Song and Dance Man

Author- Karen Ackerman

Title- Song and Dance Man

Illustrator- Stephen Gammell

Year-1988

Genre- Caldecott

Format- Hardcover

Publisher- Alfred A. Knopf, INC

Reading Level- Early Elementary-assisted

Interest Level- Elementary

Topics- Caldecott, Picture story book, Dance

Summary- This book is about a grandpa who once was a song and dance man who danced on the vaudeville stage. One day his grandkids were at the house. He was telling them about the good old days when people didn't just sit in front of the TV. He brought them upstairs and showed the grandkids what he use to do for fun. They were in awe of their grandfather. They never knew he had such a hidden talent.

Extension Activity- For this extension you could have a classroom talent show. Each student could bring in their favorite activity or something they really like. Another idea would be to teach the students a little dance lesson.

Song and Dance Man

Caldecott
Author: - Karen Ackerman

Title: -Song and Dance Man
Illustrator: -Stephen Gammell
Publisher: -Alfred A. Knope, INC.
Year: - 1988


Format: -Hardcover
Genre: -Picture Book
Reading Level: -Emergent Reader
Interest Level: -Early Elementary


Topics: - Fun at Grandma and Grandpa's and the way they love you. Getting dressed up. Types of dancing. Types of things you see at a circus.




Summary: - Three little kids go over to their grandma and grandpas house. Grandpa has a good idea while they are waiting for supper instead of watching t.v. They go up stairs into the attic where their grandpa keeps his old dancing things. He puts them on himself and also his grandchildren. They watch him as he puts on a show for all of them. The absolutely love and and with they would have seen him dance in the good old days. He gives them a hug once they get down stairs and turns off the light. The children then wonder how much he misses when he danced on the vaudeville stage.

Extension Activities: -Make a box guitar with empty paper towel roles, a shoe box, and rubber bands.
At a younger age such as preschool you could get a C.D that tells the students to act out what the music says.

Song and Dance Man

Author: - Karen Ackerman

Title: -Song and Dance Man
Illustrator: -Stephen Gammell
Publisher: -Alfred A. Knopf, Inc.
Year: -1988


Format: -Hardcover
Genre: -Picture Storybook
Reading Level: -Assisted
Interest Level: -Early Elementary


Topics: - Caldecott award, grandparents, vaudeville, dress up, memories


Summary: -
The story focuses on three children who, when they visit their grandparents, get to learn about their grandpa's days on the Vaudeville stage. The story nostalgically describes the show that the grandfather puts on for his grandchildren in the attic, using his old costumes and old routines. Illustrations use colored pencils to show texture, mood, and motion.

Extension Activities: -
--Have the students put together a Vaudeville-style show of their own. For older classrooms, students could combine this with some level of research about the Vaudeville era.
--Compare and contrast the forms of entertainment that students enjoy and that students' grandparents and parents enjoyed when they were younger.