Dance with Oti: The Bird Jive
#1 in Dance with Oti Series
on Goodreads (41)
What’s inside...
It’s time for Oti’s dance class! Join Oti in her dance studio and learn “The Bird Jive” in ten easy steps. There are lots of children in Oti’s dance class – and lots of feelings, too. Meet Fikile in her sparkly new shoes and Naira who is SUPER excited to get started! Gan is feeling a little worried about joining in whilst Martin can’t wait to show his parents what he can do! But in the middle of their dance routine, an unexpected visitor disrupts the class. Not to fear, Oti is here! Soon they are back on track, getting ready for the performance of their lives. Written by Strictly Come Dancing superstar Oti Mabuse, this debut picture book will dance into the hands of families who have loved watching Oti on-screen. It celebrates dance, movement and expressing your feelings – as well as teaching a short, simple 10-step dance routine.
Discussion points
What did you like most about the birds’ dance in the story?
How do you think the little bird felt when it learned the dance steps?
Why is teamwork important when learning something new like a dance?
If you could create a dance, what would it be like and why?
How do you think dancing together helped the birds in the story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Create a nurturing environment for discussion by showing enthusiasm about the story's themes. Share your own impressions about the bird's dance and ask your child how it made them feel. Encourage your child to express themselves by suggesting they demonstrate a dance move from the book or invent one of their own. Link the story to real-life situations by discussing times when they had to work together with others to learn something new. Highlight the fun and joy in dancing and how it can bring people—or birds—together.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Cooperation
Explanation: In 'Dance with Oti: The Bird Jive', children learn teamwork as characters collaborate to perform a dance. Each character's unique moves contribute to their collective success.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by participating in group activities at school or in sports, learning to cooperate and value each member's contribution.
Example Lesson: Appreciation of Diversity
Explanation: The book showcases birds of different types, each with distinctive dances. This serves as a metaphor for embracing diverse cultures and personalities.
Real-World Application: Kids can learn to appreciate and respect individual differences in their classrooms and communities, fostering a more inclusive environment.
Example Lesson: Practice and Perseverance
Explanation: As the characters practice their dance moves, the story highlights the importance of persistence and continuous effort to improve skills.
Real-World Application: This can encourage children to persist in learning new skills, whether academic, artistic, or physical, reinforcing the value of practice.
Example Lesson: Creativity and Self-Expression
Explanation: The book encourages creative expression through dance, showing that movement can be a powerful form of self-expression.
Real-World Application: Children are inspired to explore creative outlets like dance, art, or writing to express their feelings and ideas uniquely.
Example Lesson: Joy in Learning
Explanation: The joyful experience of the characters while dancing emphasizes learning as an enjoyable activity.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children approach educational activities with enthusiasm, seeing learning as a fun and engaging process.