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.

 

A perfect choice for young active listeners

Brielle’s Birthday Ball by Once Upon a Dance is a whimsical story written with toddlers and early-readers in mind. This magical picture book illustrated by Stella Mongodi captures the essence of childhood birthday excitement as Brielle receives a magical gift that takes her to an out-of-this-world birthday celebration. The authors add another layer of fun with interactive dance movements that prime the child’s imagination to act out the story. It’s a perfect choice for young active listeners. It engages them to get up and move as the story unfolds. For young pre-readers, realistic illustrations add visual interest and make it an easy “pretend to read” book for kids who know the story. This book has the potential to be a childhood favorite, and the original storyline will invite re-readings for both story listeners and early readers.

 

Book Review: Brielle's Birthday Ball

I recommend this book to children interested in dance, and to those who enjoy fantastical stories ages 3-7. I’m happy to give this book 5 stars and recommend it along with other Dance-It-Out! Creative Movement Stories for Young Movers books like: Princess Naomi Helps a Unicorn and Joey Finds His Jump!

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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.

About the Author: Once Upon a Dance 

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

Their catalog (25 books across four series) offers positive role models, whimsical stories, and diverse characters. Alongside movement and dance, the books feature themes of empathy, friendship, the value of practice, self-acceptance, sibling relationships, anger management, and working toward goals.

Ballerina Konora is living her dreams as a full-fledged ballet Company Artist. Teacher Terrel arrived in Seattle after a Peace Corps stint teaching English and dance. Complementing decades of teaching dance, she worked in early childhood education and for non-profits supporting kids. Terrel was recognized by her local City Council for "embodying the spirit of partnership and commitment to children in our community" for her work with young dancers. She serves on Pacific Northwest Ballet's Board of Directors and on a National Dance Education Organization committee.

Stories are lovingly crafted, and royalties are donated to charity partners. A few highlighted honors:

• 40+ Book Awards

• Family Choice Award

• Mom’s Choice Gold Award Recipient

• PenCraft Award: First Place

• Firebird Book Award: First Place

• Royal Dragonfly Book Award: First Place

• Pinnacle Book Achievement Award - Best Book Juvenile Fiction

• Outstanding Creator Awards: Best Children's Book, Top 10 Author of 2022

• Kirkus Reviews Starred Review

Visit DanceStories.com to learn about the mother-daughter team, browse books, or discover learning resources.

Follow Once Upon a Dance on social media for sneak peaks, dance photos, and the latest on their goofy cats.

Fast-paced magical tale for readers young and old

Author Valinoria Troy delivers an enthralling middle-grade fantasy adventure full of bravery, love, and magical creatures in book 3 of the Lucky Diamond Trilogy. The Great Forest continues the adventures of the twins Cathy and Alan and their siblings with the help of the magical gifts left to them by their parents. 

About the book: The Great Forest

This book opens with the children living in the castle. The king of the diamonds has asked the twins to enter the Great Forest on their eleventh birthday to finish the cleansing of the land following Queen Rose’s demise. But before they even have their birthday party, the castle is attacked by boars, and the twins are kidnapped and carried into the hostile Great Forest surrounded by deadly plants.

While all this is going on, Susan and Vicky accompany King Paul (to town) and find themselves fighting a deadly black fog that eats people and Yvonne finds a counterfeit note from the twins and doesn't know they've been kidnapped!

Book review: The Great Forest by Valinoria Troy

While The Great Forest’s targeted audience is 8–12-year-olds, I'd say this book is for anyone who is never too old for magical fantasy, fighting monsters, and a whole host of magical beasts, including the cursed trees of the Great Forest and a black fog ready to devour every living thing in its wake.

If you’ve read the first two books in this trilogy, I can tell you that this one is faster paced from the get-go with adventure at every turn. When the story does slow down, it is typically for something that tugs at the heartstrings. I love the characters. Troy did an incredible job developing her characters. Throughout the series, they continue to grow in depth as they work through the barrage of challenges thrown at them.

While this book is written for middle schoolers I recommend it to all ages, especially those who enjoyed the action of the Pendrangon series or the magic of Narnia. I am happy to give The Great Forest 5 stars and recommend the entire series to the whole family.

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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.

 

About author Valninoia Troy

Valinora Troy has been writing since she could read, if not earlier. Her first book, started at the age of six, featured a girl finding a magic diamond. It took her all summer to write the first few pages. Since then, she has written many stories, both short and full length novels. THE LUCKY DIAMOND, her first full length middle grade children's fantasy, was published November 2021. Its sequel REVENGE OF QUEEN ROSE followed in June 2022.