• Home
  • Sora
  • Eka
  • Dayana
  • Brielle
  • Belluna
  • Joey
  • Mira
  • Naomi
  • Petunia
  • Goat
  • Sadoni
  • Cat
  • Freya
  • Frankie
  • Danika
  • Andi
  • Daryl
  • Ella
  • Danny
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • FAQs
  • Other Series
  • More
    • Home
    • Sora
    • Eka
    • Dayana
    • Brielle
    • Belluna
    • Joey
    • Mira
    • Naomi
    • Petunia
    • Goat
    • Sadoni
    • Cat
    • Freya
    • Frankie
    • Danika
    • Andi
    • Daryl
    • Ella
    • Danny
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • FAQs
    • Other Series
  • Home
  • Sora
  • Eka
  • Dayana
  • Brielle
  • Belluna
  • Joey
  • Mira
  • Naomi
  • Petunia
  • Goat
  • Sadoni
  • Cat
  • Freya
  • Frankie
  • Danika
  • Andi
  • Daryl
  • Ella
  • Danny
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • FAQs
  • Other Series
MOVEMENT, JOY, BREATH, CONNECTION & IMAGINATION

CHILDREN'S PICTURE BOOKS

 Pull back the imagination curtain and get kids moving!

BookShop.org

DANCE-IT-OUT! CREATIVE MOVEMENT STORIES

INTERACTIVE STORYTELLING ADVENTURES

Ballerina Konora joins each page with movement inspiration, along with how-to photographs for dance exploration. 


Konora's mother, Teacher Terrel, developed the books based on curriculum created over decades' teaching and research. Each independent story is not only a treasure trove of dance fundamentals, but a story laced with affirming messages and positive themes such as the value of practice, helping each other, self-acceptance, sibling relationships, anger management, the importance of bystanders, and working toward a goal. 


Stories feature cats, unicorns, horses, dragons, kangaroos, frogs, castles, squirrels, elephants, goats, princesses, fairies, crickets, dolls, dancers, zombies, ghosts, etc.  


Children at home adore the stories that “young readers will return to again and again.” 

—Reedsy

Suggested Order (Spans ages 3-9)

Once Upon a Dance Awards/Endorsements

REVIEWS

This whimsical tale of discovery is so full of joy and wonder. 

—Peter Boal, Pacific Northwest Ballet's Artistic Director    


An innovative use of dance and storytelling for a fun, child-focused activity. 

—Kirkus Reviews  


Cheerful and heartwarming ... will inspire creative expression through imagination. 

—Mary Lanni, Librarian  


Two books for the price of one! A sweet story AND a book designed to encourage dance and stretching.

—The Wishing Shelf  

...I would have loved to have had books like this when I was a child.  

—Readers' Favorite 


...whimsical storytelling and interactive play to fully engage the reader.

—Garrett Anderson, Ballet Idaho Artistic Director/Father of Three Lively Boys 


Another wonderful journey into the imagination with Ballerina Konora, perfect for young dancers everywhere!  

—Reedsy 


...a bilingual presentation presented in two languages ... its counterpart in movement and exercise. 

—D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review   

Dance-It-Out! Collection (Summary/Suggested Ages)

Each Dance-It-Out! book is an independent story ready for the imagination stage. Every book has its own unique feel: different sets, costumes, and choreography—just like a new dance performance. Check  each book's page for more info. (suggested order):


• Eka and the Elephant is a tale of a new garden, a crazy dream, and finding a real elephant friend for Eka (nonbinary). [Collaboration with author Leah Irby]  Ages 3-7

• Dayana, Dax, and the Dancing Dragon features sibling love and dragon (nonbinary) encounters.  

(Duplicate Story: Danny, Denny, and the Dancing Dragon Ages 4-7)

• Brielle’s Birthday Ball is a beautiful was-it-all-just-a-dream adventure packed with movement concepts and subtle life lessons. [three generations' collaboration: original story by Grandma] Ages 3-7

• Belluna's Big Adventure in the Sky is a quirky celebration of individuality. When Belluna gets swept up by a storm, will she ever make it home again? Ages 4-7

 • Joey Finds His Jump! is a story of friendship and jumping jubilance featuring Joey (he) along with female ensemble characters. Ages 4-7

  • Mira Monkey’s Magic Mirror Adventure kicks off of a trilogy of fairy mischief. Mira enjoys the carnival until crazy things happen. Fairies delight and add a secondary movement challenge. Ages 4-7

 • Princess Naomi Helps a Unicorn includes sister squabbles, a horse (he), a snake, and joyful reunions. Gallops, leaps, and muscle activation are just a few of the movement themes.  Ages 4-7

  • Petunia Perks Up is a relaxing story of meditation and gentle movement. Petunia (she) lets elements of her day spark her imagination and bring a peaceful calm. (Movements are simple, but readers may better-engage with an active story as series introduction.)  Nonbinary version coming 2023. Ages 4+

• The Grumpy Goat What happens when Aspen (no pronouns) invites a goat to help with lawn care? Mama (she), Mee (she), and sister Sycamore round out the Saps family, who cope with their animal shenanigans in stride. Ages 5-8

• Sadoni Squirrel: Superhero tells the story of how one little critter (she) with superpowers finds a feline sidekick (he). Ages 5-8 

  • The Cat with the Crooked Tail highlights the value of practice, friendship, and a good attitude. Merida Brown (she) thinks her tail hinders her abilities. With help from a friend (he), she proves herself wrong. (Kids might ask for props or want to set up an obstacle course.) Ages 5-8

 • Freya, Fynn, and the Fantastic Flute features friendly ghosts, bats, and zombies. Will Fynn (he) and Freya (she) manage to tame the creatures? [Collaboration with author/choreographer Marjorie Thompson] 

 • Frankie's Wish follows Frankie (no pronouns) on a quest to make a special wish. A beautiful story with an important message. [collaboration with author/choreographer Eva Stone] Ages 5-8

  • Danika’s Dancing Day focuses on ballet. Danika (she) creates a performance out of chores, playing outside, and even her dreams. Ballet words are mentioned often; non-dancers may want to start with a different story and build up to this one. Ages 5-8

  • Andi's Valentine Tree is a story of a special tree that offers solace for Andi (no pronouns), a dancer and victim of unkindness. Ages 6-9

• Daryl and the Dancing Dolls follows Daryl (no pronouns) as an ordinary life takes an unexpected turn. A book inspired by Terrel and Konora's ballet heroes and heroines. Ages 6-9

Dance-It-Out! Collection (Summary/Suggested Ages)

Coming Soon
• Sora Searches for a Song is one little cricket's gorgeous imagination journey. Ages 5-8

 • Ella's Dance Debut features heavy ballet throughout a touching understudy's story. Ashton (nonbinary) and Ella (she) make a great team, but will Ella ever get back on stage? [Inspired by Ashton Edwards]. Ages 6-9

 • Mira and Marvin's Magic Mirror Mischief  (Mira Book 2) recounts how the friends' playdate to experiment with the magic mirror doesn't go quite as planned. Ages 4-7
 • Mira Monkey and the Fairy’s Ballerina Shoes (Mira Book 3) chronicles what happens when the fairies take their magic mirror back from Mira, but they give her something even better. Ages 4-7

• River's Dreary to Dreamy Day is a refresh of Petunia Perks Up with a nonbinary main character. Ages 4+

• Tammy the Troll shares a journey to find a new friend in the forest. This will be our debut in our prop-based storytelling series. Ages 3-6, Great for Classes [collaboration with author Dina McDermitt]

• Zara the Zombie picks up where Freya, Fynn, and the Fantastic Flute left off, with a little zombie (she) stowaway. Ages 5-8


Audio versions available for select titles. Additional audio books coming 2023.

Dance-It-Out! Sample Movement/Technique/Concepts

Joey Finds His Jump!

Belluna's Big Adventure in the Sky

Princess Naomi Helps a Unicorn

           •  Plié

  • Relevé
  • Forward Port de Bras
  • Passé
  • Leap/Grand Jeté
  • Twist
  • March
  • Hop
  • Skip
  • Jump
  • Kick
  • Frog Jump
  • Stretches: Up/Out
  • Child’s Pose
  • Yawn
  • Body Parts’ Isolation: Knees, Tongue, Arms, Back, and Head
  • Small/Medium/Large  Jumps
  • Low/High Levels
  • Wide/Narrow
  • Quick/Slow
  • Extended Legs/Arms
  • Corps/Synchronized Dancing
  • Emotions in the Body

Princess Naomi Helps a Unicorn

Belluna's Big Adventure in the Sky

Princess Naomi Helps a Unicorn

  • Chassé Forward
  • Chassé Sideways
  • Leaps (Grand Jetés)
  • Rond de Jambe
  • Leg Lifts
  • Cobra (Back Stretch)
  • Twisting
  • Muscle Activation – On/Off Muscles
  • Moving with Emotion
  • Concept of Open/Closed
  • Concept of Powerful Movement
  • Concept of Low/Medium/High



Additional movement/technique lists at Amazon.com book descriptions or below link. 





Movement/Technique Lists

Belluna's Big Adventure in the Sky

Belluna's Big Adventure in the Sky

Belluna's Big Adventure in the Sky

  • Dance Posture
  • Passé
  • Plié
  • Leg Lift (Kick) 
  • First Position Arms 
  • Pointed Toes 
  • Turned Out Legs 
  • Warming Up 
  • Fall
  • Spin 
  • Reach
  • Jump 
  • Crouch 
  • Roll
  • Twist 
  • Lean Forward/Backward/Sideways
  • Body Part Isolation
  • Body Coordination 
  • Creating Shapes 
  • Wide/Narrow
  • Levels
  • Counting Movements
  • Small Motor Skills
  • Storytelling

Video Reviews by Librarian Mary Lanni (Mostly Previous Covers)

Where to Buy


©2021  Once Upon a Dance   All Rights Reserved

  • Sora
  • Eka
  • Dayana
  • Brielle
  • Belluna
  • Joey
  • Mira
  • Naomi
  • Petunia
  • Goat
  • Sadoni
  • Cat
  • Freya
  • Frankie
  • Danika
  • Andi
  • Daryl
  • Ella
  • Danny
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • FAQs
  • Skills
  • ISBNs
  • Other Series
  • Cats