Children's books about the theater 🎭

January 30, 2025

Mini issue: The theater

I am 110% a person who prefers to be behind the scenes, which is ironic given that in my career, I am almost always the person front and center, running the show. If I’d ever been involved in drama in high school — the formalized kind that ended in performances, not the other, usually boy-related kind, at least for me — I would have been the stage crew, and happy to be.

What I love the most is being an audience member, though, at least in the actual theater. I don’t want to know how the sausage gets made, I just want to experience the magic, and there is so much magic to experience.

Here’s a little roundup of children’s books about the theater (if I’ve reviewed any of them in the past, I’ve linked to those here) and two new reviews of books that fit this category.

And I’ll repeat what I say with every mini issue — this list isn’t exhaustive, so if you have a theater book to recommend, please leave a comment!

Picture books

• Corduroy Takes a Bow by Viola Davis

• Moon Theater by Etienne Delessert

• Stagestruck by Tomie DePaola

• The Little Moon Theatre by Irene Haas

• Angel Mae: A Tale of Trotter Street by Shirley Hughes

• The Philharmonic Gets Dressed by Karla Kuskin

• Lucky Lazlo by Steve Light

• The Theater by Anya McKee

• Curtain Up! A Book for Young Performers by Dirk McLean

• Rifka Takes a Bow by Betty Rosenberg Perlov

• Alex and the Magic Theater by Marion Ryder

• How Does the Show Go On? An Introduction to the Theater by Thomas Schumacher (nonfiction)

• Because by Mo Willems

Chapter books for older readers, or read-alouds

• The Swish of the Curtain by Pamela Brown

• Summerlost by Ally Condie

• Replay by Sharon Creech

• Better Nate Than Never by Tim Federle

• Short by Holly Goldberg Sloan

• Stand Up, Yumi Chung! by Jessica Kim

• Theater Shoes by Noel Streatfield

• The Chance to Fly by Ali Stroker and Stacy Davidowitz

• Drama by Raina Telgemeier (graphic novel)

• Surviving the Applewhites by Stephanie S. Tolan

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Micro review: Moses Sees a Play by Isaac Millman (2004)

One of Millman’s four lovely Moses titles, this captivating story introduces children ages 5-8 to the world of theater through the eyes of a young boy who is deaf. When Moses and his classmates attend a performance of Cinderella interpreted in American Sign Language, they experience the magic of storytelling in a way that is wonderfully inclusive — but it’s when Moses connects with a hearing child who knows neither English nor ASL that the beauty of nonverbal communication shines through.

Millman’s pencil and watercolor illustrations are charming and their clear depiction of various ASL signs on nearly every page provides a unique blend of entertainment and education. The fact that there is also an engaging narrative here — one that highlights the importance of accessibility in the arts and the joy of live theater — stops this one from being too instructive and keeps it fun and interesting for young readers.

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Micro review: Take it From the Top by Claire Swinarski (2024)

To find out more about Claire Swinarski’s excellent books, check out her website

Last year when I absolutely could not stop listening to What Happened to Rachel Riley?, one of my best audiobooks of 2024, I wondered where Claire Swinarski has been hiding, or more likely, why I apparently haven’t been paying attention. A Wisconsin author (right under my nose!) writing fiction for adults as well as heartfelt, even gripping middle-grade novels that delve into complex topics relevant to adolescents or anyone who even remotely remembers being one? Sign me up!

So I wasn’t surprised when her newest, Take it From the Top, didn’t disappoint me — with its compelling story, set over six summers at a theater camp, where 13-year-old BFFs Eowyn and Jules suddenly have to navigate new challenges in their friendship.

The thing that Swinarski does best, here and otherwise — and this is not a small skill, let me be clear — is present multiple points of view, sharing various sides of the same story, making your thoughts and feelings about the situation not at all clear even to yourself. If this sounds as complicated as being 13, well, it is, and she does it so, so well.

That this immersive read manages to bring to life the lively atmosphere of summer camp and the world of musical theater alongside a deep understanding of the struggles of this age group, from grief and privilege to friendship and trying to figure out who the heck you are, is just a further testament to Swinarski’s talent.

The themes here are serious but not too mature for readers as young as 9 years old, though I think they probably hit best for ages 12-13. (On the other hand, they also hit for this 42-year-old — because that’s what the best middle-grade does.)

Highly recommended.

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Read good books and take good care 😘
Sarah