Maryann Cocca-Leffler is the author and illustrator of over 40 books for children. She has worked with most major publishers including Random House, HarperCollins and Scholastic.

Enjoy this behind the scenes interview about the inspiration for her new book, My Dance Recital (Random House). Through her book, Maryann wants to excite children to keep dancing or for those who have yet to sign up for lessons, to start dancing!

Q: What inspired you to write this book? Was there a need you felt needed to be addressed?

A: My inspiration for My Dance Recital came as I waited for my own daughter, Kristin, to perform at her dance recital for Kathy Blake Dance Studios, (Amherst, NH). I sat for hours watching dancers flutter across the stage. I especially enjoyed the spontaneity of the tiny dancers, (when the audience was never sure what would happen next.) On this afternoon, a group of young fairy ballerinas prepared to come on stage. From behind the curtain the audience could hear crying, "Daddy, I can't!" When the curtain opened there were several small dancers dressed in pink along with one large dad doing all the steps. The audience was in hysterics. (What we do for our kids!).

I then shuttled backstage to check on the dancers. After seeing both the performances and the activity backstage, it dawned on me that a Dance Recital is monumental occasion filled with make-up, costumes, laughter, nerves and lots of backstage waiting, not to mention unpredictable moments. I realized that the Recital event would make a great subject for a book. After researching online, bookstores and libraries, I realized there were not many children's books that captured the essence of a Dance Recital. I decided I needed to create one!

Q: Why did you choose to make it an interactive book?

A: Back in my studio, I began sketching and developing my idea. I wanted to capture the movement, thrill and anticipation of a Recital. I began to realize that an interactive book with hidden flaps, doors that open and moveable parts would be a wonderful way to convey the excitement and energy of a dance recital. I created a small book dummy, which incorporated my interactive elements, including the twirling ballerina, and sent it to Random House Publishers in NYC for consideration. They liked my idea. Over the next year, I created the illustrations and worked with a paper engineer to get the moving elements to "dance".

Q: What do you hope "My Dance Recital" will teach to or inspire in young dancers?

A: Now that My Dance Recital is available, I hope that readers, young and old, will enjoy reliving the special moments of their dance recital or inspire non dancers to dance! The book itself is just plain FUN! A celebration! I'm hoping, on Dance Recital day, that instead of giving flowers that wilt, parents or grandparents will consider giving my book as a lasting memory of Recital Day.

Q: How can parents and teachers use your book with their children and students?

A: Books, in their own right, are teaching tools. As a parent, anytime we can find a book that matches the interests of our child and excites them enough to read and love a book, is one step towards making them life long readers. The interactive elements in my book are icing on the cake. The reader literally gets involved it the book by opening flaps, turning wheels and seeing the dancing twirl, as the character goes through the day of her dance recital, from make-up, costumes, backstage waiting, practicing, dancing on stage and ending with the final bow! (which includes a real fabric tutu!)

Q: Is there anything else you'd like to share about "My Dance Recital" that would make a difference for dance studio owners?

A: As a dance studio owner, I'm sure you want children to love dance in all aspects of their lives. My Dance Recital will hopefully remind a child about their very special Dance Recital long after the lights go dark. Through my book, I want to excite children to keep dancing or for those who have yet to sign up for lessons, to start dancing!

BIO

Maryann Cocca-Leffler is the author and illustrator of over 40 books for children. She has worked with most major publishers including Random House, HarperCollins and Scholastic. Her new books include, My Dance Recital (Random House). and Princess K.I.M. and The Lie that Grew (Albert Whitman & Co). Her book, Mr. Tanen's Ties (Albert Whitman & Co) was the winner of the Indiana Hoosier Book Award and the Florida Reading Award. Her childhood inspired book, Bus Route to Boston (Boyd's Mills Press) won the Parents Choice Award. She holds a BFA in Illustration from the Massachusetts College of Art. Maryann lives in New Hampshire with her family, including her dancing daughter, Kristin, who inspired this book.

Please visit her website at: http://www.maryanncoccaleffler.com

To order wholesale copies of "My Dance Recital" for your dance studio please contact Random House's customer service at 1-800-733-3000

My Dance Recital
Written & Illustrated by Maryann Cocca-Leffler
Published by Robin Corey Books, Random House, NY
ISBN 9780375847080 $11.99