Once Upon a Dance

Goodreads Author


Website

Twitter

Genre

Member Since
October 2011

URL


Terrel is a dance educator and storyteller who believes in the transformative power of movement. Through her passion project, Once Upon a Dance, she’s published 42 interactive children’s books that weave whimsical stories with joyful movement.

With her daughter—a former Pacific Northwest Ballet Professional Division student—as the featured ballerina, Terrel brings movement into storytime, encouraging creativity, confidence, and self-expression in young readers.

Each book invites kids to stretch, twirl, leap, and imagine alongside positive characters—from dancing cats to ballerina zombies. Whether reading with a caregiver or moving along in the classroom, children are gently guided to explore feelings, movement, and connection through play.

Onc
...more

To ask Once Upon a Dance questions, please sign up.

Popular Answered Questions

Once Upon a Dance We have five additional Dance-It-Out stories, the final Dancing Shapes, Dancing Shapes with Cats, and a trilogy of dance books for kids ages 8-11 in p…moreWe have five additional Dance-It-Out stories, the final Dancing Shapes, Dancing Shapes with Cats, and a trilogy of dance books for kids ages 8-11 in progress. (less)
Average rating: 4.6 · 472 ratings · 342 reviews · 49 distinct worksSimilar authors
Princess Naomi Helps a Unic...

by
4.35 avg rating — 75 ratings7 editions
Rate this book
Clear rating
Brielle's Birthday Ball (Da...

by
4.45 avg rating — 40 ratings4 editions
Rate this book
Clear rating
Joey Finds His Jump!: A Dan...

by
4.56 avg rating — 25 ratings5 editions
Rate this book
Clear rating
Sora Searches for a Song: L...

by
4.83 avg rating — 23 ratings4 editions
Rate this book
Clear rating
Ready Set Dance: Getting Re...

by
4.77 avg rating — 22 ratings3 editions
Rate this book
Clear rating
Bellyrina: A Tutu Tale from...

by
4.95 avg rating — 21 ratings3 editions
Rate this book
Clear rating
The Cat with the Crooked Ta...

4.43 avg rating — 23 ratings3 editions
Rate this book
Clear rating
Ballerina Garden: The Art o...

4.89 avg rating — 18 ratings3 editions
Rate this book
Clear rating
Eka and the Elephants (Danc...

4.59 avg rating — 17 ratings
Rate this book
Clear rating
Sadoni Squirrel: Superhero ...

4.71 avg rating — 14 ratings2 editions
Rate this book
Clear rating
More books by Once Upon a Dance…

Once’s Recent Updates

Bellyrina by Once Upon a Dance
"
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 dan" Read more of this review »
Bellyrina by Once Upon a Dance
"Bellyrina is pure joy from cover to cover. Once Upon a Dance has a rare gift for turning movement into story, and story into magic. Bunny is too cute! Whimsical and lovely."
Bellyrina by Once Upon a Dance
"Bellyrina is pure kid joy on the page. Cute animals, fairy dust vibes, and dance prompts that actually get kids up and moving. My kid didn’t just listen to the story—they became part of it. Great for ages 4–8, especially dance lovers and little daydr" Read more of this review »
Bellyrina by Once Upon a Dance
"Bellyrina is the kind of picture book that makes you smile before you’ve even finished the first page. Bunny’s love of dance, the gentle humor, and the movement prompts all work together to turn reading time into a little celebration on the living ro" Read more of this review »
Once wants to read
Ballerina Garden by Once Upon a Dance
Rate this book
Clear rating
Once made a comment in the group Goodreads Librarians GroupUpdate My Cover topic
" Hi,
I have a new cover for www.goodreads.com/book/show/59827731-.... Could you please delete the current one so I can update the listing. Thank you so
...more "
Once rated a book it was amazing
Write, Teach, Spark by Cara J. Stevens
Rate this book
Clear rating
Write Teach Spark is a thoughtful, well-organized guide that offers both clarity and encouragement for writers looking to turn their passion and expertise into meaningful books. While especially valuable for nonfiction authors, this book offers tools ...more
Once rated a book it was amazing
How to Format a Children's Book for Self-Publishing by Becky Bayne
Rate this book
Clear rating
This is the book I wish I had when I started out 5 years ago. Authors, save yourself the questions and the wondering:
Is Bowker a legit site?
Do I need inside bleed?
Where can I get fonts that aren’t harboring viruses?

Ms. Bayne walks you through the
...more
Once is now following
23712185
Once is now following
240391
More of Once's books…

Topics Mentioning This Author

topics posts views last activity  
Shut Up & Read: * August- Back to School Challenge 29 28 Sep 01, 2021 07:24AM  
2025 & 2026 Readi...: Karen's Retired, Not Dead 2021 Challenge 7 77 Dec 31, 2021 06:22PM  
2025 & 2026 Readi...: Clear the Shelves - 2021 1068 1113 Jan 09, 2022 05:24AM  
Shut Up & Read: * Why Buy the Cow? Reading Challenge 37 80 Jan 10, 2022 08:45AM  
220 Goodreads Librarians Group — 303675 members — last activity 1 minute ago
Goodreads Librarians are volunteers who help ensure the accuracy of information about books and authors in the Goodreads' catalog. The Goodreads Libra ...more
26989 Goodreads Authors/Readers — 55640 members — last activity 52 minutes ago
This group is dedicated to connecting readers with Goodreads authors. It is divided by genres, and includes folders for writing resources, book websit ...more
85538 Oprah's Book Club (Official) — 84723 members — last activity 5 hours, 40 min ago
Welcome to the official Oprah's Book Club group. OBC is the interactive, multi-platform reading club bringing passionate readers together to discuss i ...more
1143876 Ballerina Book Club — 250 members — last activity Jun 01, 2023 08:58PM
Welcome to Ballerina Book Club, where all you need is an open book and an open mind! Hosted Isabella Boylston, principal dancer at American Ballet T ...more
No comments have been added yet.