Owls Can Dance
on Goodreads (9)
What’s inside...
Owls Can Dance tells the story of Erin the owl who aspires to dance but faces challenges along the way. Despite tripping and being laughed at by other animals, Erin remains determined. With the support of her friends -- raccoon, bunny, and beaver, Erin learns that with positive thinking and determination, she can achieve her dreams. This heartwarming story emphasizes the importance of kindness and perseverance.
Age
2-5
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think the owls learned when they discovered they could dance?
How did the other animals in the forest react to the owls dancing? Why do you think they reacted that way?
If you could teach the owls another dance, which one would it be and why?
How do you feel when you try something new, like the owls trying to dance?
Can you think of a time when you helped a friend discover a new talent?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the story by relating it to their own experiences. Ask them to imagine alternative scenarios or endings to stimulate their creative thinking. Reinforce the themes of friendship, teamwork, and trying new things by drawing parallels between the book and real-life situations they might encounter.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Embracing Diversity
Explanation: In 'Owls Can Dance,' different types of owls come together to participate in a dance competition. Each owl showcases unique dance moves that are celebrated by all.
Real-World Application: Children learn to appreciate the differences in others and understand the value of inclusivity. This can help them embrace diverse cultures and personalities in their schools and communities.
Example Lesson: Persistence Pays Off
Explanation: The protagonist owl faces challenges when learning new dance moves, but with perseverance, it succeeds and gains confidence.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to approach challenges with determination and not to fear failure, cultivating a mindset that effort leads to success in school projects or personal goals.
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Collaboration
Explanation: Throughout the book, owls team up to create group dance routines, showing how working together leads to a better performance.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of teamwork in achieving common goals whether in sports, classroom activities, or family tasks, illustrating that collaboration can be both fun and effective.
Example Lesson: Expressing Oneself
Explanation: Each owl in the story expresses individuality through dance, which boosts their self-esteem and helps them connect with others.
Real-World Application: It teaches children that expressing their thoughts and feelings is healthy and can lead to meaningful connections and self-discovery.
Example Lesson: Respect and Kindness
Explanation: The owls show great respect and kindness to one another, despite their competitive spirits, highlighting the importance of good sportsmanship.
Real-World Application: This serves as a model for children to treat others with respect and kindness, even in competitive situations such as during school sports or games.