The Digger Dance

In an immersive, movement-forward readaloud, Sadler explores imagination and imitation as an exuberant young construction fan discovers the grace of enormous excavators. About a nearby work site, “Grandma says the diggers dance.” But the grandchild must wait for work hours and better weather to see them. In the meantime, the intergenerational duo, both portrayed with tan skin, parallel the machines at home, turning cookie-making into a construction project: “My arm is a high hoe,” says the child, preparing to scoop sugar, “my hand holds a bucket.” At last, the weather clears and the two venture outside. Digitally enhanced watercolor and pencil spreads by Kang zoom in on buckets that sweep and plunge as the child mimics their movements. The itchy suspense of the waiting sequence rings true, and in Kang’s hands, the making of cookies offers nearly as much dynamism as the excavators. Ages 3–7. (Oct.)