Dancing with Daddy

Inspired by the author’s three daughters, particularly one who has Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome, this picture book follows Elsie, a light-skinned girl with WHS who uses a Pragmatic Organization Dynamic Display book to communicate, a gastronomy tube to eat, and a wheelchair to supplement her orthotics. Elsie is looking forward to a father-daughter dance, excited to wear her new red dress and bow that “matches Daddy’s soccer jersey.” As snow falls, Elsie worries that the event will be canceled. But the morning brings positive news, and she and her dad and sisters dance the night away. In her picture book debut, Rowe Schulte uses accessible, rhythmic language (“Inside, daughters dashed. Ponytails bounced. Dresses flounced”), conveying Elsie’s thoughts in pink- and red-colored text. Light-filled digital illustrations by Chen make use of differing angles and dynamic shots, emphasizing the love the family has for one another. Front matter features an author’s note. Ages 3–7. (Dec.)