Betsy Bird knows all there is to know about kids and books. She is the New York Public Library’s youth collections specialist, she writes a blog hosted by School Library Journal , and has served on the Newbery Medal committee. Now Betsy Bird has written a children’s book of her own, Giant Dance Party.   In this rollicking picture book, a group of giants shows up at Lexy’s door wanting dance lessons. After some initial hesitation, Lexy is happy to teach them, and her dance classes end with all her students—as well as Lexy herself—overcoming their fears and putting on a boogying performance.   Brandon Dorman, an award-winning artist whose work can be found in The Wizard , and on the covers of Fablehaven and Goosebumps, brings the giants and their dance moves to life with his full-color illustrations. PreS-Gr 2-Bouncy Lexy loves to dance, but because of her stage fright and dislike of recitals, she tells her parents that she's done with it. Convinced that instructors never have to perform on a public stage, she opts to teach. She has trouble finding students and is ready to quit until five bumbling, furry blue giants with antennae show up at her door. After much instruction, they are ready for a recital, but once in front of an audience, they freeze with fright. Lexy overcomes her own performance anxiety and comes to their rescue onstage. Soon she and the giants are showing off their creative moves. The story nicely weaves together a realistic fear with fantasy elements. The characters' cheery personalities leap off the pages. Children will identify with Lexy and chuckle when they see the giants dancing. Dorman's peppy, full-color digital artwork, printed on glossy paper, pumps up the story line. Bird and Dorman's efforts blend into a delightful picture book with a feel-good ending.-Lynn Vanca, Freelance Librarian, Akron, OHα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. This picture book, by prominent ­librarian-blogger Bird, includes such irresistible ingredients as a determined young girl, furry blue giants, and lots and lots of dancing. It begins, however, with a sign the girl has painted: I quit ballet and tap and jazz and tango and Scottish Highland dancing! Apparently, Lexy loves to dance but hates recitals because she always freezes in fright. Dorman depicts Lexy as cartoonishly cute, with her big head and nimble body, dancing around with joy—offstage at least. Lexy hits upon the solution of becoming a dance teacher and advertises her free services. Dorman’s versions of Lexy’s only customers—huge blue creatures with antennae, little ears, pig noses, and overpowering enthusiasm—are an unmitigated delight. After they overcome Lexy’s reluctance to teach them, these lumbering giants inspire Lexy to dance onstage without fear or worry. In addition to the sweet outcome (a wild rumpus of sorts), librarians will note the names of Lexy’s toys: Anne, Carroll, and Moore. Grades K-2. --Abby Nolan Giants can't dance! Can they? When Lexy takes on the task of teaching a gaggle of giants to dance, well, you can expect one giant dance party. Of course it doesn't start out that way. But as Lexy and her giants prove . . . where there is a will, there is a way. Where there is imagination, there is a way. Where there is perseverance, there is a way. Where there is friendship, there is a way! Absolutely anyone can dance. And everyone in this book does ! Betsy Bird is an author, librarian, and the popular blogger Fuse #8. As a child she took both ballet and Scottish Country dancing, and in college she performed everything from tap and swing to modern dance and a little (rather awful) Fosse. Betsy Bird was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and now lives with her family in New York City, where she is currently New York Public Library's Youth Materials Collections Specialist. Brandon Dorman lives in Puyallup, Washington, and is the creator of Pirates of the Sea! and Santa's Stowaway , and the illustrator of Jack Prelutsky's Be Glad Your Nose Is on Your Face , as well as Halloween Night , by Marjorie Dennis Murray.