Baby Danced the Polka: Social Dance in Children's Books

Giraffes Can't Dance (2001) by Giles Andreae (author) & Guy Parker-Rees (illustrator) [Board Book or Picture Book] — While Gerald the Giraffe is initially intimidated by the skills of his fellow animals ("The warthogs started waltzing and the rhinos rock 'n' rolled. The lions danced a tango that was elegant and bold."), he eventually learns that "We all can dance when we find music that we love."

Woodland Dance! (2023) by Sandra Boynton [Board Book] — When the fox blows her bugle, it's time to dance. The animals "waltz or they foxtrot. They pivot and prance. And they dance. And they dance. And they dance. And they dance."

¡1, 2, 3 Salsa!: English-Spanish Counting Book (2023) by Delia Ruiz (author) & Graziela Andrade (illustrator) [Board Book] — Each page of this bilingual counting book features a different aspect of Salsa dancing, for example, "Two dancing shoes make a pair," and "Three turns make my hair swish-swish-swish."

Feel the Beat: Dance Poems that Zing from Salsa to Swing (2017) by Marilyn Singer (author) & Kristi Valiant (illustrator) [Picture Book] — 'My heart does / som-er-saults / each time I / hear a waltz.' In this collection of poems about social dancing, the rhythm of the poem is designed to match the rhythm of the dance.

Barnyard Dance! (2022) by Sandra Boynton [Board Book] — Down on the farm, the animals perform a variety of square-dance-inspired calls. "With a baa and a moo and a cockadoodledoo, everybody promenade two by two."

Sam Francisco, King of the Disco (2023) by Sarah Tagholm (author) & Binny Talib (illustrator) [Picture Book] — Sent to shut down the cat's raucous disco dance party, two dogs, a pest control specialist, and even the police and fire brigade can't hold back from joining in on the fun. "The party was incredible, a megaton of fun, and they danced till dawn when they woke the sun."

¡Mambo Mucho Mambo! The Dance That Crossed Color (2021) by Dean Robbins (author) & Eric Velasquez (illustrator) [Picture Book] — A nonfiction picture book about Mambo dancing in the mid-20th century. "Mambo dancers went forward and backward, side to side. Feet kicked and flicked. Bodies swiveled and swung."

The Snowman Waltz (2022) by Karen Konnerth (author) & Emily Neilson (illustrator) [Picture Book] — When marching penguins meet waltzing snowmen, chaos ensues, until each group teaches the other a new rhythm, and "penguins and snowmen dance under the moon."

Sebi and the Land of Cha Cha Cha (2017) by Roselyn Sanchez, Eric Winter (authors), & Nivea Ortiz (illustrator) — Transported to the magical land of Cha Cha Cha, Sebi and Keeke are taught to dance by the Cha Cha Cha Cacatúa, the Merengue Monkeys, and the Samba Squirrels.

Tractor Dance (2024) by Matt Forrest Esenwine (author) & Jen Taylor (illustrator) [Board Book] — When the sun goes down on the farm, it’s time for a hoedown! “Combine likes her country with a little southern draaawl… Plow prefers a polka… and Tractor loves it all!”

Zoogie Boogie Fever!: An Animal Dance Book (2018) by Sujean Rim [Picture Book] — Have you ever wondered why zoo animals sleep all day? It's because they boogie all night, of course! "Some moves have names, some do not. That's the tango, and there's the fox-trot."

Boogie in the Bronx! (2023) by Jackie Azúa Kramer (author) & Jana Glatt (illustrator) [Picture Book] — Set in the Bronx, this book is a colorful, bilingual celebration of numbers, social dance, and culture. “Three chefs salsa as they grill. Shimmying, slicing—that takes skill.”

While You're Asleep (2024) by Emmy Kastner — "Moles and badgers dance the tango in the moonlight" in this book about the nocturnal animals who wake up to have some fun while we're asleep.

Salsa Lullaby (2019) by Jen Arena (author) & Erika Meza (illustrator) [Picture Book] — It's time for bed, but first, one last dance! "Mami lifts her arms up high. Papi spins and twists. Baby bounces happily, waves those little fists.

Baby Loves to Boogie! (2014) by Wednesday Kirwan [Board Book] — While "the apes like to orang-o-tango and the sloths like to slow dance," baby loves to "boogie, boogie, boogie!"

ABC Dance!: An Animal Alphabet (2020) by Sabrina Moyle (author) & Eunice Moyle (illustrator) [Board Book] — "Hedgehogs hustle," "llamas lambada," and "water buffalo waltz" in this alphabetical celebration of dance.

¡1, 2, 3 Cumbia!: English-Spanish Manners Book (2023) by Delia Ruiz (author) & Graziela Andrade (illustrator) [Board Book] — Each page of this bilingual manners book features a different aspect of dance etiquette, for example, "May I please dance with you? Yes, thank you for asking!"

The Princess in Black and the Prince in Pink (2024) by Shannon and Dean Hale (authors) & Leuyen Pham (illustrator) [Illustrated Chapter Book] — When the Flightless Bird Herd crashes the royal ball, the Herd and the party goers dance it out. "Heroes stepped forward, birds stepped back. Birds forward, heroes back."

Wordsworth Dances the Waltz (2007) by Frances H. Kakugawa (author) & Melissa DeSica (illustrator) [Picture Book] — This touching story about aging centers around a mouse poet who wants to waltz with his grandmother. "Grandma, remember how you used to dance the waltz? Come, dance with me."

The Music From Our Country (2020) by Dabrali Diaz (author) & J Donatella (illustrator) [Picture Book] — In this bilingual picture book, Mechi learns to dance to the music from our country, Bachata. "One, Two, Three, Tap... One, Two, Three, Tap..."

Let's Count Texas: Numbers and Colors in the Lone Star State (2017) by Trish Madson (author) & David W. Miles (illustrator) [Board Book] — "4 red boots cover two-steppin' feet" (and "10 brilliant bluebonnets dance in the breeze") in this Texas-themed book of colors and numbers.

Itty Bitty Princess Kitty: The Royal Ball (2020) by Melody Mews (author) & Ellen Stubbings (illustrator) [Illustrated Chapter Book] — After struggling to learn the "Unicorn Trot," the "Bunny Slide," and the "Butterfly Waltz," Itty shows everyone how to do the "Princess Itty."

Let's Dance! (2020) by Valerie Bolling (author) & Maine Diaz (illustrator) [Picture Book] — Several social dances are included in this rhyming celebration of different dance styles. "Do-si-do to and fro." "Cha cha cha oo-la-la."

Tokyo Night Parade (2023) by J.P. Takahashi (author) & Minako Tomigahara (illustrator) [Picture Book] — On the night of the Hyakki Yagyō (Night Parade of 100 Demons), everyone parades through the streets of Tokyo, then dances.

Piggies in a Polka (2003) by Kathi Appel (author) & Leuyen Pham (illustrator) [Picture Book] — It's that time of year when every pig gather for the annual hootenanny. "There are piggies by the bushel, and piggies by the pound. They come from all around to hear that oompah-oompah sound."

Ten Go Tango (2000) by Arthur Dorros (author) & Emily Arnold McCully (illustrator) [Picture Book] — Two toucans two-step, three bears cha-cha, four foxes fox-trot, six crickets jitterbug, eight walruses waltz, nine rhinos rumba, and ten flamingos tango in this dance-based counting book.

Baby Danced the Polka (2004) by Karen Beaumont (author) & Jennifer Plecas (illustrator) [Lift-the-Flap Book] — While Mama and Papa do their chores, baby prefers to dance with a variety of stuffed animals. "While Papa shaved his whiskers, and Mama washed her wig, Baby danced the polka with the polka-dotted Pig."

Moomin and the Ice Festival (2018) by Tove Jansson [Picture Book] — In the background of this Moomin story, silhouetted couples are seen skating together and dancing on the snow together under the northern lights.

Everybunny Dance! (2017) by Ellie Sandall [Picture Book] — "Nobody is watching, now's the perfect chance. Ready bunny, steady bunny, everybunny dance!" In this cute picture book, bunnies dance in pairs, in a trio, and a Conga line.

Waltz of the Scarecrows (1998) by Constance W. McGeorge (author) & Mary Whyte (illustrator) [Picture Book] — Each summer, the town crafts a crowd of well-dressed scarecrows in honor of a Harvest Ball long ago that scared away the crows. "'There are even a few,' Grandpa added, 'who claim they've seen the scarecrows waltzing.'"

Eloísa's Musical Window (2024) by Margarita Engle (author) & John Parra (illustrator) [Picture Book] — Hearing the music on the street outside her window Eloísa (and her family) are inspired to dance.

On the Night You Were Born (2006) by Nancy Tillman [Board Book, Picture Book] — On the night you were born, the animals celebrated, including a pair of polar bears who danced until dawn. "Or notice the bears asleep at the zoo. (It's because they've been dancing all night for you!)"

The Barefoot Book of Dance Stories (2010) [Story Book] — This long-form story book has several tales featuring social dances including waltz, polka, and Scottish reels. "Each prince took the arm of his princess, helped her from the boat and led her into the castle where they danced all night long in the great ballroom."

Noah's Square Dance (1995) by Rick Walton (author) & Thor Wickstrom (illustrator) [Picture Book] — On Noah's Ark, to pass the time while it rains, the animals dance to Noah's calls. "Circle one, then twirl that lion. Lizards, keep those petticoats flyin'!"

Barn Dance! (1988) by Bill Martin Jr., John Archambault (authors) & Ted Rand (illustrator) [Picture Book] — Unable to sleep, the farm boy sneaks into the barn to dance with the scarecrow fiddler and all the animals. "Right hand! Left hand! Around you go! Now back-to-back your partner in a do-si-do!"

Wherever You Are: My Love Will Find You (2012) by Nancy Tillman [Board Book, Picture Book] — While not about dancing, this book does feature a cover illustration and page/stanza about dancing with a bear. "You can dance 'til you're dizzy, paint 'til you're blue. There's no place, bot one, that my love can't find you."

Baby Danced the Polka:

Social Dance in Children’s Books

In this exhibit, you’ll find a collection of children’s books featuring social dancing.

From board books to picture books to collections of bedtime stories about dances like Salsa, Swing, Waltz, and Tango, you’ll find something here for every young dance enthusiast.