The Fresh Beat: A Boss Family Groove

by Allison Holker Boss, Shellene Wright (Illustrator)

Overview

In this moving and motivating follow-up to TV personality and celeb dancer Allison Holker Boss’ instant best-seller, Keep Dancing Through, Maddox finds that a fresh cut and some family backup helps him find a new groove, all his own.

Maddox feels off beat when nothing seems to turn out right—losing on the basketball court, missed parties, spilled lemonade, an absolutely funky day.

But then Maddox changes the tune. He decides to get a first big boy haircut, helping him discover a new perspective, and a fresh new beat. And with his family grooving alongside him, there’s nothing he can’t do.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781368098298
Publisher:	Disney Publishing Group
Publication date:	05/06/2025
Series:	Boss Family , #2
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	9.20(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	3 - 7 Years

About the Author

Allison Holker Boss is a pro dancer, on-air personality and Emmy-nominated choreographer on Dancing with the Stars. Best known to television audiences for her amazing performances as a competitor, All-Star dancer and choreographer on FOX’s hit dance competition series So You Think You Can Dance, she also hosted Design Star: Next Gen on HGTV. Prior to that, Allison worked alongside her late husband, Stephen “tWitch” Boss as co-host for Disney’s Fairytale Weddings. Holker Boss makes her home in Los Angeles with her children, Weslie, Maddox, and Zaia. Her first picture book, Keep Dancing Through, was an instant bestseller.

Shellene Wright is a Toronto-based illustrator with a passion for illustrating experiences and emotions through the various stages of life. Her characters are often closely tied to personal experience. From the time she was a small child, she was influenced by the art around her, which helped to build her understanding about art and creativity. Illustration and storytelling have been one of the many avenues that she uses to express her own unique ideas.

Editorial Reviews

12/13/2024

PreS-Gr 3—Maddox has a bad day—nothing seems to go right from losing a basketball game to spilling lemonade at a party—and he decides to get his first "big boy haircut" (confusingly since he appears to be at least eight) that gives him a new perspective. Readers familiar with Boss's debut picture book Keep Dancing Through are more likely to understand the family dynamic in this follow-up as various people help young Maddox, but it's not clear how they are related to him. The illustrations are bright and colorful; emotions are conveyed strongly through Maddox's facial expressions. The refrain "I've got you, and you've got me. We'll dance together through every beat" is repeated four times, illuminating the importance of family togetherness and reminding children they are never alone in their struggles. VERDICT Purchase where the first book is popular.—Carrie Voliva

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