Drumbeat in Our Feet

by Patricia Keeler, Júlio Leitão, Patricia Keeler (Illustrator)

Overview

A journey into the deep-rooted traditions, artistry, and energetic spirit that make up the world of African dance, past and present.

In captivating detail, this title illuminates the beauty, history, and energy of African dance. Readers of all ages will delight in this drum-beating, hand-clapping, foot-stomping celebration of culture and tradition.

Come along as we explore the fascinating origins of African dance, as rich and diverse as the continent itself. Discover unique rituals, colorful costumes, and rhythmic instruments. Learn about dances that have been passed from generation to generation through the ages. See those very same dances come alive with a new generation of dancers. In captivating detail Drumbeat In Our Feet captures the beauty, history, and energy of African dance. Readers of all ages will delight in this drum-beating, hand-clapping, foot-stomping celebration of culture and tradition.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781620140796
Publisher:	Lee & Low Books
Publication date:	04/15/2014
Pages:	32
Product dimensions:	10.88(w) x 8.88(h) x 0.50(d)
Lexile:	AD950L (what's this?)
Age Range:	6 - 10 Years

About the Author

Patricia A. Keeler first fell in love with African dance after watching a Batoto Yetu performance at the Victory Theater in New York City. Pursuing the idea for a book, Keeler met Júlio Leitão and spent many weekends observing the young dancers in his troupe. With this book, Keeler hopes to introduce the richness of African dance to young readers everywhere. She lives with her husband in Hoboken, New Jersey.

Júlio Leitão was born in Luena, Angola. He came to the United States in 1985 and has taught dance for more than fifteen years. Leitão founded Batoto Yetu, an African dance troupe for children in 1990. He views sharing the dances of his homeland with a new generation as a way to "make sure our firsthand account of history is passed on." Leitão lives with his wife and daughter in New York City.

Patricia A. Keeler first fell in love with African dance after watching a Batoto Yetu performance at the Victory Theater in New York City. Pursuing the idea for a book, Keeler met Júlio Leitão and spent many weekends observing the young dancers in his troupe. With this book, Keeler hopes to introduce the richness of African dance to young readers everywhere. She lives with her husband in Hoboken, New Jersey.

Editorial Reviews

"This well-designed, visually appealing book opens with a concise overview of the origins of African dance traditions that highlights the diversity of African peoples, cultures, and landscapes. . . Keeler's watercolor-and-pencil illustrations impart a sense of vibrancy, movement, and joy. . . A fresh, uplifting, and captivating offering." — School Library Journal

"Dynamic illustrations and a lyrical narrative. . . Colorful, motion-filled images. . . lively, information-packed book." — Publishers Weekly

"Should prompt further study of its fascinating subject." — Kirkus Reviews

"This joyful picture book uses watercolor-and-pencil artwork to show African dances from all over the continent and kids 'coming from Brooklyn, coming from Harlem, the Bronx and down the subway lines' to learn them at the Harlem's Batoto Yetu dance studio. On each left-hand page is a sepia-tone illustration of a traditional African dance, accompanied by detailed notes about its origin, the performance, and the cultural tradition. Opposite pages include a rhythmic verse and a full-color picture of children in their American studio learning the dance, painting their faces and bodies with traditional designs, and putting on a show. Eschewing primitive stereotypes and generic connections, Keeler presents a wealth of detailed information about call-and-response, musical instruments, image dances, and much more. The busy art celebrates both the rich diversity of African dance traditions and the joy of passing them on. A map, a selection of photos of kids at the school, and a brief bibliography are appended." — Booklist

From the Publisher

With an "Eh-way!" and "Doom, doom, da!" Keeler (A Huge Hog Is a Big Pig) and Leitao bring African dance to life. Dynamic illustrations and a lyrical narrative depict children in New York City ("Coming from Brooklyn, coming from Harlem,/ The Bronx and down the subway lines") who are part of an African dance troupe. Colorful, motion-filled images of them during practice and performance are juxtaposed with expository side notes and sepia-toned art that set a second stage in Africa. For example, as the American dancers paint their bodies with white dots, the backdrop shows a scene of long-ago African villagers dancing in similarly painted designs: "Thinking about the ancestors/ Once young like us-/ Dancing on/ African soil/ Dancing under/ African clouds/ .../ Breathing African air." The accompanying sidebar explains how the white dots represent ancestral spirits. Each spread spotlights a different aspect of African dance, from its traditions to its instruments, putting into context what the young U.S. dancers are reenacting on the pages. Successfully straddling two continents, this rhythmic work unites them in the last scene, as brightly clad dancers from the New York studio appear on an African landscape. Author notes introduce the Harlem-based dance troupe, Batoto Yetu, which Leitao founded. A map of Africa and a pronunciation guide for African words used in the text wrap up this lively, information-packed book. Ages 5-10. (Oct.) Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

Publishers Weekly

Gr 1-5-This well-designed, visually appealing book opens with a concise overview of the origins of African dance traditions that highlights the diversity of African peoples, cultures, and landscapes. Other two-page chapters cover how dances are passed on to children, different types of dances, image dances (those that mimic animal movements), costumes and body painting, honoring spirits and ancestors, musical instruments, drums, call-and-response songs, masked dancers, and performance. Keeler's watercolor-and-pencil illustrations impart a sense of vibrancy, movement, and joy. Most of the text is presented on the left-hand quarter of each spread, printed over sepia-toned illustrations that reflect the content. On the right, a large, colorful painting shows a troupe of American youngsters learning about that particular aspect of dance and preparing for a performance, along with a few short, rhythmic sentences. Back matter includes a note about Batoto Yetu, a Harlem, NY-based dance troupe founded by Leitao; a map of Africa; and a pronunciation guide. A fresh, uplifting, and captivating offering.-Mary N. Oluonye, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

School Library Journal

A young reader's guide to African dance. A dozen two-page spreads treat different aspects of the art form, each spread featuring a mini-essay (150 words or so) on the left, and a bit of descriptive text-cum-illustration on the right. For example, "Passing the Traditions" explains how dances are connected to myths and lore, which the older generation teaches the younger; the illustration shows adult dancers instructing a group of children. "Image Dances" explains a whole group of dances that mimic animal movements; dancing children with fancy costumes fill the illustration. "Spirits and Ancestors" traces the connection between dancing and honoring the past; the illustration shows dancers painting their bodies with white dots, each representing a departed family member. Keeler's lyrical paintings, in watercolor and colored pencil, capture important details but not the emotion or power of the movement. There's also an article with pictures about Batoto Yetu, a Harlem-based dance group, a pronunciation guide and a brief bibliography. Should prompt further study of its fascinating subject. (Picture book. 5-10)

Kirkus Reviews