Baby Danced the Polka

FROM OUR EDITORS

The Barnes & Noble Review
A tiny tot shakes his groove thing -- and avoids his bedtime -- in this toe-tappin' flap book from Karen Beaumont and Good Night, Good Knight illustrator Jennifer Plecas. Down on the farm, Mama and Papa are trying to get Baby to go to sleep. "But instead... While Papa shaved his whiskers, / And Mama washed her wig... / Baby danced the polka / With the polka-dotted...PIG." Mama and Papa keep putting Baby back to bed, but the peppy toddler only finds more animals to dance with, including a boogie-woogying goat, a cha-cha-ing cow, and a shooby-doobying sheep. Cleverly, though, the parents realize that maybe they should "have the best ol' polka-fest / In all of Arkansas!" instead, and when the moon finally comes up, a tuckered Baby snuggles up "With dreams of polka parties / Still a-dancing in his head." Containing loads of booty-shaking fun and large flaps that reveal various animals cutting a rug, Beaumont and Plecas's book will have any child doing the two-step and more. Matt Warner

FROM THE PUBLISHER

It's nap time on the farm, but one un-sleepy baby has a different plan...Will Baby do the cha-cha? Will Mama flip her wig? Will Baby dance the polka with a polka-dotted pig? Perfect fun for young children who like lively stories, this happy tale invites all to join in and dance along. Read, sing, lift the flaps, do a little jig-and-twirl! It's a toe-tappin', no-nappin' good time when baby starts to boogie.

Author Biography: Karen Beaumont is the author of Being Friends. Jennifer Plecas is the illustrator of the Agapanthus Hum books and Good Night, Good Knight.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

A nimble tyke tangos his way out of naptime in this blithe, lift-the-flap book with sturdy laminated pages. Down on the farm, Mama and Papa repeatedly try to put Baby down for a nap: "Inside, Baby closed his eyes./ `Sleep tight,' his mama said./ `Your pa and I have chores to do./ You better stay in bed.' " But, as soon as Mama and Papa leave the room, Baby leaps up, shaking his groove thing with a different stuffed animal each time. "While Papa shaved his whiskers,/ And Mama washed her wig / Baby danced the polka/ With the polka-dotted...." The rhymed answer is hidden by a large flap, which depicts Baby dancing as his body masks his partner. By lifting the flap, readers reveal the impish infant dancing with an equally animated animal (in this case, a spotted pink pig). After abortive attempts to keep Baby in bed, Mama and Papa give in, and they all dance the night away, deciding, "We'll have the best ol' polka-fest/ In all of Arkansas." Beaumont's (Being Friends) rhymes roll perfectly off the tongue, making the story ideal for reading aloud. Using paints, colored pencils and sketchy, black outlines, Plecas (Love That Baby!) captures hilarious facial expressions and jubilant dance poses. This tireless toddler and his toe-tapping is likely to dance his way into readers' hearts. Ages 2-up. (Mar.) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Children's Literature - Sharon Levin

A lift the flap picture book that has everything one wants for little kids: engaging rhyme scheme, easy and fun to read aloud, bright illustrations and anticipatory writing. Here's what I mean, "Inside, Baby closed his eyes. Sleep tight," his mama said. "Your pa and I have chores to do. You better stay in bed." But instead, "While Papa shaved his whiskers And Mama washed her wig" Baby danced the polka with the polka dotted "(lift the flap) PIG" The flap gives kids a chance to guess what's under it. The rhythm gets your toes tapping and the delight on the baby's face as he dances with the animals will make you grin as well. Great fun! 2004, Dial Books for Young Readers, Ages 2 to 5.

School Library Journal

PreS-Mama and Papa put their baby down for a nap, but the youngster feels like dancing. Each time the adults set out to do a chore, Baby escapes the crib and boogie-woogies, cha-chas, or shooby-doobies with a different stuffed-animal companion. Soft pastel illustrations portray a cozy farmhouse and sturdy flaps on every other page hide the toys so that listeners can guess who the next dance partner will be. "While Papa shaved his whiskers,/And Mama washed her wig-/Baby danced the polka/With the polka-dotted- Pig." In the end, the entire family, including the cat, cannot resist temptation: "`Get your fiddle!' said the mama./`And your dancing shoes!' said Pa./`We'll have the best ol' polka-fest/In all of Arkansas!'" Baby finally falls asleep after the sun goes down "With dreams of polka parties/Still a-dancing in his head." A bright and lively bedtime selection.-Olga R. Kuharets, Broward County Libraries, Fort Lauderdale, FL Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews