Dancing with Daddy

Description

Age range 3 to 6 Elsie can't wait to go to her first father-daughter dance. She picked out the perfect dress and has been practicing swirling and swaying in her wheelchair. Elsie's heart pirouettes as she prepares for her special night. With gestures, smiles, and words from a book filled with pictures, she shares her excitement with her family. But when a winter storm comes, she wonders if she'll get the chance to spin and dance her way to a dream come true.

Anitra Rowe Schulte has worked as a journalist for The Kansas City Star and the Sun-Times News Group, as a staff writer for Chicago Public Schools, and as a publicist. She is the mother of three beautiful girls, one of whom has Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome and is the inspiration for Elsie in this book. She lives in the Chicago area, and this is her first picture book. Learn more about her at www.anitraroweschulte.com and follow her at @anitraschulte on Twitter. Ziyue Chen is the Deaf illustrator of a number of children's books, including Mela and the Elephant by Dow Phumiruk, How Women Won the Vote by Susan Campbell Bartoletti, and Rocket-Bye Baby: A Spaceflight Lullaby by Danna Smith. She lives with her loved ones in Singapore. Find out more at www.ziyuechen.com or follow her @ziyuechen on Instagram.

"Refreshingly, Elsie's disability is seamlessly presented as simply another aspect of family life...As she swings and sways in her father's arms, her forehead against his, their love is palpable; Chen's illustrations fairly glow with affection...A heartwarming portrayal of a family embracing disability." -Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "[Anitra] Rowe Schulte uses accessible, rhythmic language...conveying Elsie's thoughts in pink- and red-colored text. Light-filled digital illustrations by [Ziyue] Chen make use of differing angles and dynamic shots, emphasizing the love the family has for one another." -Publishers Weekly "This sweet story is a great addition to any diverse and inclusive library." -TODAY "In this unforgettable debut, Schulte presents an inclusive story that highlights the special bond between father and daughter...With sparkling, colorful illustrations that capture Elsie's expressions and the story's warmth, this heartfelt story is a must-read." -Booklist