Anyone familiar with the world of tap knows the name Savion Glover. Castrovilla and Freeman's energetic biography puts him on the map for the picture-book set by tracing his rhythmic path from womb to Broadway, including his first dance class at age seven, when "soul meets sole." Percussive verses lay out his journey and triumphs, while a joyful cacophony surrounds Glover's movements, "RIFFITY, SPIFFITY, BOMPITY, ROMPITY, / CLAP, CLAP, CLAP!" The kinetic quality of the book's subject is just as present in Coretta Scott King Honor Book illustrator Freeman's vibrant digital illustrations, which use swooshes, starbursts, and flurries of feet to show Glover in constant motion. Castrovilla pulls in just enough historical context for readers to understand how Glover's unique blend of tap and hip-hop buted in his Tony Award-winning show Bring in 'da Noise, Bring in 'da Funk volutionized the dance form, exorcising tap's roots in racist culture and resurrecting it as something gloriously new. There's always a need for more books on male dancers, and this one pecially when read aloud ll get kids grooving to their own beats.

A look at Savion Glover, the Black tap-dancer extraordinaire who choreographed Bring in 'da Noise, Bring in 'da Funk.In the womb, Savion kicked "to 'da beat." As a toddler, he bounced through the house. He pounded beats on pots and pans. At age 4 he took drum lessons, and, at 7, tap dance. Savion felt rhythm everywhere. At 10, he was dancing in shows, and he learned "hittin' " from the "old-time cats" in Harlem-"expressin' / yourself / with your feet." Eventually, Savion found a way to combine the old-tap-with the new: hip-hop. He choreographed and starred in Bring in 'da Noise, which opened off-Broadway in 1995 and moved to Broadway the following year; the show traced racism in history through tap and integrated hip-hop, transformed theater, tap, and Broadway, and defined Savion's contribution to the art form. In short lines of verse, Castrovilla describes Savion's evolution as an artist. The rhythmic text, while generally fun to read, is a bit awkward; for those without historical or dance backgrounds, some information may be lost on readers-Bring in 'da Noise, for instance, isn't mentioned by name until the afterword. But Freeman's illustrations use unique design and cultural detail to convey energy and movement, paying powerful homage to this legendary artist. (This book was reviewed digitally.)A soaring tribute to a legendary dancer and choreographer. (bibliography) (Picture-book biography. 4-8)

Gr 1–2— This kinetic and exciting picture book biography shares the life story of tap-dancing sensation Savion Glover. Written in simple, flowing verse that "hits" just like a tap shoe, the smooth text is lively, punctuated by beats, and begs to be read out loud. Repetition of end sounds and generous use of onomatopoeia add vitality to each page. The story starts with a focus on Glover's mother's pregnancy and shifts to his upbringing in connection to the arts, beginning drumming and dance lessons at a young age and excelling at both. Readers learn about Glover's breakout role in the New York theater scene at the age 10, and how New York City influenced the development of what he has become known best for—a unique blend of tap dancing and hip hop. As readers follow Glover coming to prominence after choreographing and starring in his own Broadway show that chronicled the history of racism in the United States as expressed through tap, Castrovilla helps readers to imagine what it must feel like to experience music and rhythm the way Glover does in every moment and in any setting, however mundane. Freeman's dynamic illustrations pulse with vitality—Glover is never depicted as still or flat-footed. On each page he is leaping, twirling, or hitting a beat, communicating volumes with his feet. An afterword provides needed details about key experiences in Glover's life. VERDICT Recommended for large nonfiction collections.— Lauren Younger