Parents' Guide to The Jellybeans and the Big Dance

Book Laura Numeroff , Nate Evans Picture Book 2008
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Common Sense Media Review

By Dawn Friedman , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 4+

Dance class is about teamwork in bestseller.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 4+?

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age 4+

Based on 1 parent review

 

 

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What's the Story?

Emily joins dance class with high hopes, but the other dancers aren't as glad to be there.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say ( 1 ):
Kids say : Not yet rated

A sweet tale that doesn't hit kids over the head with its positive lessons, this book about a frustrating dance class has encouraging things to say about working as a team. Four little girls with four very different ways of thinking manage to come together in time for their dance recital despite a difficult, falling-down start.

A little studied and more than a little adorable (with grown-up ideas about what kids find appealing -- animals in pants, anyone?), this could be a tough sell for kids who shy away from tutus. But the story is engaging enough that parents might be able to entice reluctant kids to stick it out -- especially once they find out that not all the girls are as enamored of tutus as the cover would have us believe.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about what might have happened if Emily had quit the class early on. How did her mother's encouragement make a difference? Have you ever cooperated with a friend or classmate who was very different from you? Is having people around who don't always agree with us a good thing?

Book Details

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