The Digger Dance - by Judy Ann Sadler (Hardcover)

About the Book

"A young boy is highly skeptical when his grandmother tells him that the machines at the nearby construction can dance, and he wants to see this for himself. But there are setbacks. and the child has to be patient and fill the time in other ways --- ploughing through books, digging through the toy box, building and bulldozing. When Grandma decides to bake, the child eagerly joins in, because Baking is almost as good as watching diggers. / We line up our equipment and we're ready! This very imaginative child turns baking into a great opportunity to do all sorts of digger-related actions I try to scoop sugar, but it's hard as a rock. / I have some excavating to do! / My arm is a high hoe, my hand holds a bucket. / I scrape and thump to crush all the lumps, / then shovel smooth sugar into the bowl. Finally, just as the cookies go in the oven, the skies clear, and the child is off! And in a wonderful run of text and art, the diggers come to life: One digger dips low, another lifts high. / They dig and load. / They bend, then rise ... This way, that way, together, apart. They dip, they swing, they dump, they spin! They pound and push, they shovel and roll! ... turning, spinning, bowing, bending ... It turns out that yes, indeed, the diggers do dance! And then, a satisfying surprise ending that brings us back to the cookies, as the child does a digger dance, all the way home. Features a warm, loving, intergenerational relationship between a boy and his grandmother. Component of social and emotional learning, as the child must practice patience and self-regulation during the long wait, and cope with small disappointments when the diggers aren't working. The words dance off the page in this energetic read-aloud, and the feeling of dancing is enhanced by the rhythm of the text."--

Book Synopsis

A boy delights in the discovery that diggers can dance!

When a young boy's grandmother tells him that diggers can dance, he wants to see the dancing in action! But the diggers stay parked in a row outside their window while it rains. As the boy and his grandmother wait for the skies to clear, they decide to bake together.

Using his imagination, the boy discovers that baking and diggers have a lot in common. He scoops and shovels sugar, digs in the dough, and soon the sun returns. He runs out to watch the diggers, and they really do dance: dipping low, lifting high, swinging, bending, and spinning!

This whimsical story gently enforces social-emotional learning concepts while spotlighting the joys of play. Watercolor illustrations bring the energetic, rhythmic text to life, making for a perfect read-aloud that will inspire kids to see their surroundings through a creative lens.

Review Quotes

"A creative and imaginative book that young children are sure to find relatable."

-- "Children's Literature Comprehensive Database"

"In an immersive, movement-forward readaloud, Sadler explores imagination and imitation as an exuberant young construction fan discovers the grace of enormous excavators."

-- "Publishers Weekly"

"The playful illustrations by Yong Ling Kang work alongside Sadler's text to bring the energetic characters and setting to life ... Young readers interested in construction vehicles will greatly enjoy reading The Digger Dance."

-- "Canadian Review of Materials"

"The story provides an interesting look at the graceful movements needed for effective construction and demolition, and the watercolor and pencil illustrations help to capture that beauty ... A well-constructed view of construction."

-- "Kirkus Reviews"