Inventive approach to storytelling for 4-9 year olds

Joey Finds His Jump is a delightful children’s picture book in the Dance-It-Out Creative Movement Story for Young Movers series. The colorful full-page illustrations pull out all the stops and include details designed to capture and hold the imagination as Joey transforms from a sad young kangaroo into a confident jumper filled with the joy of jumping. 

 

Book Review: Joey Finds His Jump

But Joey’s story is more than a happily ever after tale. It not only engages the imagination; it encourages the whole body to participate in Dance-It-Out movements. Throughout the story, the authors incorporate creative movements related to Joey and what he is experiencing. 

It’s an inventive approach to storytelling that introduces another level of active fun while reading and is a perfect choice for kids who get fidgety while being read to, those with an interest in dance, and children who like to play make-believe. And this sweet story is entertaining enough that young readers will enjoy reading it again. I’m happy to award 5 stars for this wondrous picture book. Once Upon a Dance donates all proceeds to charity, and I recommend the entire Dance-It-Out! Creative Movement Stories for Young Movers

 

About the Authors

Once Upon a Dance offers movement, breath, joy, connection, and imagination through stories.

Their catalog of 25 interactive dance books highlights positive messages and role models throughout four main series:

• Dance-It-Out! stories combine whimsical tales with movement and subtle life lessons (spans ages 4-9)
• Dancing Shapes peeks at a professional ballerina's journey, teaches ballet, and explores detail and form (spans ages 6-11)
• Ballet Inspiration and Choreography Concepts deep dives into technique, tips, and insight for aspiring dancers (ages 8-12)
• Prop-Based Dance Stories for Classroom and Anytime Fun debuts in 2023 to encourage scarf and parachute play.

Once Upon a Dance was named a top 10 author of 2022 by Outstanding Creator Awards, and they’ve been honored by over 40 book awards, 1000+ 5-star reviews, and a Kirkus Star. They donate all royalties to charities supporting the arts, animals, environment, or people. Visit DanceStories.com for more info.

https://onceuponadance.com/

https://www.instagram.com/once_uponadance/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/20931758.Once_Upon_a_Dance

https://twitter.com/Terreld2

https://www.facebook.com/OnceUponADanceViralDancing

https://www.amazon.com.br/Once-Upon-a-Dance/e/B08PCB7FRN/

 

As BookHookup, I am a long-time book reviewer and received a free review copy of this book in collaboration with Blackberry Book Tours. I have not been compensated for reviewing or recommending it. Some links in this post are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and affiliate sites.

 

Fast-paced YA fantasy/sci-fi, complex unpredicable plot

Crystal Shards by I.O. Scheffer is book 2 in the Fearghus Academy YA Science Fiction/Fantasy series. In book 1, I met a wide cast of diverse characters and I looked forward to seeing what magical adventures and threats they would endure in book two. I was not disappointed.

About the book: Crystal Shards

The series follows the life of Artesia Addison who, when the story opens, lived in 1864 London in an orphanage as a young teen. When adopted under unusual circumstances, she is taken to another earth-like world where magic is part of life. She attends Fearghus Academy, a school for students gifted with magical abilities. Chrystal Shards picks up where Book 1, October Jewels, left off. It presents a wide range of uniquely flawed characters in Artisia’s life including her best friend Eilam DeForest. Many of these gifted kids carry emotional baggage from life before Fearghus and it adds elements of external and internal conflict that leaves the reader cheering the kids on. 

Book review: Crystal Shards

Crystal Shards delves deeper into the mysteries of the past hinted at in the first book, but the theme is much darker. In some areas, the story may be too troubling for more sensitive readers, as the plot does include the torture of children. It wasn’t super graphic, but I’d say if it were a movie, I’d rate it PG13.

I recommend Crystal Shards to readers who enjoy fast-paced fantasy/sci-fi, a complex plot written with multiple unpredictable threads, and young characters that develop, grow, and change as they learn lessons of life. I think fans of the Magical Arts Academy Series or the Blakemore Paranormal Academy Series will find the mysteries and adventure of Crystal Shards captivating.

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As BookHookup, I am a longtime book reviewer. I received a free review copy of this book from BookTasters and have not received compensation for reviewing or recommending it. Some links in this post are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to amazon.com and affiliate sites.