Brielle’s Birthday Ball: A Dance-It-Out Creative Movement Story for Young Movers (Dance-It-Out! Creative Movement Stories for Young Movers)

Brielle’s Birthday Ball —a 2021 Mom’s Choice Gold and B.R.A.G. Medallion Award Recipient—is a fantastical adventure that simultaneously celebrates the comforts of home. “This whimsical tale of discovery is so full of joy and wonder . It also opens a door to dance in the most charming and accessible way . Readers of all ages will have a ball with Brielle and her friends.” —Peter Boal, Artistic Director, Pacific Northwest Ballet 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 Movement, technique, and dance concepts in this story include: • 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 Major themes include Birthdays, Space Travel, Dance Party, and No Place Like Home, and the story would pair well with camp or class themes such as Space, Moon, Cupcakes, Deep Breathing, Fantasy, and Healthy Habits . Dance-It-Out! movement journeys are ideal for dance, pre-ballet, creative movement, preschool, daycare, early learning, physical education, homeschool, kindergarten, or first-grade activities. The full collection features male, female, and nonbinary diverse characters. Books make great gifts for kids interested in dance, ballet, gymnastics, or yoga, or reluctant readers who enjoy getting up and moving. With kind characters, subtle life lessons, and a positive role model in Ballerina Konora, teachers love the kid-approved, ready-made, easy additions to curriculum and lesson planning. Children at home adore the stories that “ young readers will return to again and again ” (—Reedsy) . About the Author Ballerina Konora is an apprentice with Ballet Idaho and previously danced with Pacific Northwest Ballet’s Professional Division and Texture Contemporary Ballet. Growing up, she danced iconic roles such as Sugar Plum Fairy and Cinderella. Konora’s mother taught creative movement and ballet for decades. She was recognized by her local City Council (2014) for embodying the spirit of partnership and commitment to children in our community for her work with young dancers. Once Upon a Dance has many 2021 awards and endorsements, including a PenCraft Award First Place Winner, Mom’s Choice Gold Award , Independent Press Award Winner , B.R.A.G. Medallion Award, International Impact Book Award Winner , Readers Favorite Certified Great Read , Love Reading 4 Kids Indie Books We Love , and Indie’s Today 5-Star Recommended .