What do you think?
Rate this book
Dream Dancer
When Lily has an accident and breaks her leg, she fears that her dreams of becoming a ballerina are forever gone, but a special wooden doll inspires Lily and makes her work for her goals once more.
- GenresPicture BooksChildrens
48 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2001
1 person is currently reading
21 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 6, 2018
Summary: This is the story of a girl named Lily that loves to dance. She dances all the time in fact. From day to night and anywhere from school to dance class and anywhere in between. She even danced in her dreams, and she danced until couldn't. One day during that year, she had a really bad fall that resulted in her breaking her leg and it didn't heal for months and months. Lily was very sad she couldn't do the thing she loved until one day when she saw the most little dancer in the window of a toy store and her grandma surprised her and bought it for her. The little girl named her Peggy and they went everywhere together worked on what Lily could do until she was better. Finally, it was time for Lily to get her cast off and she was so nervous to go back to class because "what if she forgot how to dance?" Yet when she showed up, there Peggy was waiting for her to help her get back into the routine of things and in the end, they even performed the big show together like a beautiful dream
Themes: The theme of this book is to never give up. This important to keep in mind because life has a way of beating people down time and time again until they feel like there may never be an end to all the bad things that are happening to them. But when they have hope, it can make any situation they are in not seem so pointless and worthwhile.
Personal Response: I like this book because I feel like it is really easy to get not on yourself, but this book shows you that you can get through things even if it seems like the worst of times. I find that in this world bad things are bound to happen, but it is key to look at the positive side of things like Lily did when she got Peggy. With that though, I also think it is important to have people or things that are there to support you when your hope begins to waver.
Recommendation: I would recommend this book for 2nd through 6th grade because those are times when children tend to get down on themselves about things they can't help and they feel like the world is against them. It is good to use this to remind them it is okay to ask for help when you need it and how there are always people that will be there for you. Another idea is to use it in a lesson to ask your class about what gets them down and what are ways they have support in their everyday life. I believe using this book will benefit them in knowing there is always a sunny day after a rainstorm as long as they know they can make it through it.
Themes: The theme of this book is to never give up. This important to keep in mind because life has a way of beating people down time and time again until they feel like there may never be an end to all the bad things that are happening to them. But when they have hope, it can make any situation they are in not seem so pointless and worthwhile.
Personal Response: I like this book because I feel like it is really easy to get not on yourself, but this book shows you that you can get through things even if it seems like the worst of times. I find that in this world bad things are bound to happen, but it is key to look at the positive side of things like Lily did when she got Peggy. With that though, I also think it is important to have people or things that are there to support you when your hope begins to waver.
Recommendation: I would recommend this book for 2nd through 6th grade because those are times when children tend to get down on themselves about things they can't help and they feel like the world is against them. It is good to use this to remind them it is okay to ask for help when you need it and how there are always people that will be there for you. Another idea is to use it in a lesson to ask your class about what gets them down and what are ways they have support in their everyday life. I believe using this book will benefit them in knowing there is always a sunny day after a rainstorm as long as they know they can make it through it.
February 26, 2020
Dream Dancer is a story about a little girl who loves to dance but is one day injured. Her grandma then buys her a toy that dances by itself to make Lily feel better. She watches the toy dancer dance for almost a year until Lily’s injury heals. When Lily decides to go back to dance class, she is scared and needs her dancing toy to help her remember how to dance. Lily notices that the toy is already in the classroom and this gave Lily the confidence to join back in. It took her almost a year to get back where she was but she was able to dance in the show.
The theme in Dream Dancer is that it is important to never give up on your dreams no matter what obstacles you must overcome.
When I read Dream Dancer, I could feel myself feel sad for Lily when she broke her foot and couldn’t dance but once she found the doll, I could see the life come back in her. She was able to put her love for dance into the doll and this reminds me that even when something doesn’t go your way you have to look at the good things still in your life.
I would recommend this book because it shows how you must go after your dreams even when you are scared and unsure. You can also rely on other people or items to give you strength in times of hardship. This is a valuable lesson for children because this story can show them that no matter what, they should chase their dreams.
The theme in Dream Dancer is that it is important to never give up on your dreams no matter what obstacles you must overcome.
When I read Dream Dancer, I could feel myself feel sad for Lily when she broke her foot and couldn’t dance but once she found the doll, I could see the life come back in her. She was able to put her love for dance into the doll and this reminds me that even when something doesn’t go your way you have to look at the good things still in your life.
I would recommend this book because it shows how you must go after your dreams even when you are scared and unsure. You can also rely on other people or items to give you strength in times of hardship. This is a valuable lesson for children because this story can show them that no matter what, they should chase their dreams.
April 12, 2018
Read at Storytime on April 11th
Theme: Just Dance!
Theme: Just Dance!
July 1, 2022
A simple story about a girl's dancing dream and her doll.
November 20, 2012
Grade/interest level: K-4th
Lexile level: N/A
Genre: Contemporary fiction
Characters: Lily and her doll
Setting: Lily’s house and the city where she lives
POV: omniscient
Lily is an Asian girl who loves to dance. She constantly dances, all the time and everywhere she goes. One day disaster strikes when Lily breaks her leg. She has to stop dancing, which hurt her far more than her injury ever could. Unable to dance, Lily sinks into a great depression. To help her get through her crisis, her grandma brings her a little dancing doll. Her doll dances everywhere for her. When Lily’s leg finally heals, it takes her some time to get back into the swing of things. With the support of her doll, Lily reclaims her former dancing glory. She goes right back to dancing her little heart out.
This is a good book to teach children about perseverance and overcoming obstacles. As a ballet enthusiast, I would also be inclined to use this book in the classroom to teach children about dance. Traditionally, dance is stereotyped as a girl’s activity. I think it’s important to teach kids that everyone can dance! This book would be paired well with a book like “Dancing to Freedom,” which is about a male dancer.
Lexile level: N/A
Genre: Contemporary fiction
Characters: Lily and her doll
Setting: Lily’s house and the city where she lives
POV: omniscient
Lily is an Asian girl who loves to dance. She constantly dances, all the time and everywhere she goes. One day disaster strikes when Lily breaks her leg. She has to stop dancing, which hurt her far more than her injury ever could. Unable to dance, Lily sinks into a great depression. To help her get through her crisis, her grandma brings her a little dancing doll. Her doll dances everywhere for her. When Lily’s leg finally heals, it takes her some time to get back into the swing of things. With the support of her doll, Lily reclaims her former dancing glory. She goes right back to dancing her little heart out.
This is a good book to teach children about perseverance and overcoming obstacles. As a ballet enthusiast, I would also be inclined to use this book in the classroom to teach children about dance. Traditionally, dance is stereotyped as a girl’s activity. I think it’s important to teach kids that everyone can dance! This book would be paired well with a book like “Dancing to Freedom,” which is about a male dancer.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 29, 2016
Dream Dancer is about Lily, who loves to dance. She dances everywhere, all day long. One unlucky day, Lily brakes her leg, and her dream of becoming a ballerina is crushed. Until a little dancing doll gives Lily hope and inspiration to try to dance again.
Theme: Don't give up hopes. The book tells that you should not give up your hopes, even if something stops you from your dreams. The story shows that there is a hope for everyone, and the story tells that you should follow your dream.
Every child has a dream, even if there is a dream job, a dream place to live, or a dream about getting a puppy. Every person can relate to this story in some way, and the story gives hope for everyone. The book is a reminder of that you should not gives up your hope, even if something stops you for living out your dreams.
I recommend this book because this is a beautifully told and gracefully illustrated story that every child can relate to. Lily's perseverance and hard work will appeal to anyone who has ever longed to join the dance or to follow a dream. The book opens up for discussion about dreams and dreams that are shattered.
Theme: Don't give up hopes. The book tells that you should not give up your hopes, even if something stops you from your dreams. The story shows that there is a hope for everyone, and the story tells that you should follow your dream.
Every child has a dream, even if there is a dream job, a dream place to live, or a dream about getting a puppy. Every person can relate to this story in some way, and the story gives hope for everyone. The book is a reminder of that you should not gives up your hope, even if something stops you for living out your dreams.
I recommend this book because this is a beautifully told and gracefully illustrated story that every child can relate to. Lily's perseverance and hard work will appeal to anyone who has ever longed to join the dance or to follow a dream. The book opens up for discussion about dreams and dreams that are shattered.
July 10, 2017
This story of a girl who loves to dance so much that it basically consumes her every waking moment was pretty easy to connect to considering that I have a pretty addictive personality. My obsession is books, but still. When this girl broke her leg, it must have been like her world coming down around her. The way she pulled through was creative and heartwarming. I liked this book. Good read for anyone who has experienced a setback and had to come out on the other side.
March 15, 2011
This book has colorful pictures. Lily loves to dance but she broke her leg. At the end of the book Lily danced again. This book has an easy to follow plot and is also easy to read.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews