This Is Tap - by Selene Castrovilla

Book Synopsis

Pulsating text and high-energy illustrations tell the story of Savion Glover, a dancer and choreographer who revolutionazed an art form.

Savion Glover was born
with a beat.
A rhythm in his head.
A sound
in his soul.

This kinetic, lyrical biography, about a boy who loved to move his body and make music with his feet, begs to be read aloud. Savion studied drums at four and tap at seven, and by the time he was ten, he was dancing on Broadway. Savion Glover grew up to an exciting and innovative tap dancer and a Tony-award winning choreographer. A great book for kids who love to dance!

An Orbis Pictus Recommended Book
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
A Texas Topaz Nonfiction Gem

Review Quotes

"This kinetic and exciting. . . . Written in simple, flowing verse that "hits" just like a tap shoe, the smooth text is lively, punctuated by beats, and begs to be read out loud. . . . Freeman's ­dynamic ­illustrations pulse with vitality. . . ."--School Library Journal

"Dance-like energy pervades. . . . Castrovilla's prominently onomatopoeic verse dances through rhythmic variations, while Freemanfs kinetic, saturated illustrations use pale emanata to echo movement across the protagonist and diverse secondary cast."--Publishers Weekly

"A soaring tribute to a legendary dancer and choreographer."--Kirkus Reviews

"[An] energetic biography. . . .Percussive verses lay out his journey and triumphs, while a joyful cacophony surrounds Glover's movements. . . . The kinetic quality of the book's subject is just as present in Coretta Scott King Honor Book illustrator Freeman's vibrant digital illustrations, which use swooshes, starbursts, and flurries of feet to show Glover in constant motion. . . . There's always a need for more books on male dancers, and this one--especially when read aloud--will get kids grooving to their own beats."--Booklist

About the Author

Selene Castrovilla is an award-winning nonfiction and fiction author who is dedicated to uncovering hidden truths about both our nation's history and about ourselves. Her works include Revolutionary Friends: General George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette received numerous accolades, including the Society of School Librarians International Book Award Honor and the California Reading Association Eureka! Nonfiction Honor. Also, Revolutionary Rogues: John André and Benedict Arnold was a National Council for the Social Studies and Children's Book Council Notable Trade Social Studies Book, a Kansas Reading Circle choice, a Bank Street College Best Book and featured on School Library Journal's recommended reading for American history list.

Laura Freeman is an African American illustrator who was given an NAACP Image Award and Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor for Hidden Figures. Other honors include 6 Junior Library Guild selections, Chicago Public Library Best of the Best List, and state awards.