Tag Archives: forest

Tammy the Troll: A Dance in the Forest Once Upon a Dance (Book Review)

Grab a scarf. Join the Fun. Get moving and dance along with the kids, Tammy, and Ballerina Konora in this prop-based movement story. Perfect for preschool and kindergarten kids and classrooms.

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I received a complimentary copy of this book from Reedsy Discovery.  I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

 

Five friends are preparing to embark on an adventure in search of Tammy the Troll, a unique little creature with spiky purple hair and a diamond in her belly button. They must gather supplies before they leave to find Tammy’s home, a hollowed-out tree at the edge of the forest. As the kids pack, Konora (a real-life dancer) gets readers up and has them stretching and squatting. 

As we follow the kids on their journey, Konora encourages children to mimic her movements. When the fictional characters traverse over tree roots, up the side of the mountain, or walk across branches, Konora is there giving guidance on moves that children at home can do so they feel part of the adventure. Jumping. Spinning. Movement with scarves. Movement without. Kids will be in constant motion and love every minute of it. 

The band of friends brave heights, mice, sticky spiderwebs, and spiders on their grand forest adventure. Their perseverance paid off; they found Tammy the troll. And, let me say, her hair was fabulous! But their adventure doesn’t cease after they give Tammy her special gift. No, they must still navigate the waters before leading Tammy to their home. 

The fictional children were tuckered out from their long day and needed a nap. I assume many real-life children will also crave a rest, especially if they follow along with Konora’s very detailed and fun movements. 

After the story’s conclusion, there are optional extension activities, such as creating a friendship dance, practicing a bridge pose, and discussing dance/ballet stories like Swan Lake. 

Exercise is vital to everyone’s health. Tammy the Troll: A Dance in the Forest by Once Upon a Dance offers the chance to burn off some energy and stretch your muscles while always enjoying a fun story. 

This interactive storybook is perfect for preschoolers and kindergartners. 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤
Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

 

Meet the Team! 

Once Upon a Dance is a mother-daughter team who share a passion for dance and storytelling. Teacher Terrel and Ballerina Konora create books that spark imagination and inspire children to move, breathe, and connect. Four series span ages 3-12: 

   • Dance Stories with Props (for age 3+) (2023)
   • Dance-It-Out! Creative Movement Stories (4-9)
   • Dancing Shapes: Ballet and Body Awareness (6-9)
   • Ballet Inspiration & Choreography Concepts (8-12)

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.

 

@Once_UponADance (Instagram)

DanceStories.com 

 

 

Dance Stories with Props

• Quincy’s Sea Surprise (2024)

Dance-It-Out!

• Mira & Marvin’s Magic Mirror Mischief (2023)

• Mira & the Fairy Shoes (2023)

• Zara the Zombie (2024)

• Clara’s College Adventure (2024)

Dancing Shapes with Cats (2023)

Ballet Inspiration

• Falling into Dance with Ballerina Konora (2023)

• Turning it Around with Ballerina Konora’s Mom (2024)

 

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Ruby’s Camping Adventure (Shiba of the North) by B.A. Tomka (Book Review)

Roasting marshmallows was the plan, until a rabbit hops by…

Ruby is a cute, cuddly Shiba Inu with a mind of her own and a knack for trouble. When Ruby gets lost in the forest on a camping trip with her best friend, Anna, she comes face-to-face with several forest animals who don’t welcome the fox-like dog. Through the darkness, Ruby searches for a kind friend who will see the little pup for who she really is.

Ruby’s Camping Adventure is a charming children’s book for young readers (ages 3 – 6) that will keep kids in suspense, while delivering a subtle message that stereotypes are hurtful.

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 


I received a complimentary copy of this book from Reedsy Discovery. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

 

Oh my goodness gracious, what an adorable book. The illustrations of Ruby and Shiba Inu were cute but not as cute as the real-life photos of the two. What an adorable duo! 

Natia Gogiashvili did a fantastic job illustrating all of Shiba Inu’s expressions. Without reading the text, you knew precisely what the dog was feeling. If you have a child who has difficulty reading emotional cues, these images would be a marvelous therapeutic tool. 

Shiba Inu is like most dogs; they love to chase things! Shiba Inu couldn’t resist chasing after a bunny in the forest, which led readers to meet some wildlife characters. For those teaching children the names of animals, several woodland creatures are featured in Ruby’s Camping Adventure. 

I do not have dogs, but I thought it was comical it preferred bacon and popcorn over freshly caught fish. I don’t blame the pooch; popcorn is delicious. Bacon, eh. It’s still better than unbreaded fish, though. 

If you have an early reader in your home, Ruby’s Camping Adventure would be an excellent book for your child to practice their reading skills with. There are a couple of tricky words, but it’s not a complex story to read. Most words are common except for boreal. That one might need explaining. I suggest showing them pictures of the northern lights. They are quite beautiful! 

I loved the B.A. Tomka included a pronunciation key for Shiba Inu because it would be a word that might trip up some early readers. I also liked how they defined Shiba Inu as well. According to the author, it’s a breed of hunting dog from Japan. 

Amazon’s recommended reading age is 3 – 6 years. Depending on your child’s reading level, even second graders could use Ruby’s Camping Adventure to sharpen their solo reading skills. 

I look forward to reading more works by B.A. Tomka.

 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

Meet the Authors

Mother-daughter writing team Bonnie and Anna Tomka — B.A. Tomka — live in northern Saskatchewan, Canada, with their Shiba Inu, Ruby, and two humans, Michael and Austin. The family shares a love of popcorn, bacon, and a good story. Their first book kicks off the Shiba of the North book series.

Reedsy Link

 

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Chipper Makes Merry by Kimber Fox Morgan (Book Review)

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Children’s Fictions (Ages 3-7)

 
​Tip toe, tip toe, crackle, crunch!

​Chipper the Fox sneaks through the forest to spread cheer to his weary friends. Will his merry making be a success? Or will a smelly fish disaster and a log pile tumble ruin his plans?
“Chipper Makes Merry” takes you on Chipper’s arctic quest filled with lessons of love, kindness and determination.

 
Buy the Book
 
 
I received a complimentary copy of this book from iRead Book Tours. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

 
Chipper Makes Merry by Kimber Fox Morgan is a delightful children’s book that left my niece smiling. She loved the cute characters drawn by Kim Sponaugle, especially the walrus. She liked its large teeth and round body. She also laughed when the Arctic fox held up the sticky fish. 


What I loved about Chipper Makes Merry, besides the adorable drawn characters, was the repetition. My niece was saying the following line with me in no time flat: Tip toe, tip toe, crackle crunch! 


While my five-year-old niece could make out some of the sight words in Chipper Makes Merry, there were still several words she needed my assistance with, such as mischief and scheme. This didn’t bother me because, with repetition, she will be able to decipher the words on her own soon enough. 


Overall, Chipper Makes Merry was a humungous hit. I love any book that promotes spreading cheer and helping out others. When people or animals are feeling sad, we should want to lift their spirits.
 

Heart Rating System:

1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤

 
 
 
Meet the Author:
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Morgan is a fun wife, and imperfect mom of 3 crazy kiddos and 2 little lemon (problematic) dogs. She tries to live her strengths the best she can. She likes to say she is creative, not crafty. Morgan is a homemade Halloween costume type of mom. She lets her kids mix the play doh. She bakes fun birthday cakes (cutely, but far from perfection). She loves a homemade valentine and a school project. Chipper the Fox is an extension of Morgan’s creative strength. Originally designed as character to create merry during the holiday season, Chipper has grown and developed into a story of determination and love.

connect with the author:
website ~ instagram  ~ Facebook

 

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