STOMPIN’ AT THE SAVOY

A young girl is magically transported to the legendary jazz ballroom. It’s the day of Mindy’s dance recital, and she’s so nervous she can’t eat her dinner. In the next room, her three lively aunts—Willa Mae, Naomi and Norma—are doing their usual after-dinner jazz dancing. Mindy stomps to her room, slams the door and flings herself down on her bed. The next thing she knows, she’s awakened by a beating drum suspended in midair. She follows it to the glittering lights of the Savoy Ballroom, where she’s welcomed by a tall cat in a white suit. Inside, Chick Webb’s orchestra, including Benny Goodman on clarinet, plays lively jazz, and the floor is filled with couples, including her three aunts. Mindy’s easily coaxed to dance, with “happy feet.” A lift from her partner sends her up, up, up and back to her bed, landing softly. She’s ready for the recital. Yarde’s gorgeous illustrations, rendered in gouache and pastel, raise the modest story to something special. (Picture book. 5-9)