Like(s): The multitude of characters
Dislike(s): None!
Patterns(s): All the characters showing what their dance is.
Puzzle(s): Why do you think the boy is so hesitant to dance?
Consideration of Instructional Application (3-4 sentences in your own words): I would play the read-aloud on youtube for the class because the music is incorporated in the video. They will be able to get up out of their seats to stand while we listen. Encourage them to feel free to move around in a safe manner and share what their favorite dance move is.
Author: Thyra Heder
Illustrator (if separate from author):
Genre: Realistic fiction
Theme(s): How we all dance differently and how it helps us feel better.
Opening line/sentence (type directly from text): "How do you dance? Like this".
Brief Book Summary (2-3 sentences in your own words): This book shows the reader a wide variety of characters of all ages and races dancing in their own way. It shows that there is no right or wrong way to dance. As long as you are having fun and expressing yourself, then you are doing it right.
Response to Two Professional Reviews (3-4 sentences in your own words):
Tell Me Framework (4 sentences in your own words): Kirkus and Publisher Weekly that this book does a nice job of depicting a wide variety of characters. This shows students that everyone and anyone can dance and have fun while doing it no matter who they are.
Like(s): The multitude of characters
Dislike(s): None!
Patterns(s): All the characters showing what their dance is.
Puzzle(s): Why do you think the boy is so hesitant to dance?
Consideration of Instructional Application (3-4 sentences in your own words): I would play the read-aloud on youtube for the class because the music is incorporated in the video. They will be able to get up out of their seats to stand while we listen. Encourage them to feel free to move around in a safe manner and share what their favorite dance move is.
February 28, 2020
How do you dance
Thora Heder
Lovely watercolor illustrations accompany this book about dancing. Everybody does it, which makes for many diverse body types and skin colors. The main character is a kid in shorts, wearing a green long sleeve shirt with glasses, and is not convinced of how everyone dances. There are many different ways to dance; Mags beckons, Koyo bops, Aurora scrunches. The instructions are simple: “move a part, then move another.” Most important “let it get weird.”
A lively picture book which shows that everybody can dance however they want to, the main character just likes to dance alone.
A great read aloud where everyone can recognize themselves and could start a lot of wiggling and movement.
Oral
R
Pre Kindergarten through 1st grade
Thora Heder
Lovely watercolor illustrations accompany this book about dancing. Everybody does it, which makes for many diverse body types and skin colors. The main character is a kid in shorts, wearing a green long sleeve shirt with glasses, and is not convinced of how everyone dances. There are many different ways to dance; Mags beckons, Koyo bops, Aurora scrunches. The instructions are simple: “move a part, then move another.” Most important “let it get weird.”
A lively picture book which shows that everybody can dance however they want to, the main character just likes to dance alone.
A great read aloud where everyone can recognize themselves and could start a lot of wiggling and movement.
Oral
R
Pre Kindergarten through 1st grade
May 12, 2022
Sometimes you just need to do your own thing and sometimes that thing is not doing anything. I'm talking about doing absolutely blooming NOTHING. Even when everyone pushes you to do their thing, nope, you refuse. And th,at's okay. A dance of nothing? How amazing to celebrate this, especially when we are always doing something.
What I love about this book is that there is something for everyone to celebrate here. Everyone gets to dance, or not dance, in their own way. And that's wonderful. Dads, dinos, Rick, the boy on the table in the tighty-whities and his caregiver, all dance. The illustrations match the text perfectly. I would love to try this for a storytime and see how it goes.
What I love about this book is that there is something for everyone to celebrate here. Everyone gets to dance, or not dance, in their own way. And that's wonderful. Dads, dinos, Rick, the boy on the table in the tighty-whities and his caregiver, all dance. The illustrations match the text perfectly. I would love to try this for a storytime and see how it goes.
November 3, 2019
I loved Fraidyzoo and wanted to like this one more because I'm a fan of Thyra Heder and was looking for a book about dance. But I think the reason it's so hard to find a book about dance, is because it's not easy to translate onto the page. This book was helpful in engaging with my presently stubborn 2 year old about trying things in a different way (like dancing) and not being so focussed on why she DOESN'T want to do something - although it was ultimately unsuccessful, she still refused to dance after multiple reads of the book. But a few months later, she's coming around. Definitely worth a read, but something about it just doesn't click.
August 17, 2019
Childrens Picture Book. This book is so fun, with people of all ages and skin tones showing how they bust a move. There is no wrong way to dance, just get your body moving! The characters in this book beckon, bop, flit, scrunch, and even poot as they encourage dancing for the fun of it. The stubborn character adds a bit of humor as he resists any encouragement to join in the fun. I can imagine this to be fun for a read aloud for preschool or early elementary, but only if there's time for the children to dance!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 143 reviews