Meet Quinn Hops and Bella Beak—the most adorable duo to ever don ballet gear! Their hearts flutter with anticipation—it’s their very first dance class!
Will wobbly toes lead to whimsy, wiggles or woes?
Ready Set Dance: Getting Ready for My First Dance Class, where every misstep is a giggle. (Ages 3-6)
A child’s first dance class can be both nerve-wracking and exciting, especially if they do not have a sibling or friend to serve as a model of someone who has taken class before. In this book, friends Bella Beak and Quinn Hopps head to their first ballet class together and learn exactly what they need to do to succeed. From knowing the length of class to donning the appropriate clothing and hairstyles, Bella, Quinn, and their companions move, sway, and discover a delightful new world of expression through the beauty of dance.
This is a beautifully designed book that introduces young children to their first dance class in an accessible and charming way. The characters are all anthropomorphic animals, which helps readers to visualize the diversity one might find in a dance class. Within the narrative, all the important elements of a dance class for young children are included. Nearly any question a young dancer might have for their first ballet class—and some they may have never considered—are answered within the pages of this book. Likewise, questions parents might ask are answered at the end of the book, providing readers of all ages with a comprehensive guide for ballet classes before they ever set foot in the studio.
While this book does not follow the same structure as the other stories in the Once Upon a Dance series, it is nonetheless successful at educating and entertaining young readers while encouraging movement simply through the use of clever illustrative and textual techniques. Bright, cheerful colors bring the characters to life, and young readers will appreciate the many secret additions to the illustrations that are not directly a part of the narrative. At the end of the book, readers find extension activities they can complete that can help to make dance class even more fun. The extensive expertise of the authors comes through in this book, and it is an excellent tool for any dance teacher to share with fledgling students and their families.
—Mary Lanni, Librarian Reviewer