A strong quest tale encouraging imagination, movement, and hard work.
This 16th installment of Once Upon a Dance’s children’s book series presents a birthday story about the value of a journey.
A White child named Frankie who lives on Anorac Island is excited about a birthday tradition. Birthday kids on Anorac can travel to a nearby island to make a wish on a magical blue feather. Frankie intends to wish to become a famous dancer. After some advice from Auntie Duke to “use your mind, body, and imagination as you wander in the wonder”; ask for help when needed; and be open-minded, Frankie heads off. In the forest, Frankie meets a talking eagle, flowers that deliver a mysterious message, a riddle-telling Tyrannosaurus rex, and a gorilla swinging from vines, all of whom help the youngster along the path. When Frankie arrives at the goal, the child realizes that wishing to be a famous dancer would mean skipping out on the journey—and the odyssey through the forest was what made the day fun. As with previous books in the series, each two-page spread features a large illustration, prose that tells the story, and a section where White ballerina Konora (her stage name) leads young readers and dancers through retelling the tale with their bodies. Most of the movements in this story are accessible, with only one challenging pose (a bridge—to mimic the archway entrance to the magical forest), which Konora guides readers through in steps. Advanced dancers can add their own, more challenging spins to the recommended movements, but beginning performers and preschool listeners may choose to stick with the descriptions, using their imaginations to act out Frankie’s adventures. Though geared toward a younger audience, some complex vocabulary words (overwhelmed, frolicked) make this a better choice for classroom reading aloud and perusing by solid independent readers. Rumińska’s digital paintings depicting Frankie are brightly colored, as opposed to the high-contrast, uncredited photographs of Konora, who wears a black leotard and leggings and moves against a white background. Both the prose and the pictures deftly avoid identifying Frankie’s gender. No pronouns are used in the text, and Frankie’s bushy, short red hair; freckles; and shorts and T-shirt give no gender cues, reinforcing that dancing is for everyone.
A strong quest tale encouraging imagination, movement, and hard work.Pub Date: Aug. 12, 2022
ISBN: 9781955555548
Page Count: 43
Publisher: Once Upon A Dance
Review Posted Online: Nov. 16, 2022
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
New parents of daughters will eat these up and perhaps pass on the lessons learned.
All the reasons why a daughter needs a mother.
Each spread features an adorable cartoon animal parent-child pair on the recto opposite a rhyming verse: “I’ll always support you in giving your all / in every endeavor, the big and the small, / and be there to catch you in case you should fall. / I hope you believe this is true.” A virtually identical book, Why a Daughter Needs a Dad, publishes simultaneously. Both address standing up for yourself and your values, laughing to ease troubles, being thankful, valuing friendship, persevering and dreaming big, being truthful, thinking through decisions, and being open to differences, among other topics. Though the sentiments/life lessons here and in the companion title are heartfelt and important, there are much better ways to deliver them. These books are likely to go right over children’s heads and developmental levels (especially with the rather advanced vocabulary); their parents are the more likely audience, and for them, the books provide some coaching in what kids need to hear. The two books are largely interchangeable, especially since there are so few references to mom or dad, but one spread in each book reverts to stereotype: Dad balances the two-wheeler, and mom helps with clothing and hair styles. Since the books are separate, it aids in customization for many families.
New parents of daughters will eat these up and perhaps pass on the lessons learned. (Picture book. 4-8, adult)Pub Date: May 1, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-4926-6781-0
Page Count: 32
Publisher: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
Review Posted Online: March 16, 2019
Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 2019
This frenetic ode to fatherhood is predictable fare but may please series fans.
It’s time to look for the elusive Daddysaurus.
In this latest installment in the seemingly never-ending series about a group of diverse kids attempting to trap mythical creatures, the youngsters are now on the lookout for a big mauve dinosaur with an emblazoned D on his stomach and a superhero cape. The fast-moving Daddysaurus is always on the go; he will be difficult to catch. Armed with blueprints of possible ideas, the kids decide which traps to set. As in previous works, ones of the sticky variety seem popular. They cover barbells with fly paper (Daddysaurus like to exercise) and spread glue on the handle of a shovel (Daddysaurus also likes to garden). One clever trick involves tempting Daddysaurus with a drawing of a hole, taped to the wall, because he fixes everything that breaks. Daddysaurus is certainly engaged in the children’s lives, not a workaholic or absent, but he does fall into some standard tropes associated with fathers. The rhyming quatrains stumble at times but for the most part bounce along. Overall, though, text and art feel somewhat formulaic and likely will tempt only devotees of the series. The final page of the book (after Daddysaurus is caught with love) has a space for readers to write a note or draw a picture of their own Daddysaurus. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
This frenetic ode to fatherhood is predictable fare but may please series fans. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: April 1, 2023
ISBN: 978-1-72826-618-3
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Sourcebooks Wonderland
Review Posted Online: Jan. 11, 2023
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2023
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