PreS-Gr 3-In this delightful addition to the series, Stan yearns "to be a famous star, like a baseball player.-[with] crowds of people to clap and cheer for me." His thoughts of baseball are interrupted when tap dancers Tonya and Ted come to town, captivating a crowd and offering to give lessons, culminating in a performance. Stan takes out the money he's been saving for a new glove to buy lessons and rent shoes. He is joined by other Mud Flat animals, who initially stumble and fall, but keep practicing. With more enthusiasm than talent, Stan overcomes disappointment when he is placed in charge of publicity and lemonade in lieu of a spot in the program. Tonya and Ted skip town before the show-enriched by the townspeople's trust but lonely at heart. Stan displays great leadership by putting on an "Any How" lineup of imaginative, inspired student acts, supplanted with several surprises, including an appearance by Tonya and Ted. Stevenson's trademark pen-and-watercolor illustrations lovingly depict exuberant characters and provide lots of special details, including labeled dance steps-"tap- shuffle- flap- hop- scuff-. " Children will enjoy this zany story with its tribute to the power of dreams, community, kindness, and perseverance.-Laura Scott, Farmington Community Library, MI (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Seventh in the series, Flying Feet: A Mud Flat Story by James Stevenson brings dreams of dancing to the small town. When "the famous dance team of Tonya and Ted" roll into Mud Flat, Stan and everyone else wants to be in their big show. The dancers, however, turn out to be deceivers. Stan decides the show must go on, and the town pulls together to give a fantastic performance. Stevenson's pen-and-ink and watercolor wash artwork paints characters as light on their toes as ever. (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

Gr. 1-3. When Tonya and Ted blow into Mud Flat with their van advertising Trillion o' Taps, citizens quickly sign up for dancing lessons and rent tap shoes. Nearly everyone practices dancing, and the entire town plans the big show. Only the curmudgeon Mr. Cusspid scoffs at the event. When Tonya and Ted leave town in the dark of night, the show goes forward anyway, and even Mr. Cusspid makes a surprise appearance. Like the Music Man Professor Howard Hill, Tonya and Ted are beguiling con artists, but the Mud Flat folks prove even more charming. Fans of the earlier Mud Flat books will recognize the familiar format and characters and will cheer them in this new episode. Stevenson's watercolor illustrations provide their customary wit and humor. All that's missing is a soundtrack. --Linda Perkins Copyright 2004 Booklist

When tap-dancing con artists Tonya and Ted blow into town, would-be showman (and terrible dancer) Stan signs up for lessons. But when Tonya and Ted split right before the big show, Stan saves the day, proving that he's a born showman. Less ensemble-based than previous Mud Flat books, this one is just as deftly written, rewarding, and, with its droll watercolor vignettes of the all-animal cast, humorous. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.