Books in Motion®: DANCE + LITERACY, an award-nominated, evidence- based summer reading program that uses dance to promote literacy by focusing on Common Core Standards for Reading Literature returns to libraries across Kern County this summer. KDA, Kern County Library, and12 Kern County dance organizations are proud to launch Books in Motion: DANCE + LITERACY with the goal of reducing summer slide by encouraging reading and promoting healthy living through movement and dance.
Families are invited to visit Kern County library branches between July 8 – August 3 to watch dance performances based upon 12 children’s books. Featuring books like “Cat in the Hat” by Dr. Suess and “Little Red Riding Hood” by Mara Alerpin, children will experience the magic of a book brought to life through an artistic performance. To further enhance learning, children will also learn a short dance that coincides with the book’s theme and create an accompanying craft to promote role playing.
The Books in Motion program is intentional about building home libraries and promoting daily reading adventures. Participating children will have the chance to collect all 12 books by visiting one of each of the performances and receiving a FREE book at the completion of the show.
Books in Motion will feature multilingual performances consisting of English and Spanish translation, as well as American Sign Language (ASL) services hosted by the Independent Living Center of Kern County. Locally-owned Russo’s Books Store will provide over 2,000 FREE books to the program with the support of generous donors.
The 8th annual Books in Motion program is made possible through the creative vision of Kern County dance artists. 12 contracted Kern County dance organizations have been working since the spring to bring books to life through delightful performances and skilled choreography. Alexia & Victoria Tap Dance Co., Aloha Entertainment, Ballet Forklorico Huaztecalli, Bakersfield City Ballet, Civic Dance Center, DAT Krew, Heather Benes and the East Kern Ragtag Revels, J and M Dance Center, McLaughlin Dance Collective, Sosa Creatives Dance Academy, Spotlight Dance Academy, and Spotlight Academy of the Arts will all be featured this summer via 39 performances at 19 locations.
Books in Motion is geared for children in the early literacy stages (K-3rd grade) and is designed to tap into their imagination and encourage them to read. For some, reading is a concept that is too foreign to understand due to age and brain development. Books in Motion will bypass this intangible feeling by allowing children to see the magic of a book laid out with real characters coming to life. Children do not have to read the words – they can read the dancers’ movements to understand the story. By tapping into curiosity, children are motivated to explore literacy, which leads them back to the written words that brought the book to life.
Books in Motion has reached over 10,000 children and has given away nearly 6,500 free books since 2016.
Books in Motion 2024 is made possible by generous support from 23ABC, Arts Council of Kern County, California Arts Council, Kern Family Health Care, Robert Grimm Family Foundation, Virginia and Alfred Harrell Foundation, and the Wonderful Company.
“101 Dalmatians” adapted by Pamela Bobowicz and illustrated by Disney Storybook Art Team
“B is for Ballet: A Dance Alphabet” written by John Robert Allman and illustrated by Rachael Dean
“Bluey: The Pool/La Piscina” by Penguin Young Readers Licenses and translated by Isabel Mendoza
“Cat in the Hat” written and illustrated by Dr. Seuss
“Giraffes Can’t Dance” written by Giles Andreae and illustrated by Guy Parker-Rees
“Lilo and Stitch” written by Walt Disney and illustrated by Golden Books
“Little Red Riding Hood” written by Mara Alerpin and illustrated by Loretta Schauer
“Oh, The Places You’ll Go!” written and illustrated by Dr. Seuss
“Pepe And The Parade” written by Tracey Kyle and illustrated by Mirelle Ortega
“Peter Pan” written by Walt Disney and illustrated by Al Dempster
“Stomp, Wiggle, Clap, and Tap” written by Rachelle Burk and illustrated by Alyssa De Asis
“The Lorax” written and illustrated by Dr. Seuss
Kern County Libraries:
July 8, 2024 @ 12 PM – Beale Memorial, “Peter Pan” performed by Civic Dance Center ^
July 8, 2024 @ 3 PM – Wasco Branch, “Little Red Riding Hood” performed by Sosa Creatives Dance Academy
July 10, 2024 @ 4 PM – Wilson Branch, “Stomp, Wiggle, Clap, & Tap” performed by DAT Krew Academy
July 11, 2024 @ 11:30 AM – Delano Branch, “Giraffes Can’t Dance” performed by Alexia & Victoria Tap Dance Co. ^
July 11, 2024 @ 3 PM – McFarland Branch, “Little Red Riding Hood” performed by Sosa Creatives Dance Academy
July 12, 2024 @ 12 PM – Delano Branch, “B is For Ballet: A Dance Alphabet” performed by Bakersfield City Ballet
July 12, 2024 @ 4 PM – Tehachapi Branch, “The Lorax” performed by J&M Dance Center ^
July 13, 2024 @ 10:30 AM – Beale Memorial, “Giraffes Can’t Dance” performed by Alexia & Victoria Tap Dance Co.
July 13, 2024 @ 2:30 PM – Kern River Valley Branch, “The Lorax” performed by J&M Dance Center
July 15, 2024 @ 12 PM – Wasco Branch, “Stomp, Wiggle, Clap, & Tap” performed by DAT Krew Academy ^
July 16, 2024 @ 1 PM – Wilson Branch, “Bluey: The Pool/La Piscina” performed by Spotlight Dance Academy ^*
July 17, 2024 @ 4 PM – Wilson Branch, “Pepe And The Parade” performed by Ballet Folklorico Huaztecalli
July 18, 2024 @ 12 PM – Holloway-Gonzales Branch, “Bluey: The Pool/La Piscina” performed by Spotlight Dance Academy *
July 20, 2024 @ 10:30 AM – Rathbun Branch, “Stomp, Wiggle, Clap, & Tap” performed by DAT Krew Academy
July 20, 2024 @ 2 PM – Frazier Park Branch, “Giraffes Can’t Dance” performed by Alexia & Victoria Tap Dance Co.
July 22, 2024 @ 12 PM- Wasco Branch, “The Lorax” performed by J&M Dance Center
July 22, 2024 @ 3 PM – Beale Memorial, “101 Dalmatians” performed by Spotlight Academy of the Arts
July 23, 2024 @ 12 PM – Baker Branch, “Cat in the Hat” performed by McLaughlin Dance Collective
July 23, 2024 @ 3 PM – Holloway-Gonzales Branch, “101 Dalmatians” performed by Spotlight Academy of the Arts ^
July 24, 2024 @ 4 PM – Delano Branch, “Pepe And The Parade” performed by Ballet Folklorico Huaztecalli ^*
July 25, 2024 @ 12 PM – Buttonwillow Branch, “B is For Ballet: A Dance Alphabet” performed by Bakersfield City Ballet ^
July 25, 2024 @ 4 PM – Northeast Branch, “Peter Pan” performed by Civic Dance Center
July 26, 2024 @ 1 PM – Ridgecrest Branch, “Oh, The Places You’ll Go!” performed by Heather Benes and the East Kern Ragtag Revels
July 27, 2024 @ 12 PM – Wilson Branch, “Lilo & Stitch” performed by Aloha Entertainment
July 27, 2024 @ 3 PM – McFarland Branch, “Pepe And The Parade” performed by Ballet Folklorico Huaztecalli *
July 29, 2024 @ 12 PM – Taft Branch, “Lilo & Stitch” performed by Aloha Entertainment ^
July 29, 2024 @ 3 PM – Wasco Branch, “Oh, The Places You’ll Go!” performed by Heather Benes and the East Kern Ragtag Revels
July 30, 2024 @ 12 PM – Baker Branch, “Little Red Riding Hood” performed by Sosa Creatives Dance Academy ^
July 31, 2024 @ 12 PM – Delano Branch, “Little Red Riding Hood” performed by Sosa Creatives Dance Academy
August 1, 2024 @ 12 PM – Northeast Branch, “Cat in the Hat” performed by McLaughlin Dance Collective ^
August 1, 2024 @ 3 PM – Beale Memorial, “Cat in the Hat” performed by McLaughlin Dance Collective
August 2, 2024 @ 11:30 AM – Boron Branch, “Oh, The Places You’ll Go!” performed by Heather Benes and the East Kern Ragtag Revels
August 2, 2024 @ 2:30 PM – Rosamond Branch, “Oh, The Places You’ll Go!” performed by Heather Benes and the East Kern Ragtag Revels ^
August 3, 2024 @ 10:30 AM – Lamont Branch, “B is For Ballet: A Dance Alphabet” performed by Bakersfield City Ballet
August 3, 2024 @ 2:30 PM – Beale Memorial, “Pepe And The Parade” performed by Ballet Folklorico Huaztecalli *
City of Shafter Library and Learning Center:
July 10, 2024 @ 12:30 PM – Shafter Library and Learning Center, “Peter Pan” performed by Civic Dance Center
July 17, 2024 @ 12:30 PM – Shafter Library and Learning Center, “Bluey: The Pool/La Piscina” performed by Spotlight Dance Academy *
July 24, 2024 @ 12:30 PM – Shafter Library and Learning Center, “101 Dalmatians” performed by Spotlight Academy of the Arts
July 31, 2024 @ 4 PM – Shafter Library and Learning Center, “Lilo & Stitch” performed by Aloha Entertainment
^ Performances with American Sign Language Services
* Performances in English and Spanish
Alexia Nankill and Victoria Marchetti are independent tap dance artists who love to connect music with dance. Born and raised in Bakersfield, Alexia and Victoria have a deep passion for tap and how dance can inspire others. Victoria has danced with Civic Dance Center and Bakersfield City Ballet and volunteered for Kern Dance Alliance, serving as the 2021 student intern and a 2022 junior board member. Alexia has also danced at Civic Dance Center and is an artist through dance, music, and art. Spending many years volunteering for Books in Motion, Victoria and Alexia are excited to create her Books in Motion experience for the first time this year.
Aloha Entertainment by Polynesian Spice is a family owned and operated group that has been bringing island entertainment to Bakersfield for over 20 years. Their mission is to share their appreciation and love of the culture, songs, and dances of the Pacific Islands. As a halau (Hawaiian dance school) comprised of family (ohana) and Polynesians at heart, their goal is to preserve and exhibit the authenticity of the Hawaiian culture and dance by sharing their Aloha Spirit throughout the community. They offer classes for all ages. They hope you will join them for a culturally educational experience and a fun way to exercise! Aloha Entertainment by Polynesian Spice has participated in BIM since 2020. www.alohaentertainmentps.com
Bakersfield City Ballet is Bakersfield’s premier pre-professional ballet company. Their mission is to inspire and enrich our community and foster a love for the arts in youth through dance. As a pre-professional company, BCB serves as a stepping stone between studio training and a college dance program or professional contract. Their annual performances provide a live artistic cultural experience for our community, with an emphasis on classical and contemporary styles of dance. Bakersfield City Ballet is committed to making dance accessible to the widest possible audience through annual performances, educational programs, media, and other outreach efforts. Bakersfield City Ballet participated in BIM since 2019. www.bakersfieldcityballet.org
Ballet Folklorico Huaztecalli is a local non-profit group filled with passionate and dedicated dancers united by love for the art of dance. We enjoy sharing traditional Mexican folk dancing throughout the community. Founded in 1994 by Jerry Fierro, our dance team is made up of diverse and talented kids, youth, and adults. Each bring a unique perspective and energy to every performance. We work hard to perfect our craft, but never forget to have fun and enjoy the journey. 2024 will be our first time participating in BIM.
Civic Dance Center believes that there are no shortcuts to growth and development, and only through time and quality instruction will each dancer experience improvement. They welcome dancers of all ages and skill levels to come and share in the joy, learning, and development in the art of dance. They offer many classes to choose from, as well as many talented, professional, and knowledgeable instructors to teach them. 2023 was Civic Dance Center’s first time participating in BIM. www.civicdancecenter.com
DAT Krew Academy is a non-profit dance and performing arts organization located in Bakersfield, Ca founded in 2014 by owner/instructor, Luther Gray and assistant Brushay Taylor. DAT Krew’s mission is to inspire today’s youth through art and expression by providing a healthy, creative and social alternative to gang violence, crime, and addiction worldwide. DAT Krew has participated in BIM since 2021. www.datkrew661.com
Heather Benes has been creating dance experiences in East Kern and the Antelope Valley since 1985, when she directed a full length Nutcracker ballet for Cerro Coso Community College. She opened Mojave Movement Arts Center in 1993, offering classes in ballet, jazz, and tap for students from Ridgecrest to Pearblossom. She also directed the dance program at the Palmdale Playhouse from 1999 to 2018, creating such works as The Snow Queen, Hansel and Gretel, The Pied Piper, Little Red Riding Hood, and several abridged versions of the Nutcracker. She earned an M.A. and an M.S. and has taught dance and dance-related subjects at a number of colleges and universities, including California State University, California, University of Kansas, University of California, Irvine, and Scripps College. Currently, she teaches ballet at the OneCore Dance Studio in Rosamond and at the Palmdale Playhouse. Ms. Benes has been a member of KDA for 8 years and Heather Benes and the East Kern Ragtag Revels have participated in BIM performances since 2017.
J&M Dance Academy is award-winning dance studio located in Tehachapi, CA offering professional instruction from experienced dance educators. Offering classes to students 2 and up, J&M offers instruction in ballet modern, jazz, tap, hop hip, just to name a few. The studio participates annually in state and national dance competitions, often achieving the highest awards and rankings at many nationally-recognized dance conventions. J&M is proud to serve the high desert communities and has been participating in BIM since 2023. http://jmdance.center/home.html
McLaughlin Dance Collective started as a way to guide Bakersfield dancers towards their dreams, give them an opportunity to share their gifts with their community, and bring joy to Kern County through community events. They have been a part of Kern Dance Alliance’s Books in Motion since 2021 and performed as a guest artist for Ballet California and North County Dance and Performing Arts Foundation. Under the direction of Kristen McLaughlin and assistant director Jenai Wilcox, this community company is adding new and exciting events to their 2024 season. @mclaughlindancecollective
Sosa Creatives Dance Academy is Kern County’s newest dance organization focused on promoting classical ballet throughout the Central Valley. Directed by Pamela Sosa, Sosa Creatives Dance Academy intends to reach diverse audiences and promote the love of dance through the diverse representation of dancing bodies. 2024 will be Sosa Creatives Dance Academy first time participating in BIM.
Since 2011, Spotlight Dance Academy’s main goal has been to provide quality dance education and a positive outlet at an affordable cost for the youth of Kern County. Proudly a subdivision of a full performing and visual arts school, Spotlight Academy of the Arts, SDA offers an expanded curriculum and takes pride in setting the bar high for our students in order to help them achieve their personal goals in the performing arts. Spotlight Dance Academy has participated in BIM since 2018. www.SpotlightBakersfield.com
Spotlight Academy of the Arts is Kern County’s premier performing and visual arts school offering classes in all areas of the arts including dance, theatre, voice, music, photography, video production, graphic design, on-camera training, and more. Spotlight’s signature program “The Triple Threat Program” offers students industry-style, technique-focused instruction in the three pillars of the performing arts: singing, dancing, and acting, as well as proper education on how to become a well-rounded performer. Their goals are to help our students grow as performers, enhance their natural talents, build confidence while encouraging individuality, and nurture their dreams and ambitions in the arts, whether it’s excelling in their school programs, auditioning for a local show, getting into their dream college, or even having a career in Hollywood or Broadway. With a new education building, an expanded curriculum, and over a decade of experience of serving the youth of Kern County through the arts, husband and wife directing team Sharida Rejon-Rodriguez and Bertin Rodriguez strive to train and mentor the next generation of performers and creators. 2022 was Spotlight Academy of the Arts first BIM performance. www.SpotlightBakersfield.com
Have you enjoyed a Books in Motion performance? Please take 2 minutes to fill out our assessment!
Independent Living Center of Kern County embodies the values of disability culture and Independent Living philosophy, which creates a new social paradigm and emphasizes that people with disabilities are the best experts on their own needs, they have crucial and valuable perspective to contribute to society, and are deserving of equal opportunity to decide how to live, work, and take part in their communities. Independent Living Center of Kern County offered BIM ASL services for the first time in 2023.
Russo’s Books is a local, independent book store serving Bakersfield since 1989. They provide exceptional customer service and value the importance of family and education by actively supporting our community. Russo’s will return in 2024 as the exclusive BIM book supplier.
Shafter Learning Center and Library nurtures the seeds of discovery, learning, and connection, and help spread those roots across our community
Books in Motion features story-telling, performance, choreography, and crafting.
Story-telling + Performance – Children will listen to the narration of a children’s book while viewing an accompanying dance performance.
Dance – Children learn/perform choreography in an injury-free, nurturing environment from dancers based upon the Books in Motion text. Kinesthetic learning, attitude, and confidence are emphasized during the class.
Small Group Crafting – Children create crafts corresponding to the Books in Motion text. Children and guardians are encouraged to work together, producing a creative product reflecting the session’s teachings.
Evaluation– Children are prompted to answer questions via critical thinking about the Books in Motion text reflecting the Common Core Standards for Reading Literature.
Learning how to read begins at birth and continues through 3rd grade. Once a child enters 4th grade, studies show that those that are not proficient readers will find difficulty in adjusting to complicated English, Grammar, and Literature applications. Children begin to read by learning the sounds of spoken word. They begin to understand written language when they are read to, and their comprehension of reading and writing is increased upon entering a formalized education (K-3rd).
Studies also show that not every child learns at the same pace, nor in the same manner; therefore, offering multiple ways to grasp educational applications is necessary for the growth of every child. Books in Motion will provide a visual, aural, verbal, and physical (kinesis) opportunity to engage in literacy. By utilizing kinesis, movement and action replaces more passive forms of learning, such as listening to a lecture. We have all forgotten facts once memorized in a classroom, but we seem to be able to remember dance moves we once learned. By connecting the different ways in which we learn, Books in Motion enables effective understanding and retention of information in addition to infusing abstract literacy concepts with a physical meaning. Because movement allows a student an alternative approach to the information, students learn when they are receptive.
Locally, only 28% of Kern County 3rd graders meet or exceed grade level standards for English Language Arts (Ca Assessment of Student Performance and Progress 2014-15). 15% of Kern County adults have not attained a 9th grade literacy level (US Census Bureau, 2010). 13.9% of Kern County adults lack the basic literacy skills necessary to perform daily job functions (US Census Bureau, 2010), and 16.2% Kern County adults over 25 years are high school dropouts (CA. Dept. of Education, 2014). Books in Motion was conceived to assist in combatting these dismal numbers. Providing a free, hands-on, innovative approach to assisting children with their literacy journey is the main objective. According to the Kern Literacy Council, one of the top factors for predicting school success for students is to increase the number of spoken words for children in early childhood. Books in Motion celebrates the opportunity to increase accessibility to literacy and the arts, while also focusing on the 34% of Kern County residents that do not have an income sufficient to meet basic needs and whose children growing up in these low-income households hear approximately 30 million fewer words by the time they reach their fourth birthday (Report on the Status of Women + Girls in Kern County 2015).
Books in Motion is geared for children in the early literacy stages (K-3rd grade) and is designed to tap into their imagination and encourage them to read. For some, reading is a concept that is too foreign to understand due to age and brain development. Books in Motion will bypass this intangible feeling by allowing children to see the magic of a book laid out with real characters coming to life. Children do not have to read the words – they can read the dancers’ movements to understand the story. By tapping into curiosity, children are motivated to explore literacy, which leads them back to the written words that brought the book to life. Books in Motion has reached over 10,000 children and has given away nearly 6,300 free books since 2016.
- -Create motivation and interest in reading – The Books in Motion bibliography taps into curiosity via dance performances. Children will be motivated to explore literacy, which leads them back to the written words that brought the book to life.
- -Create motivation and encouragement for movement through dance – Children learn choreography to reinforce their critical thinking of the story.
- -Cover Common Core State Standards in Reading Literature for grades K-3rd grade- Books in Motion text covers Common Core Standards for Reading Literature including but not limited to: Ask questions to demonstrate understanding of a text; recount stories from diverse cultures; determine the central message and explain how it is conveyed through key details; describe characters in a story and explain how their actions contribute to the sequence of events.
- -Instill a sense of connection and ownership of reading through listening and viewing of stories- Children dance choreography corresponding with the Books in Motion text. Children produce art reflecting the session’s teachings. Children take a free Books in Motion book home.
- -Foster creative abilities of youth through cultural arts learning- Books in Motion supports literacy development through unified thematic experiences of dance, crafting, and story-telling.
- -Activate Youth Voices- Books in Motion actives youth voices during the craft session with children speaking about the book and creating a craft that coincides with the session’s teachings.
- -Critical Thinking- The Books in Motion evaluation promotes critical thinking by asking questions about the book.
Books in Motion is FREE to all participants and is made possible by generous donations from our community. You can help others to participate in Books in Motion by becoming a donor:
~ $25 affords four free books for one Books in Motion session
~ $100 affords craft supplies for one Books in Motion session
~ $2,000 affords crafts for an entire summer of Books in Motion
~ $15,000 affords free books for an entire summer of Books in Motion
July 10, 2024: ABC/KERO Channel 23: First Books in Motion performance of the season brings a little magic to Beale Memorial Library
July 3, 2024: BAKERSFIELD CALIFORNIAN: Books in Motion back, bigger than ever
July 2, 2024: ABC/KERO Channel 23: Kern County Library talks ‘Books in Motion’ program
June 19, 2024: ABC/KERO Channel 23: Inspiring new readers and artists: Books in Motion celebrates 8 years in Kern County
July 7, 2023: NBC/KGET Channel 17 :‘Books In Motion’ brings books to life at Kern County Libraries
July 7, 2023: ABC/KERO Channel 23: Kern Dance Alliance holds yearly ‘Books in Motion’ literacy program
July 7, 2022: BAKERSFIELD CALIFORNIAN: Reading is fun-damental for KDA’s Books in Motion
June 22, 2022: ABC/KERO Channel 23: Kern Dance Alliance’s Books in Motion program promotes literacy
June 21, 2022: NBC/KGET Channel 17 : Tiler Peck to read her second book at Kern Dance Alliance’s 6th Annual Books in Motion program
July 10, 2021: ABC/KERO Channel 23: : Books in Motion Inspires Children’s Literacy
July 8, 2021: BAKERSFIELD CALIFORNIAN: Love of reading, dance in sync for Books in Motion
July 3, 2021: ABC/KERO Channel 23: Dance organizations come together to inspire children literacy
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