Movement/Technique/Concepts (Suggested Order)

Brielle's Birthday Ball (3+)

Dayana, Dax, & the Dancing Dragon (4+)

The donkey kicks and monkey jumps might be challenging for younger kids, but they're movements that can be easily approximated. Unless a child has perfectionist tendencies, kids ages 3+ would enjoy this one. Brielle (she) is the main character joined by the Man in the Moon and his family.

Relevé
Spin/Twirl
Jump
Donkey Kicks
Monkey Jumps (pre-cartwheel)
Falls
Rolls
Body Part Coordination
Movement Patterns/Sequences
Creating Shapes
Deep Breathing
Improv Dance/Dance for Fun
Healthy Choices/Good Habits

Dayana, Dax, & the Dancing Dragon (4+)

Dayana (she) is a dancer, so little dancers will love the dancer role model. Particularly perfect for soon-to-be-big sisters.

Gallop/Chassé
Plié
Passé (shown but not discussed)
Spin/Twirl
Jump
Kick
Coffee Grinder/Helicopter (Russian/Character)
Rocking/Weight Shift
Extended Legs/Arms
Activating/Relaxing Muscles
Movement Quality

Danny, Denny, and the Dancing Dragon is duplicate story.

Mira's Magic Mirror Adventure (4+)

Belluna's Big Adventure in the Sky (4+)

Mira's Magic Mirror has complicated instructions though movements are fairly simple. Features Mira (she).

Relevé
Balance
Arabesque
Fall
Spin
Splits
Stretch
Reach
Jump
Roll
Throw
Levels
Fine Motor Skills
Body Parts
Body Coordination
Movement Patterns and Sequences
Copying Shapes (Fairy Poses offer secondary movement challenge.)

Belluna's Big Adventure in the Sky (4+)

Belluna (she) and her family show some pretty tricky movements though they could be approximated successfully by younger kids. Not very technical in movement though many dance fundamentals are explored.

Dance Posture (not explicit)
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

Joey Finds His Jump! (4+)

Princess Naomi Helps a Unicorn (4+)

While there are some difficult jumps, children are unlikely to notice if they're not quite correct. This story's shorter text and male main character make it a great choice for a starting story for mixed-gender groups.

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 (4+)

This story features two sisters and discusses dance technique. Dance moves are described with detailed instructions.

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

Petunia perks up (4+)

Sadoni Squirrel: Superhero (4+)

Movements are simple and meditative, but a more engaging book might be a better starter story.

Sous Sus
Child’s Pose
Posture
Inhale/Exhale (coordinated with movement)
Shoulder Rolls
Swings
Stretches
Sways
Weight Transfer
Energy
Small Motor Skills
Naming Body Parts

Sadoni Squirrel: Superhero (4+)

The story content deals with a medical emergency and 911 visit, so avoid for children easily frightened. Movements are not technical though there are some physical challenges. Features Sadoni (she) and Jamison (he).

      • Relevé
     • Spin/Twirl
     • Balance on Knees
     • Balance on One Foot (with Movement)
     • Arabesque Leg (from Hands & Feet)
     • Grand Plié/Crouch (with Balance)
     • Jump
     • Jump while Spinning
     • Hop on One Foot
     • Stretch Forward/Up/Sideways
     • Child’s Pose
     • Cat Back (Contraction)
     • First Position Arms (Bubble)
     • Rolling Over
    • Run in Place
    • Deep Breathing
    • Moving with Power
    • Weight Shift
    • Body Part Coordination
    • Fine Motor Skills (Fingers/Wrist)

Freya, fynn, & the fantastic flute (4.5+)

Movements are simple, but text and scarier story components make this appropriate for a slightly older crowd. Features Freya (she), Fynn (he), and an aunt.

    • Kicks
   • Marches
   • Jumps
   • Rolls
   • Bends
   • First/Fifth Position
   • Shoulder lifts
   • Lunges
   • Tiptoes/Relevé
   • Breath/Sighs
   • Balancing on one Foot
   • Rocking/Swaying
   • Hand Shapes such as Fists/Flat/Pointer/Curved Fingers
   • Sharp and Smooth
   • Emotions such as Joy, Shock, Curiosity, and Love
   • Improv dance

cat with the crooked tail (5+)

Kids may ask for props. A great starting activity for obstacle courses. Features Merida (she), Ziggy (he), and the cat with no tail (he).

Leaping
Crawling
Balancing
Jumping
Tiptoes/Relevés
Attitude
Arabesque
Pointed Toes
Falling
Body Parts and Coordination
Movement Patterns and Sequences

Frankie's Wish (4.5+)

cat with the crooked tail (5+)

ANdi's Valentine Tree (6+)

This story's longer story text makes it perfect for kids who've enjoyed previous story. Frankie doesn't have pronouns and lives with his/her aunt.

• Bridge Pose (*4-5s may need help with this movement)
• Twirling
• Squatting/Waddling
• Balancing on One Leg
• Jumping
• Stretching
• Reaching
• Swaying
• Upper Body/Head/Forearm/Shoulder Isolation

• Moving with Resistance

• Centering/Breath
• Small Motor Skills (Rotating, Writing, Counting, Closing into Fist, Opening Palm, etc)
• Quality of Movement (Calm/Wild, Powerful, Joyful, etc.)
• Showing Emotion (Surprise, Excitement, Fear, Interest, etc.)
• Shapes (Twisted, Wide, Tall, etc.)
• Concert of Left/Right
• Self Affirmation and Gratitude

ANdi's Valentine Tree (6+)

cat with the crooked tail (5+)

ANdi's Valentine Tree (6+)

This story is very technical and assumes dance knowledge. Andi doesn't have pronouns.

With Instructions:
     • Sous sus
     • Battement en Cloche
     • Passé
     • Piqué Turn
     • Changement

Review:
     • Ballet Posture
     • Relevé
     • Plié/ Grand Plié
     • Ballet Positions
     • Tendu
     • Rond de Jambe
     • Grand Battement
     • Sur le Cou-de-Pied
     • Spin
     • Jump
     • Kick

Movement Concepts:
    • Weight
    • Breath
    • Energy
    • Bent/Curved/Straight
    • Stretching
    • Relaxation
    • Movement Quality
    • Bodies are Unique