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Rick's Books |
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Summary:
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Pioneers and animals join in the dancing and the fun during a journey across the plains. |
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Blurb:
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Pioneers dance, goats promenade, and pigs pirouette in this whimsical poem about dancing and fun on the pioneer trail. In lyrical verse, author Rick Walton tells a story to delight both children and adults. with its catchy rhythms and unusual rhymes, it is especially fun to read aloud. Brad Teare's colorful illustrations tantalize the imagination as lizards jig with prairie dogs and grizzly bears join in a line dance. Entertaining and imaginative, this story gives children a new insight into pioneer travels--in addition to the hard work and trials in crossing the plains, the pioneers also had fun! |
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Reviews:
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" "...whimsical poem about dancing and fun on the pioneer trail. In lyrical verse, author Rick Walton
tells a story to delight both children and adults. With its catchy rhythms and unusual rhymes, it is especially
fun to read aloud. Entertaining, imaginative,
Dance, Pioneer, Dance!
gives children a new insight into pioneer travels...
Dance, Pioneer, Dance!
is fun, informative, and a truly charming picturebook." --
The Midwest Book Review
, December 1997.
"...has captured the lilt and rhythm of the events after traveling on the long journey West. Brad Teare's exuberant pictures illustrate a homespun quality of the era." --Marilou Sorensen, Deseret News , 4/7/98. "(Rick) writes in a loose rhyming pattern that lends itself to reading aloud. An exuberant crowd of kids--is there any other kind?--could have a blast re-enacting the jigs, promenades and heel-and-toe dances Walton describes." --Lucinda Doolittle, Idaho Statesman , 3/22/98. "The mood is joyful and Teare's illustrations are lively, portraying amazingly energetic pioneers who even invite the fauna to kick up their heels in celebration. Teachers can use the handful of Mormon-migration references as an introduction to this American-born Christian sect or read it aloud just for fun. Exuberant and whimsical."--John Sigwald, School Library Journal , 8/98. "Walton's rollicking verses recall the westward journey to Utah of the first Mormon party in 1847. With Brigham Young serving as caller for this square dance rhyme, men, women, and children--as well as an assortment of horses, lizards, cows, buffalo, pigs, bears, and chickens--all partake in the merriment. Teare's colorful illustrations complement the whimsical text and somehow manage to make square-dancing grizzlies and clarinet-playing buffalo look right at home with campfires and Conestogas. Although there's no real information about the historic trip, an afterword clarifies the authentic characters mentioned. A pleasant reminder that even august pioneers had their lighter moments."--Kay Weisman, Booklist , 9/15/98. "This rhythmic, rhyming story with illustrations invites children to read aloudabout dancing and fun on the pioneer trail. Children gain new insights into pioneer travel and discover not only that it was hard work to cross the plains, but also that the pioneers liked to have fun, too."--Penny Boepple, Childhood Education , 1999. "...a joyous rhythmic romp...offers a fun-filled tak on the Mormons' journey west, including real-life participants dancing in the campfire's light and Brigham Young's advice to 'enjoy yourself in the dance.'"--Chere Coen in Magazine , February 18, 1999, Baton Rouge, La. |
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Dedication:
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For my great-great pioneer grandparents. |
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Author Bio:
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Rick Walton is the author of thirty books for children. He lives with his wife, Ann, and their four children in Provo, Utah, where he plays pioneer songs on his guitar, reads pioneer stories, and write for the children of pioneers. |
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Rick answers questions about Dance, Pioneer, Dance!
Curriculum suggestions:
: Ways to use Dance, Pioneer, Dance! in your classroom, ideas for enrichment, and just general fun activities.
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