Ann-Marie Williams

illustrated by Jeff Kulak

Watching a flashy music video or an episode of So You Think You Can Dance probably makes most people a little shy about their dancing skills, but we all know how to dance. After all, dance is just a mashup of everyday movement and imagination. And while a musician might learn how to play piano or guitar, a dancer's instrument is the human body. We just need to explore the unique, artistic voice inside that instrument -- and Learn to Speak Dance is all about helping kids do just that!

Drawing upon years of experience as a dancer and dance teacher, author Ann-Marie Williams exposes every aspect of the world of dance -- from different dance styles from around the world to tips on choreography, costume design, performance, staging, and even managing a potential career. She's also brought along the expert opinions of a number of other dancers, set designers, choreographers, and reality TV judges, and all of them share great tips and anecdotes throughout. But there's no need to get stage fright -- Learn to Speak Dance isn't an audition, a lecture, or even a class. It's simply a revelation of just how far your own two feet can move you -- if you let them.

READING LEVELS
Grade: 5/6
Fountas & Pinnel: V

"A sparkling addition to performing-arts sections." (School Library Journal)

"Fun, smart, and unflaggingly supportive." (Quill & Quire)

"Aspiring choreographers, musicians, stage managers and set designers will find start-up pointers." (Kirkus Reviews)