I Want to Be a Dancer

Children's Literature - Jan Lieberman

This book is part of a career series. Because I love dance, this book really grabbed me. Handsome color photos grace each page showing every type of dance, introducing related careers and giving a brief history of the dance form. Ballroom dance will be part of the next Olympics. Some readers may be surprised at the athletic nature of the "graceful" art form. To make it look easy, dancers must be in tiptop shape.

School Library Journal

Gr 3-5--These two series entries present the many possibilities that each vocation can provide. Each is decorated with active, colorful photographs of men, women, and young people in action. Dancer is a vibrant, entertaining introduction to the history and varying kinds of dance, from ballet to ballroom; as well as its traditional, ceremonial, and social functions. Its enthusiastic tone will spark readers' interest in the subject. Maze introduces other closely related fields such as choreography and dance therapy, and profiles some famous dancers. A list of resources covers dance festivals, schools, and magazines. Engineer defines and introduces the many different types of engineering, such as environmental, mechanical, and civil. A brief history of the field highlights Roman aqueducts, the invention of the steam engine, and the Industrial Revolution. Education, qualities, and skills needed to become an engineer are included along with an array of addresses of professional and educational organizations. These two informative and entertaining books will leave readers with a wealth of career possibilities.--Katherine Borchert, Arlington Central Library, VA