Keep Dancing

Kids Sports Stories

by Cristina Oxtra, Seb Burnett (Illustrations)

Lito is proud of his Filipino heritage, and he's one of the best dancers in his folk dance group. He and his sister, Nenita, plan to perform at their school's spring festival. When snickering classmates threaten to derail Lito's confidence, he needs to dig deep and keep dancing.

32 pages, Paperback

Published February 1, 2021

Reviews

[Earl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first heard about this book while doing a random Google search for Filipino books. And I wasn't even sure this was a book I'd actually get to read since it seemed so obscure but when I was doing (yet another) random search for Filipino books on a library's database, not only did they have it but they also had it in.

I didn't realize this early reader chapter book was part of a series introducing young readers to different sports- in this instance tinikling which is a Filipino folk dance involving bamboo poles.

Lito is teased by some boys when they overhear he dances but his family helps him overcome it to help shine a light on his Filipino culture.

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lito is a little ashamed to admit to boys at his school that he dances. He isn't sure he wants to participate in the spring festival where he and his sister are supposed to perform a traditional Filipino dance. But does he really want to give up dancing?

I like that this highlights a specific type of Filipino dancing, and you get to learn a little bit about it through the story.

[Nessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this! About a boy who is embarrassed to dance his traditional Filipino style dancing because he was being bullied by some boys at school. He decides to keep dancing and show everyone at their school festival how proud he is of his culture and dancing!

[Tina Hoggatt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Early reader that contains a glossary right up front and back matter, and tells the story of a brother and sister devoted to Filipino dance. Yes, boys can dance and dancers are athletes.