Tag Archives: zoo

December 12, 2025 · 7:00 am

Bellyrina: A Tutu Tale from the Belly of the Beast by Once Upon a Dance (Book Review)

Bunny leaps from the wolf’s belly with only one memory—she loves to dance. But something, or someone, is STILL MISSING!

Bellyrina delivers Once Upon a Dance’s signature blend of heartwarming stories and playful humor wrapped in the mission of inspiring joyful movement.

Dance-Along Fun with Once Upon a Dance features
• Interactive movement prompts
• Sweet, silly, and uplifting
• Screen-free fun that encourages connection
• Movement motivation photos
• Lessons in empathy that extend to all creatures
• Positive characters that celebrate strong girls

Perfect for ages 4–8, Bellyrina features adorable animals, fairy magic, gentle drama, and plenty of sparkle. Whether shared in classrooms, studios, or at home, this Dancing Ever After series debut invites children to dance their own happily ever after.

From the creators of over 40 dance books comes a fresh twist on a classic tale, great for
• Bedtime stories to get the wiggles out
• Dance classes and creative movement activities
• Family reading time with built-in physical play
• Gifts for little dancers, animal lovers, and active kids

Bellyrina: A Tutu Tale from the Belly of the Beast Movement & Learning Benefits
Physical Skills Development
• Full-body movements: stretching, jumping, bunny hops, twirls, spins
• Coordination patterns: arm sweeps, windmill arms, lasso movements
• Balance & control: tiptoeing, reaching, controlled falls
• Partner activities: hand-holding twirls, cooperative movement

Social-Emotional Learning Through Story
• Core themes: courage, resilience, kindness, friendship, and identity
• Emotional intelligence: recognizing and expressing joy, suspicion, and wonder
• Mindfulness concepts: breath awareness and finding stillness
• Character development: persistence, teamwork, and appreciation

Creative Expression & Social Skills
• Imaginative movement: gulping, sneezing, shivering for story context
• Free dance exploration and personal expression
• Interactive play that builds confidence

Transform reading time into active fun with giggles and wiggles for everyone!

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

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

 

It’s time to get up and get movin’ with Bellyrina: A Tutu Tale from the Belly of the Beast by Once Upon a Dance! Follow the dancer’s movements demonstrated in the purple ovals. Challenge yourself with the “trickier” moves, such as “wolf creep.” Try your hand at matching the moves to the story. (Bonus feature) However, before you do all that, let’s take a look at the story and discover what or who is causing such a commotion.

Wolves in fairy tales tend to bite off more than they can chew, and the beast in this energetic and exciting story is no different. Luckily, Peter and his friends are there to wrangle and see him safely to the zoo, but this is not the last we’ve seen of the big bad wolf. Why? Because a pink bunny with selective amnesia says the wolf swallowed not just them but someone else, too, and that mystery animal is still trapped in the wolf’s belly. Let the rescue mission begin!

How does the friend group, along with the rabbit, plan to retrieve the imprisoned animal? Ah, that adorable plan will remain a secret. To find out the answer, you must get the book. I highly recommend you do. Bellyrina: A Tutu Tale from the Belly of the Beast features page after page of cuteness from the silly artwork to the amusing text.

The heart on the bunny’s belly was a sweet touch. The rescued animal looked adorable in their tutu. Milo’s (the cat’s) facial expression and sarcastic tone when meeting the bunny for the first time were quite humorous. The dance party scene will tickle some ribs. Plus, let’s not forget that every page encourages readers to get up and move with visual prompts.

There is so much to love about this book, from its amusing storyline to its interactive movement prompts. I encourage you to share it with your family or students, as it not only entertains but also promotes physical activity.

Amazon recommends a reading age of 4-8 years.

 

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

 

 

 

Meet the Team! 

Discover a delightful way to introduce children to the world of dance. Once Upon a Dance combines whimsical stories with movement, breath, and connection to spark imagination and foster self-expression.

Their catalog (36 books across six series) offers positive role models, whimsy, humor, and diverse characters. Alongside movement and dance, books feature themes of empathy, friendship, the value of practice, self-acceptance, sibling relationships, anger management, and working toward goals.

Ballerina Konora is living her dreams as a full-fledged ballet Company Artist. Teacher Terrel arrived in Seattle after a Peace Corps stint teaching English and dance. Complementing decades of teaching dance, she worked in early childhood education and for non-profits supporting kids. Terrel was recognized by her local City Council for “embodying the spirit of partnership and commitment to children in our community” for her work with young dancers. She also serves on Pacific Northwest Ballet’s Board of Directors.

Stories are lovingly crafted, and royalties are donated to charity partners. A few highlighted honors:

• Family Choice Award

• Mom’s Choice Gold Award Recipient

• PenCraft Award: First Place

• Firebird Book Award: First Place

• Royal Dragonfly Book Award: First Place

• Pinnacle Book Achievement Award – Best Book Juvenile Fiction

• Outstanding Creator Awards: Best Children’s Book, Top 10 Author of 2022 & 2023

• Kirkus Reviews Starred Review

@Once_UponADance (Instagram)
DanceStories.com 
Amazon Author Page Link
Reedsy Author Link

 

 

 

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November 11, 2024 · 7:00 am

Dingo Toad Helps a Friend by Lamar Golden and Liana Golden (Book Review)

Join Dingo Toad on an inspiring adventure in Dingo Toad Helps a Friend. In this heartwarming tale, Dingo Toad discovers the true meaning of friendship and bravery when his friend Penny faces bullies. With a big heart and a courageous spirit, Dingo Toad stands up to the bullies and teaches us all valuable lessons about kindness, resilience, and standing up for what’s right.

Perfect for young readers, this beautifully illustrated book not only entertains but also provides important life lessons on dealing with bullies and being a good friend. Share this wonderful story with your children and help them understand that everyone has the power to make a difference.

Dingo Toad Helps a Friend is a must-read for any child who has ever faced a bully or wanted to help someone in need. Let Dingo Toad inspire your little ones to be brave and compassionate in the face of adversity.


Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

 

(review request submitted by the author for an honest critique) 

 

Dingo Toad lived in the southern swamp region of planet Venesha. This uniquely illustrative character’s fashion sense resembled what Earthlings wear daily: t-shirt, shorts, and open-toed shoes. Dingo was also sporting a white mohawk. Nice hairdo!

While the alien’s style was something you’d see here on our planet, Dingo had features that definitely screamed Alien! For one, Dingo had large yellow spots covering their teal skin. They also had a toad-shaped face with two oversized eyes and mouth, two holes for nostrils, a purple tongue, three large toes on each foot, and four fingers on each hand.

While Dingo Toad looked different than you or me, they enjoyed many of the same things as us. Dingo looked very adorable playing in the bubble bath. I found it cute that Dingo was listening to his mom read him Nortis Goes Swimming—another book by Lamar and Liana Golden. Dingo shared one important similarity with humans: their planet, like ours, had bullies. When Dingo saw his friend, Penny, being bullied by Sangu and Piman, he did not hurry away. Dingo didn’t throw punches, either. He, very sternly, demanded they apologize for being “meanies,” which they did immediately.

Unfortunately, kids will encounter bullies during their school years. Maybe they will be the target, or perhaps they’ll witness someone else being harassed. No matter the situation, kids should follow Dingo’s example —use your words, not your fists. Not every bully apologizes as quickly as they did in this story. That is where the extended lesson on how to deal with bullies should be addressed with your child or class. Ask kids what they would do if their friend is being bullied, and the “meanies” don’t stop when asked.

Dingo Toad Helps a Friend is a wonderful sci-fi children’s book that shows the importance of standing up to bullies and the power of our words. I loved every colorful and imaginative illustration. The wild and wacky zoo animals were my favorite! Even though I won’t be placing flies in my ice cream or other foods any time soon, I even thought the bug-infused desserts were cute, too.

Check out this and every book featured on the planet, Venesha!

Amazon’s recommended reading age is baby-12 years.


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

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

 

Meet the Authors

Lamar:  I am a Navy Veteran who has traveled the world, met wonderful people and have enjoyed the culture, diversity and cuisines from around the world. I enjoy making up stories with my daughter to pass time and love to smoke ribs, brisket and any other meat or fish that I think would taste good.

I love hunting and fishing and believe in passing on lessons learned down to the younger generation. My motto is reach for the stars and see where it takes you.

 

Liana:  Second grade student who enjoys playing with friends, going to KidZania & Disneyland, learning at school and spending time with my mom and dad.  I love the zoo, learning about nature which my dad alw

 

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January 1, 2024 · 7:00 am

So That’s How They Sleep by Rishi Oberoi (Book Review)

Immerse your little ones in a captivating bedtime adventure filled with soothing storytelling, gentle lullabies, and enchanting illustrations.

This magical book creates a serene atmosphere, ensuring peaceful nights and sweet dreams.

This picture book takes young readers on a delightful journey through a zoo, where they meet adorable animal characters preparing for bed. As you read aloud, you’ll discover the power of storytelling and lullabies in calming young minds and establishing a tranquil sleep routine.

Beyond a simple bedtime story, this book serves as a comprehensive guide for parents and caregivers. It provides valuable insights into sleep training techniques and fostering healthy sleep habits for children. You’ll learn effective strategies to create a relaxing bedtime routine that strengthens the parent-child bond while promoting restful nights.

This book is written for:

  • Toddlers
  • Little children
  • Parents and caregivers who want to help their kids sleep

 

With its beautiful illustrations and engaging tales, this book captures children’s imaginations and invites them into a world of relaxation and comfort.

The charming animal characters and their bedtime rituals make it a perfect sleep aid for toddlers, setting the stage for a peaceful night’s sleep.

Parents, grandparents, and caregivers will appreciate the serene atmosphere and positive messages embedded within the book. It not only fosters a calming bedtime routine but also instills values of empathy and kindness through the adventures of the animal characters.

This book combines storytelling and lullabies. Lullabies are scientifically proven to help babies sleep, stimulate language and cognitive development, and also strengthen the bond between a parent and child.

Order your copy now and join the bedtime adventure!

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

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

 

People love to visit zoos because they love observing wild and exotic animals up close. It makes them feel a part of their world but under the protection of a wall, trench, or glass. Big or small creatures, adults or babies, we love watching them play, eat, sleep, swim, or enjoy the sun’s rays. When the animals look “happy,” our hearts burst with joy. When an animal is sick, sad, or hurt, our hearts break. One late night, North looked out her bedroom window and listened to the cries of the zoo babies. She wanted to help them, but how?

North had a secret, a special skill no one knew she possessed; she could speak to animals. What a fantastic talent, and one that kids will wish they had, too. Maybe even some adults! At each animal’s “home,” North sang them a lullaby. Her soothing rendition of “Rock-a-Bye Baby” helped the baby monkeys drift off to sleep. All five verses of “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” was sung to the zesty zebras, which was phenomenal since most people, like myself, stop after the first verse. As North visited each baby animal, she lulled them to sleep with her loving tone. Calves, pups, chicks, infants, foals, and adults couldn’t keep their eyes open very long once North started singing.

North serenaded them with famous lullabies like “Row Row Row Your Boat” and “Hush Little Baby, Don’t Say a Word.” The little girl also introduced readers to unfamiliar rhymes and tunes like the ones shared with the elegant elephant and its calf, the beastly bears and their cubs, and the legendary lions and their cubs. 

So That’s How They Sleep is a sweet story that serves many purposes. First, caregivers can teach children the names of nine animals and their “baby name.” Second, it also incorporates songs and rhymes. Last but not least, it creates droopy eyes and causes yawns to appear. It’s the perfect nap time or bedtime story! 

The illustrated baby animals were so cute. This story, as a whole, was adorable. My only complaint was the ending. It led readers to believe that the little girl was the only one awake, yet the picture (before the final text) demonstrated the opposite. I would’ve moved the last line, “One little child…,” before the image of North sleeping. It would have given readers the impression that her soothing lullabies even lulled her to sleep. Despite that one confusing moment, I adored the children’s book and recommend sharing it with your baby, toddler, or preschooler. 

 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤❤1/2

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

Meet the Author

Step into the enchanting world of Rishi Oberoi, a devoted father and an extraordinary children’s book author hailing from the captivating landscapes of California. With an innate passion for writing and an unyielding affection for children, Rishi masterfully weaves words into mesmerizing tales that capture the hearts of young readers and parents alike.

What sets Rishi apart from the rest is his remarkable ability to connect with his audience. He possesses an intuitive understanding of what makes young imaginations soar and what fuels their thirst for knowledge. Drawing from his own experiences as a loving father, his adventuresome travels, and his insatiable appetite for learning, Rishi crafts stories that are both fantastical and relatable.

Rishi’s books transcend the boundaries of entertainment as they kindle curiosity, ignite imagination, and instill a lifelong passion for reading. These captivating narratives serve as windows to a world of thought, gently guiding young minds to embrace the joy of discovery. For Rishi, the learning process is as cherished as the final destination, fostering growth, resilience, and unbounded creativity.

Immerse yourself in the enchanting realm of his books, where storytelling takes flight, dreams soar, and the joy of learning knows no bounds. Join him on this remarkable journey as he continues to ignite young minds, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of children.

Reedsy Author Link

 

 

 

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