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Young readers will love the interactive component of this series and will feel like a calm princess by the end of this installment.
Gentle movement and meditation from the Dance-It-Out series by Once Upon a Dance, created by an award-winning dance teacher, featuring her ballerina daughter.
Petunia woke to yet another rainy day, and she feels particularly gloomy about being stuck inside. By letting ordinary objects and elements of her daily routine spark her imagination, she finds a happy calm she wants to share.
Ballerina Konora is there to help readers connect with movement and focus the breath.
Kid approved: "It was really really really really really really really good." -Age 6
Princess Petunia is bored with a capital B. Stuck inside for six days because of a relentless rainstorm, she has not been able to see her friends and seems to have exhausted every indoor activity she can think of. When her attention is drawn to her window, however, she begins to imagine herself doing things outside by moving her body. Swaying like a swing, melting like ice cream on a hot day, and pretending to blow enormous bubbles, Petunia finds a comforting sense of calm within herself.
Movement has a soothing effect on children and adults alike; couple that with delightful storytelling, and it becomes the Dance it Out series by Once Upon a Dance. This second book in the series begins with an introduction by Ballerina Konora, the primary subject of all the stories in this rapidly growing collection. She invites readers to safely participate in the story at whatever level is comfortable for them.
Petunia’s tale has three layers which can be consumed equally well in tandem or independently. The first layer features whimsical illustrations of Petunia in a variety of settings. Beginning in her bedroom, attentive readers will recognize details which foreshadow later events in the narrative. Second is the text itself, written for a young elementary school-aged audience because of its length. Important words are presented in different fonts and styles to draw attention to them, and the story often addresses readers directly. Third is the movement section, which explains motions that correspond to events or objects found on that page in the story. These descriptions are accompanied by photographs of Ballerina Konora—dressed as a princess herself—demonstrating the actions.
Young readers will love the interactive component of this series and will feel like a calm princess by the end of this installment. Inviting multiple readings, children will soon be able to act out this story from memory with their bodies. Fans of the Dancing Shapes series will love this new addition, and all readers will connect with this charming character and her vivid imagination.
Reviewed by
I review books for kids, tweens, and teens and blog about them on my website. To date, I have over 500 published reviews. Sign up for my monthly newsletter at www.maryrlanni.com to get recommendations straight to your inbox! I primarily write reviews, but will create video reviews upon request.
Synopsis
Gentle movement and meditation from the Dance-It-Out series by Once Upon a Dance, created by an award-winning dance teacher, featuring her ballerina daughter.
Petunia woke to yet another rainy day, and she feels particularly gloomy about being stuck inside. By letting ordinary objects and elements of her daily routine spark her imagination, she finds a happy calm she wants to share.
Ballerina Konora is there to help readers connect with movement and focus the breath.
Kid approved: "It was really really really really really really really good." -Age 6
About the author
—> 28 books to spark imagination and inspire children to MOVE, breathe, and connect —> Created by a mom-daughter team passionate about books and dance, who donate royalties —> Visit DanceStories.com for details/local sellers. Also available via your local bookstore, library, Amazon, or Bookshop.org. view profile
Published on February 28, 2021
2000 words
Worked with a Reedsy professional 🏆
Genre: Picture Books
Reviewed by
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