Tommy Can't Stop! - Hardcover

Tim Federle was a rambunctious child when he learned that once you put tap shoes on, you are no longer stomping around causing mayhem-you are dancing around causing art. Tim grew up to dance in the original Broadway cast of Disney's The Little Mermaid, and his theater-themed debut novel for middle schoolers, Better Nate Than Ever, was named a New York Times Notable Book of the Year. Say hi at TimFederle.com.
Mark Fearing is from the Midwest but his accent is hard to distinguish after 20 years on the West Coast. He's worked a lot of jobs and made a lot of books including Earthling!, a graphic novel and Oregon Spirit award winner. He lives in Oregon with a daughter who loves to dance, a wife who tries to teach Mark to dance, and two dogs who don't seem to dance. Find out more about Mark at markfearing.com.

Little brother Tommy is a perpetual-motion machine, and he is driving his family bonkers. The tireless tyke bounces like a pogo stick, kicks like a bulldozer, clomps like an elephant and jumps hurdles like an antelope. He never stops, putting his parents and sister into an exhausted state of weary exasperation. Fortunately his sister, attired in a pink tutu, comes up with a solution and hands Tommy a pair of tap shoes. No pink! No tutus! But tap-dance class is a revelation. The teacher also bounces like a pogo stick. No, she informs Tommy, she is performing a "HOP." The teacher kicks like a bulldozer. No, she informs Tommy, she is performing a "BRUSH." Tommy is thrilled and is soon appearing on stage in a solo. Broadway veteran and middle-grade novelist Federle has good fun with language and similes in his picture-book debut. His little tapper is a strong and sturdy boy who finds the perfect outlet for his volcanic energy. Fearing's full-bleed artwork is full of motion, with his Tommy sporting a mop of blond hair and googly eyes. An animated line of dashes that flits around the apartment allows readers to truly appreciate Tommy's energy spurts. An enjoyable performance for both the boisterous and the calm. (Picture book. 4-7) Kirkus"

Tommy is always in motion. He bounces around the house imagining that he's a pogo stick, bulldozer, elephant, and antelope-with the expected consequences for his family's belongs and their patience. Nothing seems able to focus his considerable energies until Tommy's mother drags him to a tap dance class, where a teacher (who's almost as ebullient as Tommy) helps him discover that all of his favorite moves are tap fundamentals (the "brush" move reminds Tommy of a bulldozer, and so on). Federle's (Better Nate Than Ever) narration can veer into cutesiness, and his penchant for parenthetical asides and alliteration-Tommy "clamors when he kicks" and "moans in the minivan"-wears thin. But Fearing's (The Great Thanksgiving Escape) cartooning has the breezy feel of an animated short. The hero's mop hair and wide eyes make him the very picture of irrepressibility, and the arcing, dashed lines that Fearing uses to showcase Tommy's gravity-defying moves become a fun running joke. Ages 3 5. PW"

In his energetic picture-book debut, Federle (Better Nate Than Ever, 2013) once again effectively translates his Broadway experience to the page. Tommy literally can't stop moving. He bounces like a pogo stick, kicks like a bulldozer, and hurdles like an antelope. His frustrated family tries to wear him out with trampoline jumping jacks and one-armed tennis. But it's his sister, clad in a pink tutu, who suggests tap classes. A reluctant Tommy (he must be dragged to the studio) quickly learned that his favorite things to do are actually dance moves, where a bounce is a hop, a kick is a brush, and a hurdle is a leap. Tommy, now in his element, shines onstage while his family can finally sit back and enjoy the show. Brightly colored, bulge-eyed cartoon illustrations capture Tommy in all his frenetic glory, from the cover filled with bouncing Tommys to the final curtain drop. Many children (and their long-suffering families) will relate, and perhaps be inspired to dance on their own. April Mazza Booklist"

PreS-Gr 3 Tommy's family thinks he behaves like an ANIMAL. He just can't keep still. He clomps like an elephant and hurdles like an antelope. Tommy's parents and sister are over it! They decide it is time for a change, and they take turns coming up with ideas to tire Tommy out. But they are the only ones getting tired. Finally, after one-armed tennis and jumping jacks on trampoline, Tommy's sister suggests tap dancing. Tap dancing? No way. Tommy just won't have it, but his mother insists that he gives it a try. What does he discover? The teacher can bounce like a pogo stick and kick like a bulldozer. Tommy is impressed and gives it a go. What do you know? A star is born. Three cheers for Tommy Can't Stop!, an endearing picture book that kids and adults will relate to. The story is a fabulous reminder that all of the qualities that make one unique, even those that seem troublesome, can be used to fulfill a higher purpose. The story also reinforces that boys can dance, too. Gorgeously illustrated in bright colors and cartoonish characters, the pictures add humor and allure to the kid-friendly text. Perfect as a read-aloud or for independent reading. VERDICT Looking for a picture book that has humor, conflict, and a great message? This is it. Amy Shepherd, St. Anne's Episcopal School, Middleton, DE SLJ"