Recommended Reading for A Man Standing Backpack

Showtime! What kind of performer would you like to be? Enjoy books about dancing, magic shows, and more.

Updated June 3, 2026
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On with the show
Auerbach, Annie.
Paper Book
Splat the Cat can't wait to be in his school play about castles and kings and queens--maybe he'll even get to play a knight! Will Splat find a way to steal the show Join him and his classmates for another hilarious Splat the Cat adventure!
Banana bop! : a monster show
Boynton, Sandra
Paper Book
Introduce little ones to their soon-to-be-favorite word with this seriously silly board book from the one and only Sandra Boynton. Banana Bop! is a book of few words--and most of them are "banana." But we challenge you to find a better word to repeat over and over again...
Let's dance, little Pookie
Boynton, Sandra
Paper Book
Let's do the Pookie Shimmy (Oh, yeah!) in this toe-tapping board book from Sandra Boynton. Are you ready to do the piggy-piggy shake? Then put on your snazzy sneakers and join the dance party as little Pookie boogies to a Pookie-Pookie beat. With Sandra Boynton's signature...
Woodland dance!
Boynton, Sandra
Paper Book
The moose plays the cello. The deer, violin. And it's ONE-two-three, ONE-two-three, time to begin! Destined to be a read-aloud favorite, Woodland Dance is a mystical, waltzing story from beloved author and illustrator Sandra Boynton, and a magical book to share with a...
Barnyard dance!
Boynton, Sandra.
Paper Book
Everybody sing along--because it's time to do-si-do in the barnyard with a high-spirited animal crew! From Boynton on Board, the bestselling series of board books, here is BARNYARD DANCE, with Sandra Boynton's twirling pigs, fiddle-playing cows, and other unforgettable animals. Extra-big, extra...
Maisy goes to a show
Cousins, Lucy
Paper Book
Are you ready for the big show? Maisy and her friends show little ones what it's like to attend their first live performance. Today, Maisy and her friends are off to the theater to see a show starring Flora Fantastica! First they line up to show their tickets. After the usher...
Dancing feet!
Craig, Lindsey.
Paper Book
Clickity!nbsp;Clickity! Long green feet!nbsp;nbsp; Who is dancing that clickity beat? Lizard is dancing on clickity feet. nbsp; Clickity! Clickity! Happy feet! Introducing a get-up-and-dance toddler book-so catchy and rhythmic, you'll...
Llama Llama dance recital fun
Dewdney, Anna
Paper Book
Look out, world-Llama Llama is a TV star! The beloved character, made famous by Anna Dewdney's best-selling picture books, is the star of his own original series, now airing on Netflix. This episode-based Penguin Young Reader tells the story of Llama Llama helping his friend Luna get over her stage...
Meet the Marching Smithereens
Hayes, Ann.
Paper Book
Join the animal musicians of the Marching Smithereens a they introduce the instruments and sounds of the marching band. Brass, percussion, and woodwinds come together in a wildly fun musical ensemble. A rhythmic text offers facts about the band and its instruments. Full color.
Meet the orchestra
Hayes, Ann.
Paper Book
This lyrical romp through the orchestra begins with animal musicians slowly gathering for the evening performance. Poetic descriptions suggest the sounds of the instruments, and lively watercolor illustrations capture the playful essence of each musician and musical instrument. "It's a smashing...
Music time
Hooks, Gwendolyn
Paper Book
In this early chapter book in the popular Confetti Kids series, Henry tries to find a place where he can practice his drums without disturbing his mom. Henry dreams of becoming a rock star drummer and practices at home whenever he can. One day while Henry is drumming, his mom has to...
Violet's music
Johnson, Angela
Paper Book
There's nothing Violet loves more than music, and she plays or sings every chance she gets. But where are the other kids like her-kids who think and dream music all day long? As a baby, in kindergarten, at the beach and the zoo, she never gives up looking for companions. And then one summer day......
The scrambled states of America talent show
Keller, Laurie.
Paper Book
Those wacky scrambled states are back. This time they've come together for a spectacular show featuring their many goofball talents. But just when Indiana (the director) is about to callSHOWTIME!, Georgia gets a bad case of stage fright and can't perform in her juggling act. Will the show...
The story of the incredible orchestra
Koscielniak, Bruce.
Paper Book
Have you ever seen an orchestra perform? What are all those different instruments and how do they all play just the right note at just the right time? In this fact-filled and entertaining picture book, Bruce Koscielniak gives us a lively look at the history of the orchestra and all the...
Jim Henson : the guy who played with puppets
Krull, Kathleen.
Paper Book
Sesame Street and The Muppet Show introduced Jim Henson's Muppets to the world, making Kermit the Frog, Oscar the Grouch, and Big Bird household names. But even as a child in rural Mississippi, listening to the radio and putting on comedy shows for his family, Jim recognized the...
Showtime!
Lyons, Kelly Starling
Paper Book
Ty rocks out with friends in this new book in the Geisel Honor-winning series! Join Ty on his imaginative adventures in Ty's Travels: Showtime, a My First I Can Read story by acclaimed author and illustrator team Kelly Starling Lyons and Niña Mata. Music, imagination,...
Daddy can't dance
Manushkin, Fran
Paper Book
Katie Woo is excited to go a to a special daddy-daughter dance. There's only one problem. Katie's dad keeps stepping on her toes. Can Katie help her daddy with his dance moves? With reader questions, a glossary, an activity, this book is a great choice for libraries.
Katie's noisy music
Manushkin, Fran
Paper Book
Katie loves music, and she'd like to make music of her own. She enjoys all of the instruments her dad and friends play, but none seem right for her. What instrument will match the music in Katie's heart?
Music
McDonald, Jill
Paper Book
Learn from home and explore the world with these fun and easy board books! Every young child loves to listen to music, bang on drums, and pound the keys of a piano. Now here's a Hello, World! board book that can teach babies and toddlers all about musical instruments and the...
I am Jim Henson
Meltzer, Brad
Paper Book
Jim Henson, the creator of the Muppets and Sesame Street, is the 11th hero in the New York Times bestselling picture book biography series for ages 5 to 8. Jim Henson, was always dreaming up something new, and always expressing his belief in the goodness of people....
I want to be a ballerina
Membrino, Anna
Paper Book
When Mia tries to become a ballerina just like her big sister, she discovers that getting the right outfit is just the beginning. Despite great effort, there are lots of mishaps, and Mia doesn't quite become the prima ballerina she hoped to be. But she does finally earn her true reward: time with...
Sue and the music show : the sound of long U
Minden, Cecilia.
Ebook
Learn about the sound of long U, as Sue and her friends perform in a musical show and enjoy a party afterward.
Grimelda and the Spooktacular Pet Show
Murray, Diana
Paper Book
From author Diana Murray and illustrator Heather Ross, of Grimelda: The Very Messy Witch, comes a hilarious sequel starring Grimelda that is reminiscent of Norman Bridwell's classic The Witch Next Door. This time Grimelda is on the search for her spell book so she can win first place her...
Let's make music
Musgrave, Ruth
Paper Book
Drumroll, please! This next book in this lively board book series introduces young children to a variety of musical instruments by "looking," to grasp the concept, then "learning," to find out more. From shaking a tambourine to strumming a ukulele to beating a drum, early readers...
Magic spell
Paschkis, Julie
Paper Book
Award-winning author and illustrator Julie Paschkis casts a spell to transform word play into an entertaining and hilarious picture book that's perfect for reading aloud. With his trusty assistant, Zaza, by his side, magician the Great Aziz can turn a dish into a...
Tap dance troubles
Reid, C. L.
Paper Book
Click. Clack. Tap, tap, tap. Emma just started dance lessons and is determined to learn the routine perfectly. But dance isn't as easy as she had hoped. Thankfully Emma doesn't give up easily! Emma proves that hard work and practice will take those tap dance troubles away in this early chapter book...
Dancing with daddy
Schulte, Anitra Rowe
Paper Book
Winner of the Christopher Award 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...
It's show and tell, Dexter!
Ward, Lindsay
Paper Book
Dexter T. Rexter is going to school. But will anyone like him? Tomorrow is the biggest event ever in Dexter's life: his best friend, Jack, is taking him to school for Show and Tell Day! Dexter has been getting ready for weeks. But now he's a little nervous. What if the other kids don't...
Yoko's show-and-tell
Wells, Rosemary.
Paper Book
When Yoko's grandparents send her a beautiful antique doll named Miki all the way from Japan, Yoko couldn't be happier. She places Miki on her red carpet and brings her candy until Girls' Festival on March 3. Even though Mama said no, Yoko decides to sneak Miki to school for show-and-tell....
Elephants cannot dance!
Willems, Mo.
Paper Book
Mo Willems, award-winning, New York Times best-selling creator of The Pigeon, Knuffle Bunny, and Unlimited Squirrels, presents best friends Elephant Gerald and Piggie.   Gerald is careful. Piggie is not. Piggie cannot help smiling. Gerald can. Gerald...
Hilda must be dancing
Wilson, Karma.
Paper Book
Swisha-swisha Clap! Clap! Jump, Jump, Jump! "Hilda must be dancing!" Hilda Hippo loves to dance! But there's just one problem. When Hilda dances, it sounds like this: Ka-bump! Ka-bump! Crash! Crash! Crash! Thumpity-bump!
Rocking the tide
Yolen, Jane
Paper Book
From acclaimed, prolific author Jane Yolen comes a colorful Level 1 Ready-to-Read story all about a school music concert! The fish are performing a music concert at school. But then they start to worry: "What if a current grabs my strings? What...
Play this book
Young, Jessica
Paper Book
For fans of Press Here, this interactive picture book invites readers to touch and move and "play" with the book. To start our show we need a band--maybe you can lend a hand! There are lots of ways little hands can make music. Each page of this...

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