Dance Is for Everyone

by Andrea Zuill

Dancing is for EVERYONE. Even a 450-pound alligator!
 
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. Dance Is for Everyone shows that, with just a little understanding, anyone can fit in—even a dancing alligator. 

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Animals, Storytime, Fiction, Friendship, Sports

Hardcover

First published April 4, 2017

Reviews

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

When an over-sized alligator shows up at Miss Iraina's ballet class, teacher and pupils accept her presence, and work around some of the concerns it raises, from an out-of-control tail to issues of what she will eat when she gets hungry. Dubbing the newcomer Tanya, the class take their new peer to heart, and eventually join with Miss Iraina in planning a special dance - Queen of the Swamp - in which this eusuchian dancer can shine. All goes well until after the day of the recital, when Tanya disappears. Is it the end of the dancing alligator, or is something else afoot...?

Having greatly enjoyed author/illustrator Andrea Zuill's picture-book debut, the amusing Wolf Camp , I fully expected to find Dance Is for Everyone entertaining, and I was not disappointed! The narrative is sweet and heartwarming, showing Miss Iraina and the children working to include their eusuchian friend, rather than retreating from her in fear, because she is different from them. The artwork is immensely expressive, and very droll - I enjoyed Tanya's enthusiasm, as well as the watchful side-eyes the children give her at first, as they all practice together - capturing the humor of the story quite nicely. The picture-book world already includes ballerina mice, dancing zombies and vampires, why not alligators? Recommended to all young ballet enthusiasts!

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading Business Pig in a bookstore a few days back (I was having a lousy day, and stepped inside for some picture book therapy), I decided I wanted to read more by author/illustrator Andrea Zuill, and requested this one from the library. It is equally charming, and like the more recently published book, has appealing illustrations, a funny story, and a sweet message. The only drawback is that my son who still gets picture books read to him is not quite the convert I am (at 14, ABC and lift the flap books are still favorites), but what can you do. Picture books are for everyone, including me, apparently.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

What would you do if a 450-pound alligator wanted to join your dance class? Let them join (with caution), of course! And, what do you with an alligator that does not have control over their gigantic tail?! Get together, and create a dance called "The Legend of the Swamp Queen"! But, what has happened to the alligator after the big performance? You'll have to read the book to find out.
Zuill's illustration's are perfectly cheery for her whimsical story about an alligator that joins a dance class. As an aspiring teacher librarian, I appreciate the dance teacher's efforts to include the different abilities of her new student. This book is fun and has a subtle message about including everyone while being aware and respectful of our differences.

[Westminster Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

It doesn't matter if you weigh a)450 pounds, b)have a long swishy tail or c)all of the preceding...if you like to dance you should go for it. This is a wonderful message for young ones to learn and this book's funny illustrations help drive home the message.

Find
Dance is for Everyoneat the Westminster Public Library!

[Angie Quantrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this adorable tale of inclusivity. What better to illustrate a welcoming atmosphere than a dance class full of tiny dancers who embrace a visiting alligator?

[☁︎ ☾ ｡⋆ morgan ⋆｡☽ ☁︎ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was in ballet as a child. It's hard to recall the memories, but if I had to picture my experience, I feel I would relate much to the alligator. I was too big and too quiet, too excited and too do-it-my-own-way all at once. I loved ballet though, and I still do. I belonged there. Dance is for everyone, and especially in ballet, it's hard to see that...which is why this cute book is exactly what kids need.

[Mitchell Friedman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't like the twist at the end, which is sad because I usually like a twist. But this whole book was kind of a twist, so I guess that was okay. The art was pretty good, the text had some cute word choices. And the ending is maybe growing on me a little bit. A sweet book, but perhaps slightly menacing.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

An alligator joins the dance studio where the children name her Tanya! (After a famous ballerina.) The instructor and kids work around Tanya's deficits. And then Tanya takes what she has learned back to the swamp. Charming!

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Very cute!

[Rachelle Hart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book that shows acceptance of people (or animals) who may be different from you. Loved that it showed both the girls and the teacher actively working to include Tanya.

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a complete mystery why a full grown alligator wanders into a kids' ballet class. After the teacher settles some understandable concerns by purchasing a very large bag of Alligator Chow, the new student not only settles into class, but becomes the star of the show. Andrea Zuill's hilarious illustrations make this my new favorite book. If you like pure fantasy, animal stories, and good humor, this book is for you. Your children, 5 years old and up, will enjoy it too. There are a couple pages where the printer placed important images right on the inner binding seam. I hope those are corrected in the paperback edition. But, "Dance is for Everyone" is a must read to find out why that gator showed up in the first place!

[Ame · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know why, but there's something so inherently charming about placing a large and scary predator in a space filled with vulnerable children (the "Library Lion" book also executes this quite well). This sweet lady alligator just wants to dance alongside the children in ballet, and they make accommodations for her, NO questions asked! They even create a new ballet called "The Swamp Queen" and make the alligator the star of the show. There's something so cool about books where kids just accept a quirky circumstance and roll with it. It helps dissipate the concept of "otherness" and it becomes enthusiastic inclusion instead. I may very well be projecting my own ideals into this book though.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH! IT'S GREAT! EVERYONE SHOULD READ IT!!!

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love! Love! Love! such a great message for its reader about acceptance and learning to work with others.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, a 450 pound alligator wants to take ballet? YES, PLEASE!! After all, dance is for everyone!! XXOO

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous! Love it. A perfect read for anyone who doesn't think they can dance.

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

When an alligator shows up at ballet class, the teacher and other students decide to just make it work. They have to make some adjustments, but eventually everything goes swimmingly and they come up with a fantastic new recital piece. But after the recital, the new student disappears. Did something go wrong? What happened to the new dancer?

I love how the teacher and students react to the alligator showing up, and their adaptations. The story is both humorous and sweet. Obviously, there are lots of potential conversations that could come up with this story from the fact that really anyone can dance if they want to accepting others despite their differences to the question of how you are helping others with your skills. Read and think or read and just laugh, either is totally ok.

[Sonya Bright]

This book has a cute concept and kid-friendly humour. Children will enjoy all the mishaps and dangers the ballet class encounters when an alligator turns up for dance lessons.

I really liked some of the illustrations of the kids, and the pages inside the front and back covers. Children will enjoy spotting the alligators in amongst the other dancers.

I feel like some aspects of the book were a bit unfinished, however. The twist at the end could have been a bigger surprise, and some of the illustrations look a bit too washed-out and underdone.

A fun concept, especially for the young dancers in your life. But perhaps not one to be read again and again.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a fantastical story. After all, when would an alligator really show up at dance class? But it did, and while the teacher and dancers were a bit scared that the alligator (called Tanya after a famous dancer) might become “bitey” (author’s word), they did welcome her. And they did their best to accommodate her needs, like creating a part in the coming recital. The mystery is that after that, she disappears, and where she went is what you will discover when you read the book. I liked the end, but wish there had been a bit more added within this end. Young dancers will like it, I suspect! All those tutus!

[Juliana Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Things get a little tense when an alligator joins ballet class. But once everyone is secure in the knowledge that she's not there to eat anyone, they work through other alligator-type problems. Soon they have their big recital and their alligator is the star performer. After the recital, the kids are disappointed to find that the alligator doesn't return to the studio. Then one day they receive an invitation to another ballet, one which has no human dancers.

[Kalynne]

Date: 11.04.24
Attendees: 72
Theme: Dance
Introduction and announcements: We Clap and Sing Hello

Book one: Giraffe’s Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae

Song/rhyme/game one: My Thumbs Are Starting to Wiggle

Book two: Dance is for Everyone by Andrea Zuill

Song/rhyme/game two: Silly Dance Contest by Jim Gill

Book three: Brontorina by James Howe

Song/ rhyme/ game three: List of Dances by Jim Gill

Activity: coloring sheets

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorite picture book authors, Andrea Zuill, is an illustrator as well in this book. Even the alligator in the book dances with the children and learns to solve the problem of tail bashing the other dancers. Fun story and the language between the kids and the alligator is fun because neither can understand each other.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really cute story about an alligator who ends up in a dance class of little girls but I felt the story ended too abruptly. I would've liked a couple more pages of conflict before the rather sudden and out-of-nowhere resolution.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun story about kids who let an alligator join their dance class. Entertaining with a cute lesson about inclusion, tolerance, and patience with those who are different. The great thing is - the story is so fun the kids won't even realize they're learning those lessons!

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightfully funny picture book story about an alligator who shows up in Mrs. Iraina's dance class. Mrs. Iraina lets her stay and learn, and the alligator, whom they nickname Tanya, ends up being really good!
Great for young dance fans and kids who like humorous stories.

[Sydney Dierig · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book is very cute, gives off the message of welcoming everybody and being inclusive along with never giving up on yourself and others and I enjoyed this. I think these messages are really good to pass along to young students. I really recommend this book.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love books by Zuill. She is a gifted artist and author. This was not my favortie book by her, but still very enjoyable art. It was more of a fun story but limited as to a lesson like her other books. Still a good book.

[Jacki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dance storytime!

[Laine · Rating 4 out of 5]

great style of illustration, especially on the alligator's face. a fun, simple message about inclusion and its benefits.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun story enjoyed the expressions on the characters faces and the problem-solving. Very cute.