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
Drag items up and down to your preferred order then select the "Save Order" button.
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...
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...
Ten-Gallon Bart and the Wild West Show
Crummel, Susan Stevens.
Paper Book
Ten-Gallon Bart is bored, bored, bored...until Buffalo Chip's Wild West Show rolls into town. Dog City's hero is sure he can win the Bull Riding contest and become the star of the show! But there's a BIG problem. He has to ride the notorious Crazy Bull. And there's an even BIGGER problem. Crazy...
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...
That stinks! : a punny show-and-tell
Katz, Alan.
Paper Book
From humorist Alan Katz and illustrator Stephen Gilpin comes a very punny picture book about a series of show-and-tell misunderstandings. When the teacher says it's too rainy to go outside for recess and the kids must stay inside for show and tell, she gets an unexpected reaction...
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...
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, and play are...
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.
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...
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...
Tallulah's tap shoes
Singer, Marilyn.
Paper Book
It's summer, and Tallulah is excited about going to dance camp. She'll get to take plenty of ballet classes. She'll have to take tap, too, and she's NOT excited about that. She's never taken tap before, so she'll be a beginning beginner. And she's right--tap class is not much fun. Plus there's a...
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...
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...

Library staff! You can create and contribute to lists. Contact your catalog administrator or log in here.