Tommy Can't Stop! by Tim Federle

Tommy Can't Stop! Reviews

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  Debbie Ohi

  Adored TOMMY CAN'T STOP! I loved the joyous energy in the illustrations and the great wordplay and humor in the text makes this story a wonderful read-a-loud. Highly recommended.
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  Donalyn

  I had the pleasure of hearing this book read aloud by my friend, Colby, while visiting his 3rd grade class. The kids loved the book and we had a great discussion about its message.
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  Mary Ann

  Young Tommy is in perpetual motion, bouncing like a pogo-stick, hollering while he hurdles and clomping like an elephant. He's driving his family crazy ("'He's an animal,' his sister pouts to their parents.") but you can tell from the illustrations that this is a little guy who's just got to move. When his mom drags him to tap class, he's really not sure it's for him. But when the teacher begins bouncing, he's hooked!
  
  I love the way this book shows Tommy discovering a joyful, positive way to channel his energy. When the tap teacher kicks, he's amazed that she kicks like a bulldozer -- but she says, "I call this a brush! (Everyone brushes, but Tommy brushes boldest.)" Kids--quiet ones and rambunctious ones--will feel this joy coming through both the illustrations and the words, as Tommy discovers how being true to himself helps him be a star.
  
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  Emma

  I don't know. Not a fan of the artwork which doesn't help but this story didn't seem to have a lot of substance or resolution either. The writing is cute but it's also a long enough picture book that the kids who would sit through it might not want cute. I definitely got the feeling I wasn't the target audience here but I'm also not sure who is or what the applications for this one might be.
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  Carrie Charley Brown

  There are tons of Tommys in this world. This story celebrates their need to find the right place to exercise their energy and turn it into talent. I love that Tommy's family didn't just stick an ADHD label on him and consider putting him on medicine. They tried everything they could think of to help Tommy find an outlet for his energy. A great model for every educator to follow, as well.
• 
  Peter

  A very cute book about a rambunctious little boy who has too much energy! Having tried everything to tire him out so he'll stop moving, Tommy's family enrolls him in tap class. Initially apprehensive, he finds that they do all of the things he loves to do! Finally, they've found a perfect outlet for him!
• 
  Kimberly

  I thought this one was awesome--everyone knows a kid like Tommy. Love that the author acknowledges that a little boy's initial reaction to dance lessons might be that they are too girly--but Tommy dances his way to stardom! So cute and fun.
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  Evan

  I love Tommy's irrepressible energy! I know a lot of kids that are this rambunctious and it was fun to see how Tommy was ultimately able to channel his natural momentum into dancing. Author Tim Federle can do no wrong!
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  Emily Scheinman

  Great read aloud!
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  Jesse

  A wonderful reminder that energy can be destructive if misplaced, but can launch us on a path of excellence if aimed in the right direction! I loved that Tommy chose to dedicate his energy in a path not typically represented for boys and that he excelled!
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  Diane

  This is the library book my grandson picked for me to read to him today. Tommy is too energetic for his family. Finally they find an activity that Tommy enjoys pouring all his energy into and becomes a star.
• 
  Nicola

  I like the gender diversity of having a male character dancing (and that was enough for me to read it several times to Miss 2) but I found it boring to read and the writing didn't appeal.
• 
  Akoss

  I wonder if this was written more for parents than kids. Lol
  But I still think it's a cute book.
• 
  Dewey

  Super cute, and I love that it went from a negative, wishing he would change his behavior to "look at how talented this kid is!" when they redirected that behavior into something more productive.
• 
  Kelly

  This is a picture book about a boy that is filled with energy...lots of it.
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  Megan

  A nice message about channeling perceived weaknesses into an activity. A good read for my five year old with ADHD.
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  Kristen Dutkiewicz

  This boy just cannot stop moving! It was okay... kindergarten didn’t enjoy it very much.
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  Julie

  The sister adding “away” to the end of “encourage Tommy to run” was a little too nasty for my taste in a kid’s book, especially one that will be shared with real life Tommys.
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  Sarah Bigham

  Child who has trouble sitting still (and who doesn't?) finds his calling on the stage
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  Kathleen

  Neurodivergent Content: MC has ADHD
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  kim

  cute
• 
  Sara

  An overall fun read about a boy who learns to express his endless energy through tap dancing.
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  #KindnessTrioLibrary Librarian

  Donations to the #KindnessTrioLibrary 2019
  
  BookCrossing.com BCID: 910-15511780
  
  
  http://bookcrossing.com/journal/15511...
• 
  Brittany

  Tommy can't stop moving so he goes to a tap class and LOVES it. A good book for boys that think dance classes are only for girls!
• 
  San Diego Book Review

  Parents of boys will quickly empathize with those of the hyperactive protagonist in Tim Federle’s Tommy Can’t Stop. Tommy really can’t stop moving. He alliteratively boasts when he bounces and hollers when he hurdles. Ironically, it’s Tommy’s family that’s exhausted trying to tire him. Finally, his sister suggests he try a dance class. The reluctant Tommy quickly realizes that his energy and athleticism make him a star dancer.
  Unlike most picture books, it is primarily the supporting cast who struggle to overcome a challenge. Tommy’s resistance to attending a dance class seems minor by comparison. The use of parenthetical comments is inconsistent; sometimes for narration (but not all narration), and other times for dialog (but not all dialog). Read the entire review at
  http://www.sandiegobookreview.com/tom...
  
  Reviewed by Henry Herz
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  Crystal

  This is a very fun book about a young person who has endless amounts of energy. I love that his family tries lots of things. I think many students can relate to not being able to sit still. Even if they don't have that experience themselves, they are sure to know someone else with that issue. It's very easy to relate to Tommy. I also enjoy that Tommy is dancing because I don't see nearly enough books that have boys dancing.
  
  I may be alone in this, but I found the parenthesis a bit distracting. They are used when someone is talking in an aside, but also at other times for no apparent reason. More than half of the pages with text have words in parenthesis and they didn't all seem necessary.
  
  I will be sharing this with students for sure. I know they will enjoy it.
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  Josianne Fitzgerald

  One reviewer calls this an exuberant picture book, and the adjective is spot on. Tommy can't keep still and his family is in despair over how to tire him out until he discovers tap dancing, which he instantly loves and for which he has lots of talent.
  
  A story about finding your passion and talent.
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  Sandra

  I really enjoyed this book about Tommy who's so full of energy he can't stand still. His family is exhausted from trying to keep him under control and have tried everything they can think of to tire him out but nothing has worked until they take him to tap dance class with his sister. Although Tommy is reluctant and WON'T wear a tutu he quickly realizes that the dance teacher is a kindred soul and with different ways of expressing the same moves Tommy has at home, he finds a kindred spirit who shows him that being yourself can lead to greatness. Great book about redirecting that access energy into new ways.