This week the children and I have been thinking about courage, creativity and collaboration as we celebrate International Dot Day 2021, which for us has turned into Dot Week!
Luna Loves Dance is the perfect book for exploring alongside our Dot Day activities as it is a story all about being creative, being brave and working together.
Luna has a dance exam and she believes that if she can pass the exam she will be a real dancer.
The exam does not go well and all the bright positive feelings dancing brings Luna all fade to grey. Luna is sad and deflated and her parents try hard to comfort her and reassure her that she can still be a real dancer.
Luna’s mum takes her to see a musical. Luna loves the show and dances down the aisle to the ice cream seller in the interval.
Luna’s Nana and Grandpa play old records and show Luna different dance moves that they know and love. Luna feels her colour and sparkle coming back as she is inspired, supported and loved by her family.
Luna’s Dad takes her to Carnival. This wonderful spread with an extra pull out page brought back memories for me of dancing all day at Notting Hill Carnival. Luna dances in the crowds, She is ducking and diving, twirling and smiling.
Luna’s Dad lifts her up …
“A sun is a star when it shines,
A bell is a chime when it rings.
You’re a real dancer when you dance
And your moves make colours sing.”
This four line verse made me cry all the tears because it is so true and it is what all children need to hear.
You are a real dancer every time you dance not just when you pass an exam.
You are a reader every time you read not only when you read a certain book.
You are a writer every time you write not just when you write a 1000 word essay.
You are brave every time you are scared and you go ahead and try anyway.
Children need the love and support of their families and friends, of their teachers and club leaders.
Every child needs to know that there is someone who believes in them and will help them to do the things they want to do.
Luna is wrapped up in the love and faith of her family. Together they show their beloved little one that she can do anything that she puts her mind to, together they show her that she is a real dancer. And Luna shows them, and little readers, “how to leap, leap, leap over hard times, with joy bounding in your heart.”
This is such a magical book. It will lift your spirits and fill your heart with joy. It will make you more committed than ever to raising your children up and being their champion, making sure that they know you are there for them no matter what.
This is the perfect book for encouraging little ones to be brave, to do the things that they want to do and to know that they are loved.
With lyrical text and the most amazing illustrations this is a gorgeous book. A celebration of creativity, courage and collaboration. A celebration of families.
My little dancers will treasure this very special double signed edition and so will I.
Luna LOVES Dance and we LOVE Luna x
Thank you Joseph Coelho and Fiona Lumbers for creating such a beautiful book.
If you are looking for an activity for Dot Day why not join Joseph and Fiona with Moonlane TV for storytime and a drawalong.
We will be doing exactly this tomorrow and I cannot wait!