Footloose by Kenny Loggins and Dean Pitchford

Ill. by Tim Bowers. Allen & Unwin, 2016. ISBN 9781633221185
(Age: 4-8) Recommended. Put on your dancing shoes, it is time to introduce Kenny Loggin's Footloose to a new generation of dancers. With a bonus CD and rewritten catchy lyrics, children can join in the fun of an all night dancing party with Jack the zookeeper and a great cast of animal characters.
As you begin the lively story, tall giraffes and curious monkeys stare at you, waiting for the zoo to close. Jack the zookeeper checks the time, waiting for the visitors to leave the zoo, tonight is the full moon and something extra special is planned. There is an air of anticipation, at nightfall, the chimpanzees slip on their dancing shoes ready to rock and roll. They are dressed in tie-dyed t-shirts, fringed vests, starry shoes and colourful headbands. Wolves in tuxedos howl as they dance with their bright canes and Mr. DJ Elephant plays all the hip-hopping music for the rhinos, llamas, giraffes and kangaroos. Milo the choreographer teaches them all to tango and the zoo is a fun and happening place, even Jack is enjoying the music. As dawn approaches all the animals are footloose.
Kenny Loggins originally wrote the Footloose lyrics in the early eighties and has now reworked them into an energizing song for today's young dancers. This bold bright picture book filled with an abundance of dancing animals brings the lyrics to life. Tim Bowers uses vibrant colours, brush-stroked backgrounds to display the fluid and funky dance styles showcased by an array of zoo animals in high spirits.
The CD includes a second song The Monkey Town Medley with elements from Animal Faire, Jungle Town and Aba Daba Honeymoon, another fun dance-along tune. Footloose is perfect for families, childcare centres, preschools and Junior Primary classes to encourage movement and dance.
Rhyllis Bignell