Friday, October 4, 2024

Imaginative, practical, and inspiring book

If your child dreams of pirouetting across the stage or gracefully leaping in the air, Falling into Dance is the perfect guide to help them get there. This delightful book offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of ballet, narrated through the experiences of Ballerina Kittina and her charming sidekick, Poulette, the dancing chicken. With the help of Ballerina Konora, Kittina provides a rich, practical guide that is as imaginative as it is instructional.

 

Falling into Dance Book Tour

About the book: Falling into Dance

From the very first page, the book captivates with its engaging storytelling and vibrant illustrations. It’s clear that Falling into Dance isn’t just about ballet; it’s about nurturing the spirit of perseverance and dedication in young dancers. The book is packed with invaluable tips on balance and posture, which aren’t just useful for ballet but are beneficial life skills for anyone looking to improve their physical awareness and grace.

One of the standout elements of this book is its honest portrayal of the challenges that come with ballet. The narrative doesn’t shy away from discussing the tough realities, including the rigorous practice and the inevitable falls that come with learning the art form. The book’s advice on falling with purpose, and the creative use of imagination is both practical and inspiring. The idea of falling with purpose, rather than just stumbling, transforms what might seem like setbacks into learning opportunities making the process of learning ballet feel more accessible and less daunting.

 

Falling into Dance

BookHookup book review: Falling into Dance

Falling into Dance is not just a technical manual but is also an entertaining read. The playful inclusion of Poulette and the light-hearted approach to the advice make the book enjoyable for readers of all ages. The mother-daughter team behind the book infuses their expertise with warmth and relatability, ensuring that young dancers—and their families—can appreciate the dedication and joy that ballet brings.

Falling into Dance is an imaginative, practical, and inspiring book that perfectly balances technical advice with an entertaining narrative. Its blend of realism, encouragement, and creativity makes it a five-star read for anyone aspiring to dance or simply looking for an engaging, motivational book for an 8 to12 year-old child in their life. Highly recommended for young dancers and those who support their dreams!

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As BookHookup, I am a longtime book reviewer. I received a free review copy of this book from Blackberry Book Tours 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.

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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.


Wednesday, September 25, 2024

Poignant journey from abusive childhood to self-discovery

Lillian Brummet’s Towards Understanding is a powerful collection of free-form confessional poetry poignantly capturing her journey from an abusive childhood to self-discovery. Written with a contemplative tone, the collection weaves personal struggles, emotional depth, and a path toward healing, balancing heavy themes with moments of clarity and hope.

Towards Understanding

BookHookup review: Towards Understanding

Brummet’s willingness to delve into her raw emotions fosters a genuine connection with readers, making her experiences resonate deeply. Her grappling with feelings of guilt and shame adds layers of complexity, prompting important questions about the validity of these emotions.

This is an emotional read. While the imagery is subtle, the weight of her experiences draws you into her world. A palpable sense of vulnerability evokes feelings of isolation and a profound longing for connection and love. Brummet’s word choices reflect growth and transition, illuminating the lingering hope even amid her struggles.

The interplay of personal and universal themes invites readers to empathize with Brummet’s past while reflecting on their own experiences. This poetry will resonate with many, particularly those seeking healing from their own challenges. I highly recommend Towards Understanding to anyone navigating the complexities of their past, as Brummet’s reflections on growing up in a broken home, enduring her mother’s multiple marriages, and surviving sexual abuse create a poignant backdrop that informs her emotional landscape. I give this collection of poetry 5 out of 5 stars.

 

About the author: Lillian Brummet

Lillian Brummet has been professionally involved in the realm of writing since 19999. She began writing poetry as a teenager, which allowed her to express the issues and emotions from broken, abusive homes and being on her own at 13-years old. Through poetry, she learned how to see beyond these hurts and discover a world outside of herself, where she discovered her life had value and a purpose to fulfill.

Lillian’s award-winning poetry has appeared in five hardcover anthology books and continues to appear in magazines and newsletters across the globe. She has had the honor of attaining the Editor’s Choice Award for Outstanding Achievement in Poetry – not once, but twice. Her published books include the two-part series titled: Trash Talk (Books 1 & 2), a guide for authors titled: Purple Snowflake Marketing, and her recently released Poetic Wanderings: A Lifetime Of Memories (Playing With Words). She also hosts the Conscious Discussions Talk Radio show and manages Brummet’s Conscious Blog.

Lillian is passionate about poetry and continues to write in this genre between marketing her books and working on new manuscripts for future books. In those few stolen moments when she is not in the office she spends time with her husband gardening, indulging in nature, camping, and walking the many trails in British Columbia’s (Canada) wilderness.