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Once Upon a Dance
ALLi Author Member
Location: United States of America (the)
Genres: Health & Fitness, Advice & How To, Children's general
Skills: Self-publishing Workshop/Training, Reading/Literary Event, Press/Media Interview
Once Upon a Dance offers movement, breath, joy, connection and imagination through stories. Three main series offer something for everyone:
• Dance-It-Out! Creative Movement Stories (ages 4+)
• Dancing Shapes: Ballet and Body Awareness (ages 6+)
• Ballet Inspiration and Choreography Concepts (8+)
Their catalog of 25 books offers a positive role model and features diverse characters. Story themes—beyond movement and dance—include empathy, friendship, helping each other, the value of practice, making new friends, self-acceptance, sibling relationships, anger management, and working toward a goal.
Visit DanceStories.com to learn about this mother-daughter duo, see book details, or check out parent/teacher resources. Follow Once Upon a Dance (@Once_UponADance) for upcoming sneak peaks, dance photos, and the latest on their goofy cats.
Ballerina Konora is living her dreams as a full-fledged professional ballerina. Teacher Terrel arrived in Seattle after a Peace Corps stint teaching English and dance. Complementing decades of dance instruction, Terrel worked in early childhood education and for non-profits supporting kids. She 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.
The stories are lovingly crafted, and all royalties are donated. Once Upon a Dance has won numerous awards and accolades:
• Mom’s Choice Gold Award
• Family Choice Award
• Purple Dragonfly First Place
• PenCraft Award First Place
• Firebird First Place
• Pinnacle: Best Book Juvenile Fiction
• Independent Press Award Winner
• International Impact Book Award Winner
• Outstanding Creator Awards Winner
• Golden Boar Cover of the Year
• B.R.A.G. Medallion Award
• Readers Favorite Certified Great Read
• Indie’s Today 5-Star Recommended
• The Wishing Shelf 5-Star
• Literary Titan 5-Star Award
• Readers’ Choice Book Awards 5-Star
• Story Monsters Approved
• Kirkus Reviews Starred Review
Once Upon a Dance's books
Dancing Shapes
Dancing Shapes provides an inside gorgeous glimpse into ballerina Konora’s journey. Konora, whose career has been sidelined by Covid-19, leads readers through warm-up steps, a basic ballet technique lesson, and an exploration of movement and form.
Sadoni Squirrel: Superhero A Dance-It-Out Creative Movement Story for Young Movers
A whimsical tale of an unlikely hero in search of a sidekick—except Sadoni’s friend doesn’t even believe she has superpowers. Will they ever team up?
“It delivers the messages of trusting one’s self, trusting others, asking for help when in need, and always offering help even to those who had once doubted us.” —Reedsy
Each Dance-It-Out! Creative Movement story is a kids’ dance performance for the imagination stage. Ballerina Konora joins the fun on each page. Three books in one: readers can enjoy the story, act out the tale in their own way, or follow Konora’s suggested moves, designed by an award-winning dance teacher. Each book is an independent story, ideal for kids 4-7. Sadoni offers less complicated movements and would make a great series introduction. The collection is a bit above typical language level as the stories are often enjoyed with a caregiver or teacher.
Brielle’s Birthday Ball: A Dance-It-Out Creative Movement Story for Young Movers
Brielle's Birthday Ball is the perfect Dance-It-Out! Creative Movement Stories introduction and wonderful gift for any young child celebrating a birthday. Each series volume is an independent story, ideal for kids 4-7. While there are some challenging movements, younger preschoolers will enjoy Brielle’s adventures, where she is joined by the Man in the Moon and his family. Dance-It-Out!s are a bit above level (language-wise) as they are often initially enjoyed with a caregiver or teacher.
Each Dance-It-Out! story is a kids’ dance performance for the imagination stage. Ballerina Konora joins the fun with dance suggestions on each page. Three books in one: readers can enjoy the story, act out the tale in their own way, or follow Konora’s suggested moves, designed by an award-winning ballet teacher.
"Brielle's Birthday Ball is a great way of introducing kids to the world of dance while couching these movements into a broader journey of magic, dreams, and movement responses . . . it is very highly recommended"
—Midwest Book Review
Joey Finds His Jump!: A Dance-It-Out Creative Movement Story for Young Movers
Movement inspiration arrives in Dance-It-Out’s charming series debut, created by an award-winning dance teacher and her ballerina daughter.
Joey Kangaroo never learned how to jump, and he desperately wants to find the secret. Ballerina Konora helps readers express movement alongside Joey in this interactive story of determination, friendship, and jumping jubilance.
Princess Naomi Helps a Unicorn: A Dance-It-Out Creative Movement Story for Young Movers
Unicorns and Horses and Snakes, oh my!
A danceful one-act wrapped up in a charming story of sibling angst, compassion, and triumph.
“Cheerful and heartwarming, this movement adventure will inspire creative expression through imagination.” ~Librarian Reviewer Mary Lanni
Kids are encouraged to explore movement along with optional movement expert, Ballerina Konora. Part of the Dance-It-Out! collection, creations by an award-winning dance teacher and her Ballerina daughter.