''Song and Dance Man'' is a

children's A child ( : children) is a human being between the stages of birth and puberty, or between the developmental period of infancy and puberty. The legal definition of ''child'' generally refers to a minor, otherwise known as a person younger ...

picture book A picture book combines visual and verbal narratives in a book format, most often aimed at young children. With the narrative told primarily through text, they are distinct from comics, which do so primarily through sequential images. The images ...

written by Karen Ackerman and illustrated by Stephen Gammell. Published in 1988 by Knopf Books, the book is about a grandfather who tells his grandchildren about his adventures on the stage. Gammell won the 1989

Caldecott Medal The Randolph Caldecott Medal, frequently shortened to just the Caldecott, annually recognizes the preceding year's "most distinguished American picture book for children". It is awarded to the illustrator by the Association for Library Service ...

for his illustrations, pencil drawings using full colors.American Library Association
Caldecott Medal Winners, 1938 – Present
URL accessed 27 May 2009.

Synopsis

Three children visit their grandfather and have a wonderful time as he reminisces about his performances on stage. He tells stories of when he was a vaudeville song and dance man, when people did not sit in front of the television for hours. He leads the children to the attic, and finds his old bowler hat, gold-tipped cane, and tap shoes. He performs, telling jokes, dancing and singing, making the children laugh.

Critical reception

''Song and Dance Man'' was published to very strong reviews. ''The New York Times Book Review'' called it " a charming, lighthearted and entertaining book", ''The Everyday Magazine'' described it as "a wonderfully nostalgic picture book", The video version of ''Song and Dance Man'' was reviewed positively by the ''School Library Journal'' as a very good addition to both school and public library collections.Sherman, Louise L., and Phyllis Levy Mandell. "Song And Dance Man (Film)." School Library Journal 37.1 (1991): 58. Academic Search Complete. Web. 10 Nov. 2014.

References

1988 children's books American picture books Caldecott Medal–winning works Alfred A. Knopf books Vaudeville {{child-book-stub