Books About Dance · 584 titles considered

The Best Dance Books for Kids

Looking for excellent children's books about dance? This collection brings together Bookroo's highest-rated and most useful picks in one place.

Start with our editorial favorites, then browse recommendations organized by reading stage to find the right book for your reader.

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Dance

Sale price

$1597

Chapter Book · Ages 8–11 · 2015

Appleblossom the Possum

By Holly Goldberg Sloan, Gary Rosen (Illustrator), Gary A. Rosen (Illustrator)

A young possum named Appleblossom navigates the dangers of the world with her family and learns to rely on her instincts and her brothers to survive

274 pages· 30,695 words· Est. 4.5 hour read

5.3/7 Bookroo experts·3.9/5 Goodreads · 2,102 ratings

$16.99Save 6%

Summary: Appleblossom, a young possum, knows to avoid humans and dogs. But curiosity leads her down a chimney into a human home. As her brothers plan a daring rescue, Appleblossom and a lonely girl inside discover the wonders of friendship and bravery. Can they navigate this new world together, or will the dangers prove too great? This charming tale of adventure and discovery is perfect for young readers.

Sale price

$1597

Chapter Book · Ages 7–12 · 1951

Ellen Tebbits

By Beverly Cleary, Tracy Dockray (Illustrator) · Book #1 in the Ellen & Otis series

Ellen's secret bonds her to Austine, but a mistake threatens their friendship. Can she make amends?

192 pages· 22,745 words· Est. 3 hour read

4.0/5 Goodreads · 8,648 ratings

$16.99Save 6%

Summary: Ellen Tebbits has a secret she swore to keep hidden, until she meets Austine, who shares the same secret. Their friendship blossoms through dance classes and adventures, but a mistake by Ellen shatters their bond. With Austine refusing to speak to her, Ellen is desperate to mend their friendship. How can she prove her remorse and win back her best friend? This humorous tale explores the ups and downs of childhood friendships and the lengths one will go to for forgiveness.

Sale price

$1544

Picture Book · Ages 4–6

Dancing Dinos Go to School

By Sally Lucas, Margeaux Lucas (Illustrator) · Dancing Dinos series

Dinosaurs spend their day playing, learning, and having fun in school.

32 pages· 120 words· Est. 1 min read-aloud

4.0/5 Goodreads · 557 ratings

$16.25Save 5%

Summary: When a magical book opens in the school library, dancing dinosaurs leap out, turning a quiet classroom into a whirlwind of musical chaos. Can the kids restore order before it's too late? Join the fun in this rhyming adventure perfect for young readers eager to explore the world of words.

Sale price

$474

Chapter Book · Ages 4–7 · 1993

Nina, Nina Ballerina

By Jane O'Connor

Nina's mom must find her among many butterflies at the dance show. Can she do it?

32 pages· 429 words· Est. 8 min read

3.8/5 Goodreads · 108 ratings

$4.99Save 5%

Summary: At the big dance show, Nina is dressed as a butterfly with colorful wings and a bug mask. But she's not alone—there are many butterflies on stage. How will her mom recognize her amidst the fluttering crowd? Join Nina in this delightful tale as she hopes to stand out and be seen by the one who matters most. Will her mom spot her in time, or will Nina's performance go unnoticed? Discover the charming solution in this engaging story perfect for young readers.

Sale price

$474

Picture Book · Ages 4–6 · 2011

Katy Duck Makes a Friend

By Alyssa Satin Capucilli, Henry Cole (Illustrator)

Can a dancing duck and a rough boy find common ground to play together?

24 pages· 258 words· Est. 2 min read-aloud

3.6/5 Goodreads · 80 ratings

$4.99Save 5%

Summary: Katy Duck loves to dance, twirling and leaping with joy. But when her new neighbor Ralph arrives, his love for rough-and-tumble games clashes with her graceful moves. Can these two opposites find a way to have fun together despite their differences? Join Katy and Ralph on a delightful journey of friendship and discovery, where the challenge is to bridge their worlds and create a new kind of play. Will they find a way to dance to the same tune, or will their differences keep them apart?

Sale price

$674

Chapter Book · Ages 8–11 · 2019

New Moves

By Margaret Gurevich, Addy Rivera Sonda (Illustrator) · Academy of Dance series

New dance class, new friend. Can Gabby keep her old friendships intact?

72 pages

3.9/5 Goodreads · 15 ratings

$6.95Save 3%

Summary: Gabby is thrilled to explore contemporary dance at Ms. Marianne's Academy, enjoying the freedom of dancing for fun. But when a new friendship blossoms, her old friends feel sidelined. Can Gabby juggle her passion for dance and her friendships without losing what she holds dear? As she navigates this delicate balance, Gabby must decide if she can embrace new experiences without leaving her past behind. Will she find a way to keep everyone in her life happy, or will she have to make a tough choice?

Sale price

$759

Board Book · Ages 3–5 · 2017

This Little Trailblazer

By Joan Holub, Daniel Roode (Illustrator) · This Little Primer series

Discover ten women who changed history with their courage and vision.

26 pages

6.8/7 Bookroo experts·4.4/5 Goodreads · 460 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Summary: Meet ten remarkable women who reshaped history with their courage and intelligence. This vibrant board book introduces young readers to empowering female trailblazers who paved the way for a brighter future. Through engaging facts and bold illustrations, children will explore the stories of these influential leaders, sparking inspiration and curiosity. Who were these women, and how did they change the world? Dive into this girl power primer to find out!

Picture Book · Ages 4–7 · 2003

The Nutcracker

By Nick Denchfield

Uncover magical pop-up scenes in a Nutcracker adventure.

12 pages

6.0/7 Bookroo experts·4.7/5 Goodreads · 25 ratings

Summary: Join Clara on a whimsical journey through enchanting pop-up scenes. Witness a midnight battle between mice and toy soldiers, and glide to the Land of Sweets. Discover surprises behind every flap in this magical Nutcracker tale.

Sale price

$1248

Picture Book · Ages 3–7 · 1998

Bijou, Bonbon and Beau

Kittens disrupt a Parisian ballet, causing chaos and wonder.

26 pages

6.0/7 Bookroo experts·3.9/5 Goodreads · 72 ratings

$12.95Save 4%

Summary: In a Parisian theater famed for its ballet and resident artist, three mischievous kittens leap onto the stage, turning a graceful performance into a delightful spectacle. As dancers twirl and the artist captures the scene, the kittens' antics spark both chaos and charm. Will the show go on, or will these furry intruders steal the spotlight? Discover how a night at the ballet becomes an unforgettable event, blending art, dance, and unexpected feline flair.

Sale price

$1597

Picture Book · Ages 3–7 · 2016

Wally Does Not Want a Haircut

By Amanda Driscoll

A sheep's shaggy wool causes trouble, forcing him to face his fear of haircuts.

32 pages· 312 words· Est. 3 min read-aloud

5.8/7 Bookroo experts·3.7/5 Goodreads · 432 ratings

$16.99Save 6%

Summary: Wally the sheep is determined to avoid a haircut, despite his wool causing chaos. As his barnyard friends flaunt stylish new looks, Wally's unruly hair becomes a hindrance. When his shaggy coat prevents him from joining the hoedown, Wally must confront his fear of the shears. Will he embrace change and discover the power of a mother's hug? This delightful tale explores courage and the unexpected joys of transformation.

The Bookroo Book Club

Great books, picked for their age.

Books worth reading again and again, delivered to your door.

Find their book club

Browse by age

Dance Board Books for Babies & Toddlers

Sturdy, inviting books about dance for the youngest readers and listeners.

Sale price

$699

Giraffes Can't Dance

Ages 3–5 · 2012

A giraffe finds his rhythm and learns to dance.

Sale price

$1140

The Nutcracker

Ages 1–3 · 2018

A Nutcracker doll springs to life, leading a girl on a magical Christmas adventure.

Sale price

$599

The Snowman Shuffle

Ages 1–4 · 2015

Dance through winter with playful rhymes and fun moves.

Sale price

$999

Flora and the Ostrich

Ages 3–5 · 2017

Flora meets a new friend and learns opposites attract.

Sale price

$799

I Love My Tutu Too!

Ages 2–4 · 2020

Critters in tutus dance and count to ten. Join the fun!

Sale price

$795

ABC Dance!

Ages 0–4 · 2020

Dance through the alphabet with lively animals and rhymes.

Sale price

$895

Miss Bunny's Shapes

Ages 0–4 · 2017

Uncover the mystery of Miss Bunny's party while learning shapes.

Sale price

$799

The Bunny Rabbit Show!

Ages 1–4 · 2014

Join a lively bunny revue where hopping never stops and everyone can dance along.

Sale price

$799

Barnyard Dance!

Ages 0–4 · 1993

Join a lively barnyard dance with twirling pigs and fiddle-playing cows.

Sale price

$699

Let's Dance, Little Pookie

Ages 1–5 · 2008

Join the dance party and shimmy with Little Pookie in a toe-tapping adventure.

Sale price

$599

I'm a Ballerina!

Ages 2–5 · 2015

A young dancer faces her first recital. Will she shine on stage?

Sale price

$699

Dancing Feet!

Ages 2–5 · 2010

Who dances to the clickity beat? Discover the rhythm and join the fun!

View all dance board books

Browse by age

Dance Picture Books

Illustrated read-alouds about dance for preschool and elementary-age readers.

Sale price

$1699

The Dance of the Realms

Ages 3–5 · 2018

Enter a magical realm where dance and holiday spirit come alive.

Sale price

$1699

Flora and the Penguin

Ages 3–6 · 2014

A skater and a penguin must mend their friendship on the ice.

Sale price

$1799

Penguin Cha-Cha

Ages 3–7 · 2013

A girl tries to join dancing penguins at the zoo.

Sale price

$599

The Berenstain Bears and the Nutcracker

Ages 3–7 · 2011

The Berenstain Bears discover magic in a nutcracker gift.

Sale price

$1899

Josephine

Ages 7–10 · 2013

From poverty to stardom, Josephine Baker's journey defies the odds.

Sale price

$1799

Flora and the Peacocks

Ages 3–5 · 2016

Three friends navigate the delicate dance of friendship. Can they find harmony?

Sale price

$1699

Ballerino Nate

Ages 4–7 · 2006

A boy defies stereotypes to pursue his ballet dreams.

Sale price

$1899

The Sleeping Beauty

Ages 4–8 · 2017

Experience a modern ballet retelling of The Sleeping Beauty with stunning illustrations.

Sale price

$2099

Flora and the Flamingo

Ages 3–6 · 2013

A girl and a flamingo discover the art of friendship through dance.

Sale price

$1799

Giant Dance Party

Ages 4–8 · 2013

Giants seek dance lessons, leading to a fear-conquering boogie showdown.

Sale price

$1899

When Langston Dances

Ages 4–8 · 2021

A boy dreams of dancing, but can he make the street his stage?

Sale price

$1799

Powwow Day

Ages 4–8 · 2022

River longs to dance at the powwow but illness holds her back. Can community heal her spirit?

View all dance picture books

Browse by age

Dance Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about dance for developing and independent readers.

Sale price

$599

Crushed

Ages 8–12 · 2019

Ghostly dance club faces unexpected rivalry at Limbo Central.

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$1099

School Night Fever

Ages 7–12 · 2011

A dance team faces sabotage and a sick teacher before a big competition.

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$1099

Dance With Me (11)

Ages 7–12 · 2021

Dance dreams and crushes collide on a flamenco trip to Spain.

The Competition

Ages 8–12 · 2019

Harper faces rivals and old teammates in a national dance showdown.

Sale price

$899

The Callback

Ages 9–13 · 2018

Can Harper regain her passion and balance dance with new challenges?

Sale price

$599

Ballet Backflip

Ages 8–12 · 2015

Ella's ballet dreams are challenged by a new gymnastics craze. Will she follow her heart or the crowd?

Sale price

$599

Extra Weird! (WeirDo #3)

Ages 7–10 · 2014

Can Weir balance soccer dreams and family antics without falling flat?

Graphic Nov.

Sale price

$2499

Besties Find Their Groove

Ages 8–12 · 2022

Two friends face fashion dilemmas and date pressures before the school dance.

Sale price

$799

The Love Pug

Ages 8–12 · 2019

A matchmaking pug stirs up romance and secrets before the school dance.

Sale price

$1295

Claude in the Spotlight

Ages 7–9 · 2013

A dance debut at a haunted theater leads to ghostly surprises and spooky fun.

Sale price

$899

Thea Stilton and the Dancing Shadows

Ages 7–10 · 2013

A ballet competition in Italy hides a sinister plot. Can the Thea Sisters uncover the truth?

Sale price

$699

Amelia Bedelia Dances Off

Ages 6–10 · 2015

A young girl learns to dance and finds her passion.

View all dance chapter books

Keep exploring

Books about ballet Books about dinosaurs Books about facing fears Books about feelings and emotions Books about female role models Books about haircuts Books about historical figures Books about making friends

Our 10 Favorite Books About Dance

Great books, picked for their age.

Dance Board Books for Babies & Toddlers

Dance Picture Books

Dance Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Bookroo

Book Clubs

Book Store

Schools

Book Platform

Authors & Illustrators

Follow Bookroo