The Digger Dance, written by Judy Ann Sadler and illustrated by Yong Ling Kang. Owlkids, 2022. $19.95 ages 3 and up

 

"After breakfast, 
I plow through some books. 

I dig in the toy box. 

I build a block house, 
then bulldoze it down. 

But it's still raining.

There's nothing to do." 

Here's another look at construction ... of a very different kind than the lodge the beavers built so competently yesterday. Nonetheless, it deals with construction and the lure of the vehicles used to ensure great things happen. 

Spending time in Victoria when Sicily was young led us to walks that included any nearby construction site in the downtown area. There were many places to visit, and much to see. She was thoroughly intrigued by the huge machines, and the jobs they did. She was able to name each one, as so many fans are able to do. If you have someone in your family fascinated by digger machines, you might consider this fun book for purchase as a gift for the holidays. Your little one will be impressed. 

The young boy who narrates this story is very interested in the diggers in the field near his grandmother's house. She tells him those diggers can dance. He is a touch doubtful. Off he goes to see them dance. To his great disappointment, they are no longer working. He will have to wait. When he checks the following rainy day, the diggers remain in place. Inside, he uses all of his construction skills to pass the time while he waits again. 

Grandma knows he needs a distraction. So, they bake some cookies! 

"I try to scoop sugar, 
but it's hard as a rock. 

I have some excavating to do! 

My arm is a high hoe, 
my hand holds a bucket. 

I scrape and thump to 
crush all the lumps, 
then shovel smooth sugar 
into the bowl." 

As they work, the child uses all the terms used for the many machines he is waiting to see at work. When the sky finally clears, he is off to watch with genuine interest and enthusiasm. The diggers do dance, and he is happy to be witness to those dance moves. Doing the digger dance all the way back to Grandma's, he is ready to taste the cookies they made together. 

Spirited artwork created with watercolor and pencil enhance the telling by bringing the diggers to glorious light for young fans. The changing perspectives and the clear look at the diggers in action will hold attention. Equally fun it is to watch grandmother and grandson take on the task of baking cookies, while comparing their work to the work the diggers do.