There are so many great nonfiction books about dance. We don't have as many as I would like in our library, but I found lots of great ones at the St. Mary's County Public Library. A few of the ones I found I will be adding to our collection. I love when books combined a topic, such as dance and the alphabet. There are two really great ones that I found at the public library. One of the alphabet books is Alphabet of Dance by Barbie Schwaeber. The second is A Dictionary of Dance by Liz Murphy. Click here for a summary on Goodreads. I leaned so much from each of the books. I was not a dancer when I was younger, so the books were a great introduction to the dance world. 
There is one book that I found that looks interesting for those aspiring dancers is Learn to Speak Dance: A Guide to Creating, Performing, and Promoting Your Moves by Ann-Marie Williams. Click here for a summary on Goodreads. Because a lot of great information including history of dance and some great tips on costumes, performances, and even a potential career. Anybody who aspires to be a dancer might want to check into this book. Ann-Maire Williams, the author has had many years of dance experience.
If you haven't read any of his Knuffle Bunny books you really should run to the library and check them out. The first book is a story many parents can relate to Trixie, the little girl in the story, leaves something very important someplace. The story is great, but the illustrations really make the story for me. Mo Willems took real photographs (in black and white) and used them as the background for the story. Then he drew his characters and placed them on top of the background. It is really neat to look at the real photographs with these drawn characters on top. 
Mo Willems Elephant and Piggie books can't be beat. I love them all, though my favorite is We Are In A Book! This book was a Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor winner a few years ago. I always try to celebrate Friendiversary in February. This is when the first Elephant and Pigge book was published. They are some of the most well loved books in our HES Library. I also have a lot of fun with Kindergarten with Elephant and Piggie's Dance Party on Mo Willems site. They kids have so much fun and there are so many giggles! The newest Elephant and Piggie book is called I really like Slop! I can't wait to get it for the HES Media Center!!
I think my favorite Mo Willems book is Leonardo the Terrible Monster. Click here for a summary on Goodreads. This book is a sweet tale about friendship. I loved reading it to my classes. It is one that I never get tired of reading aloud. And I love when the students create their own monsters after we have read it. They can be so creative!
November is National Picture Book Month. This celebration is a recent one for schools, libraries, authors and readers to promote literacy at all ages. Many times in the library we hear these words, "I want to check out a chapter book!" Chapter books are certainly wonderful, but often students want to rush to chapter books because they think picture books are too easy. 
I spy a really great chapter book being read. It is Jelly Bean by Cynthia Lord. This book is the first in the Shelter Pet Squad series. The second book in the series Merlin and will be published on September 29, 2015. I can't wait!! The second picture of Katie and Elizabeth was taken in front of the world's largest weather vane. It is located in Montague, Michigan which is about 753 miles away from HES.
