My review on the charming new boardbook,Tractor Dance, started on a Saturday during wintertime. The weather was very cold but my little grandgirls didn't mind because they were by the fireplace ready to listen to a fabulous new children's book by the amazing writer, Matt Forrest Esenwine.
The girls were intrigued by a colorful peek of the board book,Tractor Dance, that was found on my computer. Mr. Matt emailed me the unpublished version of his book, in the form of a arc. This was before the official release date of Tractor Dance and the first time the two older grandgirls (ages 5 and 7 years at that time) had seen an arc. The day was cold but no one minded. It was a special day for reading in front of a fireplace.
Sierra, my oldest grand daughter, was a fantastic reader so she read the book aloud to her middle sister, Aurora. While reading Sierra decided to pause and write down words that were new to her. I was surprised that she was interested in broadening her vocabulary in such a clever way but I remember as a young child that my teacher suggested that I become a logophile. I was pleased that this new book had a collection of words that would expand children's vocabulary. Sierra chose the following words to remember: hoedown, jig, rib, baler, promenading, backhoe, combine, drawl, and polka. My middle granddaughter, Aurora, enjoyed the read aloud. After the story was told, we left the computer open in front of the fireplace for additional reads.
As time past and the girls visited my home, the youngest granddaughter, Lila who was almost two-years-old, became curious about the new book, Tractor Dance. Mr. Matt sent me the board book so Lila and her sisters could take took time perusing the book and enjoying the illustrations. After listening to the read aloud, Lila loved the title so much that she repeated it as she danced around the great room with the board book.
The colorful illustrations created by Jen Taylor, and the format of the book is a gem that will engage children from pre-school to early elementary grades. My younger two grandgirls used the illustrations to pair the story line with the colorful visuals before I inquired on what they thought of this unique board book.
Girls, what makes this story by Mr. Matt interesting to you?" Sierra stated, "It was a good story about a farm tractor that enjoyed having fun late at night with his truck friends." Aurora, enjoyed listening to the story and Lila loved holding the book and turning the thick pages. I was delighted that the girls enjoyed the story as much as they did. The little grandgirls and I decided that we loved the storyline, especially the dancing parts. Since we never lived on a farm we enjoyed Tractor's evening hoedown with friends. The girls also liked listening to the rhymes in the story. Each page ofTractor Dance brought one more event of an evening dance party that lasted all night long. The moon was bright and the stars sparkling while the farm vehicles and animals spent the night dancing away until they were exhausted from party fun.
This book is ideal for children. Perhaps, Tractor Dance, will become not only book for a child's library but one for pre-school and early elementary classes. You may wish to ask your local librarians to purchase the book for children read alouds. This book will become a favorite for children who love to read, dance, and perhaps write a short story on what Tractor will do next.
Thank you Matt Forrest Esenwine and Jen Taylor for
offering such a fun, rhyming story book for younger children.
Let's do a "shimmy-shake " and applaud the author who wrote a charming story that children can relate to and also to the illustrator for the adorably, friendly characters who share the magic of night on the farm. Let's not forget the publisher, Susan Schadt Press, who brought this beloved book into the world of literacy bliss. Althought this book is labeled for babies to 3-year-olds you can see by the excitement my grandgirls had for the book that early elementary children will find delight also. Perhaps, the book will encourage readers to create their own story or poem about a fun summer night such as my quick write cherita poem below.
Hoedown Boogie Magic
listen to the evening sounds
echoing through the night sky
bringing magical pleasure all around
dance along with Tractor and his farm friends
be bold, dream of a hoedown that makes you swoon
wake up to the morning light wishing for more this June
Happy Summer Reading to All!
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It's time for Poetry Friday to bring poetry goodness to all.
Thank you to my friendly photographer, author, poet, and publisher, Carol Labuzzetta, for hosting this week's Poetry Friday Roundup. She is back from her trip to Yosemite and excited about her various projects.
Tenaya Lake, Yosemite National Park. © Carol Labuzzetta, 2025
