I Will Dance

(Hardback)

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

This poetic and uplifting picture book illustrated by the #1 New York Times bestselling illustrator of We Are the Gardeners by Joanna Gaines follows a young girl born with cerebral palsy as she pursues her dream of becoming a dancer.

Like many young girls, Eva longs to dance. But unlike many would-be dancers, Eva has cerebral palsy. She doesnt know what dance looks like for someone who uses a wheelchair.

Then Eva learns of a place that has created a class for dancers of all abilities. Her first movements in the studio are tentative, but with the encouragement of her instructor and fellow students, Eva becomes more confident. Eva knows shes found a place where she belongs. At last her dream of dancing has come true.

Reviews

* "Evas narration brims with elation as together they create space, / create shape, / create dance, culminating in a triumphant performance. . .A gorgeous, immersive celebration of dancing and the grace within all bodies."

-- Kirkus Reviews, STARRED Review
IWill Dance puts us in this childs chair, in her tiny yearning body and in her mind, which is mobile and alive. Its not that she wants to dance, its that shewill. We see the power and harmony that builds from dancing bodies in Julianna Swaneys illustrations, which glide across the page lending innocence to lightness, effervescence to urgency. I Will Dance rides on the sensation of movement; its simple yet sophisticated." -- NY Times Book Review
"Floods text avoids sentimentality and taps into a longing that many youngsters have shared, and the description of the girls participation in the dance classes and eventual performance lyrically conveys the sublime possibilities of art." -- BCCB

Author Bio

Nancy Bo Flood has a PhD in experimental psychology and child development and is the author of several books including I Will Dance,Warriors in the Crossfire,andSoldier Sister, Fly Home. She lives in Colorado. Visit her at NancyBoFlood.com.

Julianna Swaney is the illustrator of #1New York TimesbestsellingWe Are the Gardenersby Joanna Gaines and several other picture books. She lives in Portland, Oregon. Visit her at JuliannaSwaney.com.