Recommended Picture Book: Kitchen Dance

Title: Kitchen Dance

Author: Maurie J. Manning

Illustrator: Maurie J. Manning

Publisher: Clarion Books; October 6, 2008

Suitable for: 3 and up

Themes/Topics: Family life, Culture & Peoples: Afro-Latino Americans, Bedtime, Dance & Movement

Opening:

 Scrape! Splash! Clunk! Clang!

I wake up and listen.

Through the walls and floor,

I hear kitchen sounds.

Book Summary: 

Two sleepy children wake up to mysterious and inviting noises from the kitchen. They sneak out to watch as their parents break into a dance while washing the dishes. Soon, the whole family is swept up into a magical and unexpected family gathering of singing, dancing, swaying and love.

 

Links to resources:

Put on some samba music and encourage children to dance. Learn about sound words, onomatopoeia. 

Examples of onomatopoeia words. Find all of the onomatopoeia in Kitchen Dance and try to create those sounds with objects in your home or classroom.

  

Why I like this book:

Who knew the kitchen was NOT just for COOKING? I love this book! The joy and love it shows between parents and children are just so heartwarming. It’s upbeat feel and fun illustrations make you want to dance right along with them. 

Find a comprehensive list of picture books with resources at Susanna Hill's blog.