This Is Tap - by Selene Castrovilla

Book Synopsis

A bouncing picture book biography of the tap dancer behind the Happy Feet penguin, illustrated by the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Winner of Hidden Figures.

This is a story about tap dancing, a distinctly American art form that blended English-Scottish-Irish clog dancing with African tribal dancing. And it's about a boy, Savion Glover--who was born to feel the music--to dance and perform and invent. And to delight and awe audiences with the movements of his body.

Soul meets sole.
From that day on, Savion danced.
All the time. Not practicin'. Livin.
'Tippity, tippity, tappity, tappity, TROMP, TROMP, TROMP!

Follow Savion's journey as beats crescendos into a love of dancing as self-expression. This picture book biography creates music with words and story, and dance with color and composition. Child and parent can read the rhymes and onomatopoeia together while enjoying the bold artwork.

Savion Glover revitalized modern tap dancing with his jazz and hip-hop influenced "free-form hard core" style. From his appearances on Sesame Street and choreographing Happy Feet to his Tony award-winning musical Bring in 'da Noise, Bring in 'da Funk, Savion has inspired a new generation of tap dancers. Read more about his impact on music and dance in the afterword.

Feel the movement with bright, electric art from Laura Freeman, winner Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor for Hidden Figures. Hear the music with Selene Castrovilla's bouncing, bold rhymes. This is Tap! brings Savion's exuberant story of creativity and passion to young readers.

An Orbis Pictus Recommended Book
A Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

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.