Boys Dancing

Follow four energetic boys as they train for and take the stage in a community dance performance celebrating classic kids’ books.

Can you emote like an angry pirate from Treasure Island — and even act out a fake swordfight? When four boys join their schools' dance teams, that’s just one of the numbers being rehearsed for a performance directed by the National Dance Institute of New Mexico, inspired by favorite books such as The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Where the Wild Things Are, The Thousand and One Nights, and Oh, the Places You’ll Go! Trailing the four enthusiastic dancers is photographer George Ancona, whose copious images capture the infectious spirit of the boys as they learn to dance, act, sing, leap, pretend-fight, change costumes, work hard, and above all, have fun, together with vivacious boys and girls from many other schools.

“This is an enjoyable introduction to the world of dance that portrays dance as a diverse art form and capable means of expression for all children. -Kirkus Reviews”

This is an enjoyable introduction to the world of dance that portrays dance as a diverse art form and capable means of expression for all children.
—Kirkus Reviews

A warm tribute to the tremendous effort, dedication, and collaborative spirit needed to put together a multischool performance.
—Booklist

The dances are athletic and fun, allowing the boys to pretend to be pirates, monsters, and more. The straightforward text features moments that will be relatable for most readers..Consider where dance and theater performance are popular.
—School Library Journal

George Ancona (1929-2021) was an award-winning author and photographer of more than one hundred books for children, many about arts and culture. He wrote and photographed Boys Dancing: From School Gym to Theater Stage; Can We Help? Kids Volunteering to Help Their Communities; and It’s Our Garden: From Seeds to Harvest in a School Garden.

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