Tapping Feet

Slap! Flap! Tap! What's that sound? That's the sound of Tap!

In the 1800s, African and Irish Americans found that they had something in common: Both cultures shared a love of dance. As people came together in New York City, the dance style "Tap" grew with each new dancer. New ideas and new moves were inspired by their personal cultures. Read along to hear about the blending of Irish and African backgrounds, and of course keep an ear out for Slaps, Flaps, and lots and lots of Taps!

Moira Rose Donohue began writing for children after her defection from the practice of banking law. Since then, she has written over 40 books for children. Most of what she writes is nonfiction – the truth and nothing but! Her titles have been Junior Library Guild selections and received star reviews from Booklist and School Library Journal. She recently won the Florida Book Award Silver Medal for Young Children's Literature. An Irish American, Moira was born and raised in New York City. She now lives full-time with her dog in St. Petersburg, FL, where she continues to take tap dancing lessons.

Colin Bootman was born in Trinidad, where the vibrant palette of the Caribbean influenced his painting. He moved to the United States when he was seven, where he studied art and illustration. Mr. Bootman has illustrated many books for children, winning the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Award in 2004. In 2017, Mr. Bootman won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Works for Children. All his award-winning illustrations show how brilliantly his art frames moments of life. He is currently living in New York, NY.