Do you have a little ballerina in your life? One that lives in her tutu and leotard even when it isn't a dance lesson day? Do you know a child, especially a little boy, that thinks that they can't dance or don't belong in a ballet class? You need to read Dance is For Everyone by Andrea Zuill.
This story is about what happens when a 450 pound alligator shows up in a ballet class one day and wants to learn to dance. At first, the students and teacher don't know what to think or do. They'd never had such a different type of student in their dance school before. The alligator, later named Tanya, is so enthusiastic about ballet and so happy to dance that everyone overlooks their differences and looks for ways to work together to put on the best ballet show ever!
We loved everything about this book. The story is really funny. (Have you ever seen an alligator try to do a ballet twirl?) I love the message of inclusiveness and acceptance, especially at the end, when instead of changing the alligator to fit in with the class, the class learns to find a place for Tanya's strengths.
Andrea Zuill's illustration style is so charming and adds so much character and humor to the story. This is Andrea's second children's book. If you want to learn more about the author and her books, check out her website here.
