Joey Finds His Jump by Once Upon a Dance

Joey Kangaroo never learned how to jump, and he desperately wants to find the secret.

Ballerina Konora helps readers express their movement alongside Joey in this interactive story of determination, friendship, and jumping jubilance.

“Highly recommended for anyone with young children and those young at heart too.” —Reedsy

“An innovative use of dance and storytelling for a fun, child-focused activity.” —Kirkus Reviews

Movement, technique, and dance concepts in this story include:

• 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

Themes include Making New Friends, Being Polite, Friendship, and Empathy. The Dance-It-Out! books can be used as a supplement for classes or camps. Joey Finds His Jump! pairs well with themes such as Kangaroos, Frogs, Dancing, New Experiences, Meeting New People, Good Manners, Being Kind, Going to the Zoo, Emotions, Adventures, Ballet, or Jumping.

Featured characters include Joey (he/him) and Juniper (she/her). Background characters include dancers (femininely dressed), diverse children at the zoo, and nonbinary animals: giraffe, hippo, lion, and orangutan. Dance-It-Out!s are a bit above level (language-wise) as they are often initially enjoyed with a caregiver or teacher.

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 nongendered diverse characters. Books make a great gift for boys or girls 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 additions to curriculum and lesson planning. Children at home adore the stories that “young readers will return to again and again” (—Reedsy).

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About the authors

Once Upon a Dance offers movement, breath, joy, connection, and imagination through stories.

Their catalog of 25 interactive dance books highlights positive messages and role models throughout four main series:
Dance-It-Out! stories combine whimsical tales with movement and subtle life lessons (spans ages 4-9)
Dancing Shapes peeks at a professional ballerina’s journey, teaches ballet, and explores detail and form (spans ages 6-11) 
Ballet Inspiration and Choreography Concepts deep dives into technique, tips, and insight for aspiring dancers (ages 8-12)
Prop-Based Dance Stories for Classroom and Anytime Fun debuts in 2023 to encourage scarf and parachute play.

Once Upon a Dance was named a top 10 author of 2022 by Outstanding Creator Awards, and they’ve been honored by over 40 book awards, 1000+ 5-star reviews, and a Kirkus Star. They donate all royalties to charities supporting the arts, animals, environment, or people. Visit DanceStories.com for more info.

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