Let's Dance

by David Bowie, Hannah Marks (Illustrations)

"Let's dance. Put on your red shoes and dance the blues..." Embrace the spirit and mood of iconic musician David Bowie in this must-have book for any Bowie fan, especially those wanting to introduce a new generation to a favorite musical artist. Lightly adapting the lyrics to "Let's Dance" for a younger audience, kids and parents will soon be tapping their shoes to this lively book with bright, fun, whimsical artwork.

Genres: Picture Books, Music, Childrens, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

Published April 7, 2020

About the author

David Bowie (born David Robert Jones) was an English singer, songwriter, actor, multi-instrumentalist, bandleader, producer, arranger, and audio engineer. Active in five decades of rock music and frequently reinventing his music and image, Bowie was widely regarded as an influential innovator, particularly for his work through the 1970s. Bowie has taken cues from a wide range of fine art, philosophy and literature. He was also a film and stage actor, music video director, and visual artist.

Reviews

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Bowie's music, but this song doesn't translate to book form that smoothly. THe edited version of the lyrics doesn't flow when read aloud like a picture book should. The illustrations are fun and colorful (with some Bowie-esque looks on some of the characters). A fun read for Bowie fans, but children may not get it.

[Jeani · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not familiar with David Bowie's music, so that's probably why I'm not super excited about this book. Lively illustrations!

[Hanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read of the lyrics to Let's Dance by David Bowie! Shows people of all ages, races, and ethnicities, plus a few people in wheelchairs. Disappointingly, there are no visibly gender nonconforming folks. Good for an active storytime!

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great illustrations but the lyrics don’t translate into much of a book.

[Sophia B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anybody who knows me knows I'm absolutely, unconditionally in love with my nieces and nephews. I tell them stories, read to them, and I always include a book in any birthday or holiday gift. I just love igniting their imaginations and watching them fly with it.So, needless to say, I'm very big on children's books. I'm constantly keeping an eye out for children's books for all different age ranges. Let's Dance is actually a contest win- a contest, that I entered, for a children's book! I have to say, the illustrations are such a vibrant celebration, I'm so impressed! I'm not necessarily a David Bowie fan (before my time😉) so I don't know the song. Maybe if i knew it, I'd connect to the words as much as I did to the illustrations. Either way, I could totally envision one of the kids just flipping through, transfixed by the images. Thank you @runningpresskids for keeping kids enriched and igniting their imaginations (and of course thank you for this gorgeous copy😘)

[Andrea · Rating 2 out of 5]

The illustrated children's book embraces the spirit and mood of dancing through the iconic musician David Bowie's music. The book adapts the lyrics to "Let's Dance" for young fans along with including whimsical artwork. I don't listen to David Bowie and can't name a single song from him. I am not saying I hate his work just that I do not know his work. I felt like fans of the song would like this book more because I felt like the book was boring and had no point. The lyrics were repeated and I felt the artwork of people just dancing got redundant after page 5. I did like that the illustrations were inclusive.

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a Bowie fan so this book caught my eye immediately! It has adapted the lyrics from the song with same title for younger viewers to enjoy the work of Bowie. I do appreciate what they were going for here, its a simple easy fun read but it might be less appealing to non Bowie fans. The illustrations are cute and playful.
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Thank You to the publisher for sending us this book.
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[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A+ for the fun and inclusive illustrations of people dancing! But this book is best read while listening to the song or singing, because the lyrics don't really work well on their own (although my older kid seemed to prefer it on its own, without me singing because he hates that, and I did not prefer to read it without singing. There was no compromise). Good thing we love David Bowie at our house.

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun book to read aloud for music lovers who would be excited to introduce some Bowie to their younger readers. It is also a fun book for young readers who like an active storytime and would love an excuse to get up and dance around. The illustrations are cute and help uplift the lyrics.

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

Love the song, and I appreciate the illustration style, but the lyrics just don't translate well to a children's book. If you want to get kids dancing, there are other books that will do the job. Or just play the song.

[Gen L · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a kid's story out felt a little stilted though that may be because I kept wanting to sing it and it's not *quite* the right for that either. I think this would be a great gift for a patent out grandparent who loves Bowie though.

[Peacegal · Rating 2 out of 5]

More and more classic rock tunes are being given the picture book treatment. Some work better than others. Bowie's enigmatic lyrics work well in the context of the song, but when presented in this format, kids are just as likely to be confused.

[Wylaina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I sang the whole book in my head.

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing! Must listen with the song. The illustrations are on point and inclusive! Well done, @Hannahmarks

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

A children's picture book depicting the lyrics to Bowie's Let's Dance. The people throughout the book are depicted dancing to the song's lyrics.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to give this 3 stars, but as a Bowie fan, the music kept playing in my head and I had to give it 4!

[FamousLeslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

💚

[Cyril · Rating 2 out of 5]

Love the illustrations, but the lyrics really don't work as text here.

[Katrina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Edited a lot of the song down, which is understandable. Takes some of the rhythm out of it though. Good, lively art.

[Annamarie Carlson (she, her)]

Picture book adaptation of David Bowie song Let's Dance. Illustrations are fun with a diverse cast of characters, but the song doesn't translate well into a story.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the joy of the many different people dancing, though this might be a challenge to read at storytime.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joyful and inclusive. A wonderful book for story hour.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

The pictures are a little funky (and not in a Bowie way.)

[Jeimy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The song is nonsensical, but I loved the illustrations which featured all sorts of people dancing.

[Debby · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 I came for the text; I stayed for the illustrations. Read my full review here.

[Ali · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bunch of pictures with the lyrics as story. But the repetitive story is good for early readers.

[createitlibrarian (Amanda) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the diverse people in this book! Very inclusive!

[Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

The lyrics of David Bowie's "Let's Dance" are put into a picture book. Inviting one and all to dance, and sway in red shoes or whatever color you may have.

[Pinky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dance through the day and sway the blues, and bad news away.