The LadyBug Waltz by Jeanette Hopkins is a delightful story that will make readers want to join in "waltzing, and gliding" with the ladybugs as they relish a night-time frolic.  The story, a poem set to music, uses rhyme and rhythm to depict the essence of the ladybug's dance in flight; children and parents or teachers can sing and play the lyrics and notes provided on the book's final page.  The author metaphorically describes the ladybugs as wearing "crimson-colored gowns" and "antenna tiaras" and the night as casting " an indigo spell."  The artist, Heidi Rittenhouse-Goeken, provides a vivid, colorful illustrations to draw readers immediately into the story, including a centerfold picture of a jamboree in a process: a conductor directing ladybugs jamming away on a piano, violin, cello, and string bass.  The making of the story carries its own touching significance since Hopkins composed it for her granddaughter, Chloe, and the two would sing the song each evening during Chloe's hospital stays following four open heart surgeries.  This joyful book will capture the heart and spirit of the reader, just as it did for Chloe.

Donna Niday

Associate Professor, English Education

Iowa State University

 

 

My comments reflect some input from elementary teachers in a class I teach this semester.  I took the copy to class and passed it around, thinking I might speak to the things they noticed.

The LadyBug Waltz is a bright, colorful book for the truly young-of any age.  Derived from a special grandmother-granddaughter relationship, it personifies one of nature's marvels in a particularly humanizing way-through the elegant rhythm of the waltz.  Both language and illustrations invoke images worth reading; wisely, the vocabulary doesn't underestimate its audience.  Author Jeanette Hopkins uses words to which even the youngest readers will aspire, thus rising to the invitation of the text.  Whether read to, or able to read on their own, those who engage in this waltz will feel the crimson gowns and see the tiaras glitter, the night fade to indigo; an adult arm around a small body will sense a subtle, responsive glide and curtsey.  And parent or teacher will appreciate, and use at their discretion, the intriguing "LadyBug notes" inside the cover, as they will tell the poignant story of a child whose gift to them is this experience with image, rhyme and rhythm.

James S. Davis, Director

Iowa Writing Project

University of Northern Iowa

 

 

Are you looking for a book to capture the essence of rhythm and rhyme?  Or perhaps you want a book to lead into a unit on insects?  Maybe you are searching for a book that uses descriptive  language  through words and illustrations for writing purposes.  The LadyBug Waltz offers an opportunity for teachers to utilize a picture book into their classroom in a variety of ways.  From Jeanette Hopkins' life experiences she shares her music and words.  Jeanette's initial inspiration for writing the words to this story was to benefit her beloved granddaughter through a difficult time.  It would appear Jeanette came to discover that her love of read alouds and reading development for children would play a role to pursue the sharing of her words further.  The addition of music adds a nice dimension that gives the reader another way to bond.  Literature has potential to heal, nurture, challenge and inspire us which the author has tried to embellish.

Lynette Kruger

Iowa Reading Association

 

 

 

Whether anyone who purchases The LadyBug Waltz plans to read it aloud to small children or present it as a gift for young readers to enjoy on their own, the story and illustrations will satisfy.  The rhymes, descriptions, and pictures are captivating.  The book is a creative treasure.  Young readers, as well as those reading to them, may imagine they are ladybugs, too.

Dana Wall

Author,   Mare Kin:  The Language We Speak Instead of English