  | Daddy-daughter dance Author: Newsome, Malcolm | |
| Price: $23.28 | ||
Summary:
At last, the day of daddy-daughter dance is finally here! To get ready for their special night out, Mona and Daddy transform their entire day into a special dance routine. They boogie, shuffle, and slide to the hair salon, the nail place, and the dress store. But when they arrive, the dance has been cancelled! How will Mona, Daddy, and the other families get their chance to get down?
| Illustrator: | Mohammed, Jenin |
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (11/01/25)
School Library Journal (+) (08/08/25)
Booklist (10/01/25)
Full Text Reviews:
School Library Journal - 08/08/2025 PreS-Gr 2—"We take the groove wherever we go. Because the groove is inside us!" Mona and her daddy have been waiting all year for the big event, the annual Daddy-Daughter dance, and today's the day. Readers join the lively pair as they bounce, floss, and shake across town, all glammed up to impress. But moments before the event, a pipe bursts at school, and Mona has to be quick on her feet, learning that even when the record skips or scratches, you can always find your rhythm again. Newsome shares a familiar yet powerful story about the special love between father and daughter, and about finding silver linings, while giving plenty of chances for families and story hour attendees to find reason to dance. Mohammed's artwork shines as a colorful scrapbook come to life, adding depth to Mona's relationship with Daddy on the endpapers. The collaboration between author and illustrator is on full display, showcasing the bond between father and daughter, but also reflecting the real world in its stellar depiction of all kinds of families. VERDICT A joyful family-centric addition to all collections.—Bill Ives - Copyright 2025 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
Booklist - 10/01/2025 Mona and her daddy have been dancing together since she was a baby, but today is special because the annual daddy-daughter dance is happening at the community center. Mona and her dad head out to buy Mona a dress at the shopping plaza. She also gets her nails and hair done while Daddy practices his silly dance moves. Looking good in their finest purple duds, Mona and her father arrive at the community center to find that the dance has been canceled. Disappointed, they begin walking home, but as they pass the park, Daddy turns on some music and starts to dance by the park gazebo. Pretty soon, other fathers and daughters join them, a joyful reminder of making the best of a less-than-ideal situation. Energetic collage illustrations highlight the close relationship between Mona and her father. At times, the pages look like a scrapbook, adding interesting details, such as decals, stickers, and cut paper. Mona’s family is Black and beautifully shown with different skin tones, and the book further showcases diversity within the community at large. - Copyright 2025 Booklist.
