A Place to Dance: How Richard Lamberty Brought Change to the Ballroom by Eric Rosswood, Richard Lamberty and illustrated by Vincent Chen
(read via online reader, due August 2026)
While dance is a popular subject, ballroom dancing is not. Therefore to see a new part of an old theme is fun and seeing it within the LGBTQ world is a great bonus. Richard Lamberty has never been on my radar, or if he was (the few times I would watch ballroom dancing with my mother) I have forgotten. Which seems like it is a sad thing as Lamberty seems like he is a character and half!
The picture book format is easy and quick. The colors are bold, but not overwhelming. Details are medium in amounts and lean towards showing you the people and less the background picture, but that is not forgotten in the shuffle. It is not necessarily for all readers, as dancing is not necessarily something all listeners would be interested in, as there is not a lot of traditional action on the pages, but it will have a devoted following.
Of course, it brings into light gender and dance. We see how Lamberty wanted to lead and follow. Or be the man and woman while dancing. This would lead him to being a great teacher, and help him improve his own style as well. But it was the “tradition of dance” (later the rule of dance) he could not be the “woman” dancing, but always the man. He would have to wear the uniform of ballroom male dancers, until he learned of an event that would change everything. Not only for him, but for the sport itself.
I’m not WOW a 5 out of 5, but I am saying a 4 out of 5 with the potential of a 4.5 due to the included extras.
