Rap a Tap Tap: Here's Bojangles -- Think of That!, by Leo and Jane Dillon

Dillon, Leo & Jane. Rap a Tap Tap: Here's Bojangles -- Think of That!  Blue Sky Press, 2002. 32 pages. $17.99, ISBN 978-0439455978

AGE LEVEL
1 and 2 year-olds

GENRE
Picture book

REVIEW

This King Award honoree about the achievement and gifts of legendary tap dancer Bill Robinson (Bojangles) is an exemplary book on many levels.  First of all, the gouache artwork is quite striking, composed of layers of translucent paint depicting several copies of Bojangles' legs in each scene, showing his quick and graceful movements. The city dwellers whom Bojangles dances by are also illustrated in beautifully layered colors. The rhyming text of the book and repeated "Rap a tap tap -- think of that!" refrain makes this book perfect for 1 and 2 year-olds. And in the midst of all this -- while focusing mainly on the joy that Bojangles brought into peoples' lives -- the authors also ground their book in reality, alluding to the social climate of the early 20th century in lines such as "He danced past doors; some were open, some closed".  An afterword with some brief information on Bojangles' achievements is included. A visual feast and wonderful read aloud for all ages of children.

LIBRARY PROGRAMMING IDEAS
At storytime, this book could be followed by this dance for toddlers:

          CAN YOU POINT YOUR FINGERS AND DO THE TWIST?

          Can you point your fingers and do the twist?
          Can you point your fingers and do the twist?
          We're gonna go up
          And down,
          Go back up
          And turn around.
          Can you point your fingers and do the twist?

          Can you stand on one leg and shake your hands?
          Can you stand on one leg and shake your hands? 
          We're gonna go up
          And down,
          Go back up
          And turn around.
          Can you stand on one leg and shake your hands?