Dance Is for Everyone

By Andrea Zuill

An alligator joins a ballet class, surprising everyone. Can she fit in?

3.8/5 Goodreads · 359 ratings

26 pages

$16.95Save 7%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

When a 450-pound alligator unexpectedly joins Mrs. Iraina's ballet class, the dancers are stunned. Unable to communicate with her, they name her Tanya and let her stay, marveling at her ability to follow along. As Tanya's unique talents shine, Mrs. Iraina creates a special ballet just for her. But when Tanya suddenly disappears, the class must confront the challenge of inclusion and understanding. Will they find Tanya and embrace her differences? This whimsical tale explores the power of acceptance and the joy of dance, even for the most unexpected participants.

From the publisher

Dancing is for EVERYONE. Even a 450-pound alligator! “ . . . a sweet, funny celebration of inclusiveness and dedication to dance.” –Horn Book An alligator dancing ballet? When the reptile takes her place at the barre, Mrs. Iraina and her dancers are very surprised. But since they can’t communicate with the alligator–and she is able to follow along–they just decide to name her Tanya and let her stay. (Would YOU say no to a 450-pound alligator?) Mrs. Iraina even creates a special ballet to showcase Tanya’s larger-than-life talents . . . and super-swishy tail. Then, without warning, Tanya disappears. Funny and irreverent, Dance Is for Everyone shows that, with just a little understanding, anyone can fit in–even a dancing alligator. “The illustrations are stylized and quirky, and the plot is engaging, with jokes that adults will appreciate peppered throughout. The narrative conveys the story’s message of inclusion in a subtle manner, but the book’s title makes this important theme abundantly clear. VERDICT A fun read-aloud and a welcome addition to medium and large collections, best shared one-on-one or in a small group setting.” –School Library Journal

At a glance