Footwork: The Story of Fred and Adele Astaire

by Roxane Orgill, Stephane Jorisch (Illustrator)

Overview

"Informative, with spry visuals. . . . A class act." — Publishers Weekly (starred review)

In this fascinating story of child stars who dance their way to knockout success on Broadway and beyond, Roxane Orgill and Stéphane Jorisch team up for a bravura performance, capturing the sophistication, fluidity, and grace of two of the biggest names in dance history, Fred and Adele Astaire. Back matter includes an author’s note, suggestions for further reading, suggested resources, and an index.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780763662158
Publisher:	Candlewick Press
Publication date:	03/12/2013
Series:	Candlewick Biographies
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	48
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.30(d)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

 

Editorial Reviews

Orgill and Jorisch…partner together here with a grace worthy of their subjects.
—Booklist (starred review)

A class act.
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Engrossing…Jorisch's digitally enhanced, mixed-media illustrations feature delicately inked line and a color palette evoking vintage costumery.
—Kirkus Reviews

The pleasantly written text and appealing, detailed ink, watercolor, and gouache illustrations provide a charming glimpse into the world of vaudeville.
—School Library Journal

Roxane Orgill’s words and Stephane Jorisch’s illustrations make us feel Fred’s amazing energy for extending his art and his audience.
—Chicago Tribune

Wonderful…Beautifully colored, singular illustrations highlight the tale.
—Journal Inquirer

A wonderful introduction to Fred [Astaire], written in a neat, elegant style and with some very lovely illustrations.
—AlsoDances.net

Interesting and absorbing.
—Sunday Republican

[A] lively narrative…accompanied by whimsical ink-and-color illustrations…Beautiful!
—Faith & Family

Lively words and…illustrations…manage to get the Astaire magic right.
—Washington Post Book World

This beautifully written story will delight young people who have an interest in dance, theatre, and the movies.
—Looking Glass Review

From the Publisher

Orgill's lively words and Stephane Jorisch's illustrations, with their delicate inkwork, Art Deco stylings and ingenious mix of black-and-white and color, manage to get the Astaire magic right.
—The Washington Post

Abby McGanney Nolan

Focusing on Fred and Adele's childhood and acts, Orgill chronicles the siblings' hard work as child dancers on the vaudeville and small-time music-hall circuits. Interesting details-such as the break taken so that the younger Fred could catch up with Adele's physical development-are delivered in engrossing, if occasionally inelegant prose. ("The children went to school. For the first time, Fred sat at a desk in a classroom smelling of chalk.") The narrative concludes by touching on Fred's success as a solo artist and film star, as his and Adele's paths diverge after 30 years as a duo. Jorisch's digitally enhanced, mixed-media illustrations feature delicately inked line and a color palette evoking vintage costumery-a lovely approach for spotlighting both the dancers on stage and the architectural details of early-20th-century cityscapes. The handsome layout alternates pages of text facing bordered illustrations, with bordered text blocks against full-bleed double spreads. Pair this with aural and visual treats from the performers' stellar careers. (selected bibliography of adult titles, selected discography, suggested films, television, website) (Picture book/biography. 6-10)

Kirkus Reviews