Belluna's Big Adventure in the Sky

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Belluna’s Big Adventure in the Sky is a brilliant collaboration between the written word and physical expression. The vibrant story begins with the happy Noollab family. Right from the start, Once Upon a Dance highlights similarities between this lively family and any other ordinary family. They enjoy time together, getting outdoors and a variety of hobbies, but with one minor difference. A turn of the page reveals an unusual characteristic the Noollabs all possess. They have giant, hairless balloon-shaped heads! At first, their unexpected faces are a bit discomforting to look at. But the Noollabs take full advantage of their peculiar feature, even finding the lofty shape beneficial in many circumstances. A day of apple picking for the fun-loving family goes awry when the daughter, Belluna, is blown into the air by a huge gust of wind. Swept away, she is separated from her family and forced to deal with the dilemma on her own. At first dismayed by the unlikely turn of events, Belluna quickly adapts and even embraces the exhilarating situation. With an impressive amount of self-awareness, rugged determination and some focused conceptualization, she finds an extraordinary way home.

Belluna’s Big Adventure in the Sky: A Dance-It-Out Creative Movement Story for Young Movers by Once Upon a Dance is so much more than a simple book designed to entertain young readers. The imaginative story is complemented by illustrations and explanations for related guided movements featuring Ballerina Konora. This special feature invites children right into Belluna’s story as they are urged to become lanky giraffes, spinning wind turbines, moving cars, and participate in many other creative motions alongside the characters. The story is so genuine and earnest in delivering its message of inclusion that readers will be completely disarmed and totally charmed with the balloon-faced Noollab family by the end of the story as we all learn a gentle lesson on acceptance. If you’re looking for a wonderfully unique book that engages both mind and body, you’ll love Belluna’s Big Adventure in the Sky, an unforgettable story that families can enjoy together again and again.  

—Indies Today

and the adults reading to or encouraing them. 

This vivid story of a very different family, and a daughter who unexpectedly flies into the world, is accompanied by movement exercises demonstrated by Ballerina Konora, who illustrates the story's action.

Belluna is a basketball player, sister, and the youngest daughter in the Noollab clan, a happy family that loves one another. Their differences still lend a feel of togetherness that's reinforced by shared activities.

The father works at a wind farm, the mother is a photographer, son Baylun enjoys ice skating, and Belluna loves basketball, observing that her difference from the other kids gives her various strengths.

One activity the family enjoys doing together is apple picking. One day, a storm blows in, and Belluna's search for a basketball left behind carries her into a realm filled with new experiences. 

Belluna's adventure is illustrated by dance poses that encourage young readers to jump, play, and stretch both their bodies and their imaginations.

The activities and exercises not only encourage kids to move, but teaches them body language and how they may express emotions, experiences, and adventure through movement.

Belluna's Big Adventure in the Sky operates on many different levels: as a fun fantasy; as a story of family togetherness and evolving strengths from differences; and as a movement-oriented lesson that teaches all ages how to interpret the written word in a different way.

Adults who choose this story to encourage kids to move and act will find that it lends particularly well to new forms of expression.

— Donovan’s Literacy Services 

 Belluna’s Big Adventure in the Sky by Once Upon A Dance and Stella Mongodi is our latest certified great read that proves that reading doesn’t have to be a quiet, couch-centered activity. It’s perfect for high-energy kids because they give your little one a chance to move and burn energy while you read.
 

In Belluna’s Big Adventure in the Sky by Once Upon A Dance and Stella Mongodi, we are introduced to a wonderful family of four: Mother, Father, big brother Baylun, and little sister Belluna. The Noollab family is like any other family except they have balloons for their heads. Due to this unique feature some activities are challenging for the Noollabs but they are also greatly benefited from their peculiarities. Such as, all four have excellent posture, with their lofty heads pulling their bodies up straight and tall. One Saturday, when the Noollabs are out picking apples, storm sirens starts blaring and the family decides to head back home immediately. But Belluna forgets her basketball in the apple orchard so she chases the ball. Just when Belluna is about to get hold of her basketball, the strong wind carries her into the sky. She is terrified at first but her adventure begins when she actually starts enjoying the wonderful view flying over the local zoo, watching all the animals below and touching the rainbow with her hands. With nothing solid to hold on to, will Belluna ever be able to get down and reunite with her family? Read this amazingly illustrated book to find out!
 

Each of Noollab’s everyday experiences is translated into dance moves. For example, Ballerina Konora showcases dance moves for pretending to climb the stairs, warming up before taking a photograph, playing basketball and reaching up into the tree and pick
a few apples. All these activities are wonderfully translated into dance moves for all the dance loving kids out there. Kids will love trying all of the different moves highlighted in the book, and will appreciate the message that being brave and celebrating themselves for who they are is a powerful tool for any child.
 

Belluna’s Big Adventure in the Sky celebrates children who are a little or a lot different and will inspire children to embrace who they are. The vibrantly colored illustrations, peppy dance moves, and adorable characters will have kids wanting to read again and dance along.

—Reading with your Kids 

Belluna is A Certified Great Read