A whimsical tale of an unlikely hero in search of a sidekick—except Sadoni’s friend doesn’t believe she has superpowers. Will they ever team up?
Sadoni Squirrel: Superhero "delivers the messages of trusting one’s self, trusting others, asking for help when in need, and always offering help even to those who had once doubted us.” —Reedsy
Each Dance-It-Out! Creative Movement story is a kids’ dance performance for the imagination stage. Ballerina Konora joins the fun on each page.
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.
Once Upon a Dance was named a Top 10 Author by the Outstanding Creator Awards for three consecutive years (2022–2024). The books have earned over 60 book awards—including 14 first-place honors, more than 3,000 five-star reviews, a BEST IN SHOW, and a coveted Kirkus Reviews Starred Review.
Discover the collection at www.OnceUponADance.com or follow their journey on social media.
Sadoni Squirrel: Superhero is a charming and interactive children's book that combines an engaging story with creative movement. Once Upon a Dance have crafted an entertaining and educational experience that will captivate young readers, inspiring them to use their imaginations and explore the joy of movement.
Sadoni Squirrel is a children’s book that is sure to make a movement in nurseries and bedrooms around the world. Written with key learning elements in mind, the characters are stimulating, world-view consists of real-life experiences, and prose is easy to follow for young minds. This book will be a staple among parents and a favorite among children.
What's not to love about a spunky little squirrel who longs for his gift to be acknowledged? Enter Jameison the ho hum cat who finds himself in a pickle when his owner collapses. I loved the whimsical illustrations and storyline. Some readers might struggle with the amount of text, having said that, it lends itself for interactive reading. A parent or teacher reading and the children telling the story though movement. This authors style of book has dance photographs to help the reader/listener to mimic body shapes and movements. Perfect for the children who need interactivity and movement, or to get those pre bedtime jitters out. It's a sweet story that reinforces, we work best when we work together. ❤️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Sadoni Squirrel has a very special superpower, but not everyone believes her skills are real. Jamison the cat, one of Sadoni’s neighbors, is often nearby, but he is usually sleeping when danger summons Sadoni to use her superpower to assist others. Baby animals are beginning to explore the world more widely, and Sadoni bravely comes to the rescue to protect them from harm. It is not until Jamison’s owner requires assistance that Jamison finally sees for himself how helpful his friend can be, and he is left wondering what his life might be like if he were to decide to join her in her benevolent superhero quest.
This latest in the Dance it Out Creative Movement series by Once Upon a Dance is a delightful and entertaining story. Sadoni and Jamison spend much of the book speaking to one another, and a plethora of action verbs give the narrative forward momentum even before readers get on their own feet. Each page is subdivided vertically into thirds, presenting the illustration, the text of the story, and then a movement guide that includes both words and pictures. No matter how readers choose to engage with the story, they will be inspired to move their bodies and to explore superpowers of their own.
The illustrations in this story are fanciful, clearly displaying an emotional connection between Jamison and Sadoni. While the animals represent real creatures, they wear select articles of clothing and behave in ways that liken them to people. Visible pencil lines give texture to each image while pastel colors lend a softness to the story, and readers of all ages will appreciate the delightful overall presentation of the book.
Young children who love to express themselves through movement will enjoy all of the stories in this series. Designed to be read in myriad ways, readers can choose to explore the plot before getting into the actions or to attempt everything in tandem. Each of the installments in the Creative Movement series follows a similar structure and pattern, giving young readers the feeling of comfort and familiarity when opening any of them. This is a positive and encouraging addition to library collections for imaginative young children with a passion for movement and exploration.
I received a copy of this book from the author and I chose to leave this review.
"Sadoni Squirrel: Superhero" is a delightfully charming book by Once Upon a Dance. This whimsical tale captures the reader with its radiant illustrations and enchanting storytelling. The book, which is more than just a simple tale of an unlikely hero, is a Dance-It-Out! Creative Movement story, where each page inspires kids to engage their imaginations and embody the motions described in the narrative.
Our protagonist, Sadoni Squirrel, is an unlikely hero with a big heart and an even bigger sense of responsibility. However, her friend doubts her capabilities, leading to a quest to find a sidekick. What ensues is an engaging narrative that cleverly threads the needle of storytelling, dance, and character development, sparking a sense of wonder and engagement in young readers.
One unique aspect of this book is the recurring presence of Ballerina Konora. This character dances her way through the story, adding an additional layer of fun and interaction. This aspect can not only inspire young readers to partake in the movements themselves, but also help them develop an appreciation for dance.
"Sadoni Squirrel: Superhero" beautifully imparts crucial life lessons—such as self-trust, trust in others, the importance of asking for help when needed, and extending assistance even to those who doubted us. These themes are weaved seamlessly into the story, offering young readers an excellent means to understand and internalize these important messages.
The book’s charm lies in its ability to capture children's imagination while promoting physical activity. The author has done a tremendous job in crafting a narrative that keeps children engaged while subtly nudging them towards a more active and empathetic lifestyle.
The author, Once Upon a Dance, deserves praise for this masterfully crafted story that effortlessly combines dance, imagination, and valuable life lessons. The beautiful illustrations add to the allure, making "Sadoni Squirrel: Superhero" a visual delight.
Overall, "Sadoni Squirrel: Superhero" is more than a mere children’s book. It is a tool for parents and educators to stimulate creativity, physical activity, and emotional intelligence in young minds. It offers an enjoyable reading experience for kids while imparting vital life skills. Highly recommended for parents looking to add a fun yet educational book to their child’s reading list.
Sadoni Squirrel: Superhero has captivated my imagination and undoubtedly earns a resplendent five-star rating from me. This extraordinary masterwork, part of the Dance it Out Creative Movement series by Once Upon a Dance, has enchanted me with its dynamic storytelling and novel approach to fostering movement in children.
As I journeyed through the pages, I felt an immediate connection with Sadoni, a squirrel with a special superpower that she uses selflessly to protect her baby animal friends. I found myself eagerly turning each page, waiting to see how Sadoni's bravery unfolds and impacts those around her, especially the doubting cat, Jamison. The story left me with a warm feeling and a reminder of the magic within us all, waiting to be discovered and used for good.
The illustrations are so beautiful. They are not just pleasing to the eye, but they also infuse life into the characters. The animals, realistically portrayed yet showing human-like traits, connect with readers in a deeply relatable way. The pastel color palette and the texture given by visible pencil lines enriched the reading experience, making it even more immersive.
The beauty of this book lies in its versatile reading experience. Children can immerse themselves in the captivating plot before trying out the movements, or they can dive right in and let their bodies dance along with the story. As a reader, I relished this flexibility and could see how it would make the book a cherished pick for children who express themselves through movement.
In conclusion, Sadoni Squirrel: Superhero is a delightful fusion of adventure, learning, and movement that I cannot recommend enough. It's a sweet story, a dance guide, and a motivational tool; all bundled into one enchanting book. So if you have young ones who could use a bit of excitement and exercise in their reading routine, this book is a perfect choice!
THE WISHING SHELF BOOK AWARDS 5th January 2022 TITLE: Sadoni Squirrel: Superhero AUTHOR: Once Upon a Dance ILLUSTRATOR: Ethan Roffler Star Rating: 4
‘Two books for the price of one! A sweet story AND a book designed to encourage dance and stretching.’ The Wishing Shelf
REVIEW This is a very enjoyable story of a little squirrel who has an amazing superpower. And, being a superhero, his power is only for helping poor and defenceless animals, such as a baby bird falling from a nest and a baby rabbit being attacked by a hungry eagle. I won't tell you what the superpower is; you'll have to read the book to find out! I must say, I very much liked this animal adventure, and I think most 6 to 9 year olds will like it too. Not only that, they'll enjoy trying all the different movements that accompany the story. So, for example, when the squirrel lands on his paws and dusts himself off, with the help of a few illustrations, the reader can try to do it too. It's a very clever way of getting young readers to stretch and keep fit. In terms of the writing style, it's a little clunky here and there, and the speech between the animals needs work. But, as a method of introducing dance to young children, it's a very clever idea which I suspect will go down well in primary schools and with many parents. Let's face it, we live in a world where child obesity is a huge problem; so any book encouraging youngsters to get up and move about has got to be a good thing.
Sadoni Squirrel Superhero Thank you to Ballerina Konora and Once Upon a Dance for choosing me to read their book. I've always enjoyed Children’s fiction and from the opening, I was struck with Illustrator Ethan Roffler’s pages. From the first page I was drawn into the uniqueness of the story and I enjoyed the descriptive text, “her super-suit cape was rippling in the wind”. The dance movements brought even more to the uniqueness of the book, which encourages the young reader to dance with the story, and this makes this a lot of fun. Moreover, Mom and Dad can “dance” with their children, making this a benefit to both parents and the child. Not only does the story encourage exercise, but there was nurturing when Sadoni rescued the baby bird, “The switch-a-roo, to be the mamma bird flapping your arms while making a loud squawk.” This portion with Sadoni and Jamison, “Do you ever try to eat bunnies and baby birds…I'm well fed by my human”. Could this discussion fighten a younger child or is this an opportunity to discuss life? The combination of artwork and dancing appeals to me and i enjed the educational and physical education that is shared by by the reader and their children, so i would recommend Sadoni Sqirrel Superhero and I give this book a five stars.
Reading Sadoni Squirrel made me realise how long it has been since I've read a story and just enjoyed it so much. I was so lost in Sadoni's and Jamison's world that I was almost taken aback when the story ended. It was fun, engaging, and made me very happy. This book is also an activity book. The dance movements that accompany that story can be learnt and acted out by young children. It is the perfect way to get them moving while also keeping them entertained. I also think that this routine is something that children can learn and perform for their families and communities and it can be a great event for them. Of course, I cannot ignore the illustrations of the book. They are just so brilliant and they add so much to the story. The colours are vibrant and really make the story come alive. As someone who adores animals, I loved the entire concept and I particularly liked Jamison calling his owner "my human." This for me, really was the portrayal of the lovely bond shared between them. I will definitely be sharing this with my cousins too and hopefully will try out this dance routine with them.
Sadoni Squirrel: Superhero is a light and cheerful story about a cute squirrel with a superpower that her best friend doesn't believe her about. Each time Sadoni saves someone with her superpower, her friend misses it. However, her best friend's human needs help, will her best friend trust Sadoni's superpower? Or not?
Sadoni's story is perfect for little ones, and combined with the movements suggested by Ballerina Kanora, children and adults can bring the story to life with movement.
This story is vibrant in which there are multiple ways to enjoy the story. Snuggle down before bed and enjoy the rich illustrations while reading the story. During the day, get your wiggles out by acting out the story with well-designed and explained movements.
I went with five stars because, including the things I loved above, the story is easy to read out loud, the pacing and tone work really well for the reader. It is well-edited; nothing drug me away from the story.
We are looking forward to reading more books from Ballerina Kanora and her mom in Once Upon A Dance.
I've never come across a book quite like this before. It was a beautiful combination of cute children's story, which my son loved, lovely illustration pages which were bright and playful, and ballet instructor guide.
The story itself was adorable and is suitable for kids of all ages. It's simple, sweet and playful. The illustrations are also super sweet and really bring the story to life. The most unique aspect of this book though is the ballet instructions - easy to follow for children without any dance training or experience, yet diverse enough that those who have started classes can still enjoy it. When it's all pieced together, it makes for a truly engaging and interactive experience.
I can see this book being popular in young ballet classes as a cool down routine, in nurseries and classes as a relax/playtime half an hour, or even in school dance performances with a narrator telling the story. It could be put to good use in a number of ways and loved by all. I really love this.
I love stories that incorporate movement into the body of the text and to the human body. The illustrations are creatively done and the story is beyond adorable. I could see this being a popular for a story time are school or public library as Dallas for a youth beginner dance class for a fun and interactive learning tool. The story had action and drama along with active dance move photos to help teachers follow along with their students or have parents do it with their children. It could potentially be a good bedtime story if the child gets tired from all the dance moves. Knowing that there is a while collection available made me excited to share to my former colleagues and my friend who is a dance teacher for beginner youth.They will sure love Saxony and her determination to be a hero and the important Life lesson to never give up no matter who supports or first support you nor the difficulty of circumstances.
An inspiring book promoting fun movements. This book deserves 5 stars.
This is a read-out-loud fanciful story of Sadoni, a squirrel with superpowers whose friend, Jamison, the cat, does not believe she has special gifts. This does not deter the young squirrel from helping others in need and fighting off villains. With beautiful illustrations accompanied by dance moves from Ballerina Konora, the short book offers young readers easy movements to act out the plot in the story as well as awakening their imagination. I found "Sadoni Squirrel: Superhero: A Dance-It-Out Creative Movement Story for Young Movers" to be a cheerful and endearing text. It creatively explores themes such as responsibility and helping others in an easy way that young minds can easily grasp. This inspiring book should be a staple in kindergarten classes. It is a great starter for kids to spin and twirl!
Sadoni Squirrel Superhero has completely blown me away. I was immediately drawn into the world of Sadoni, a squirrel with a heart of gold and courage to match. The narrative is so engaging, it's impossible to put the book down. The illustrations are simply breathtaking, adding a whole new dimension to the story. Reading this book and dancing with pro ballerina Konora has become the highlight of my day.
It's not just a story, it's an adventure that sparks imagination and teaches valuable life lessons.