Kids Book Buzz
“I liked the illustrations and how, as she explores the bedroom, the animals she saw were not real animals, just toys or a backpack, but when she talks to them, they are real … I would recommend this book to little kids who love ballerinas or like to do ballet.”
Educating Young Children
“A delightful book … with beautiful illustrations and lots of opportunities for discussions” – Click here to view.
School Library Journal
“Jones’s illustrations, which feature soft lines and vibrant colors, successfully convey the graceful movements of the ballerina. Most striking is when the toy animals morph into their real-life counterparts, resulting in life-like, detailed depictions.”
Peninsula Kids
Reviewed for their Christmas special ‘things we love” – Click here to view.
School’s Out
“This book is about a ballerina who wants to make new friends, because a big girls does not want to play with her… I like her dress because it is purple/ I like twirling and whirling”
Foreword Reviews
“Lovely and nostalgic, the ballerina’s story continues even after the lid on the box is closed.”
Reading Time
“I think many little girls will be excited by the idea of the ballerina in the music box coming to life. When she is abandoned by her owner, she dances out of her box and goes looking for someone to dance with”
The Picturebook Shelf
“The gentle narrative, enchanting whimsical illustrations of golden lines of music, leaping tiny ballerinas in search of running deer for partners, contrasting with softly blurred pine trees, all combine to create a warm, rich, inviting fantasy that transcends years and promises eternal youth.”
NC Teacher Stuff
“I know that giving human traits to nonhuman objects can produce powerful emotions … Dance with Me pulls on those same heartstrings.”
The Bottom Shelf
“A great opportunity to talk about memories with our children as well as what they love enough to want to keep for their children, creating bonds across generations.”
Kids’ Book Review
“Dance With Me: a gentle, heartfelt tale of childhood treasures, the sadness of their loss and the joy of history repeating itself.”
Parents in Touch
“A heartwarming story about treasured possessions and the memories they hold”
The Mummy Project
“I loved reading this book with my daughter and discussing childhood keepsakes and what she would pass on to her children …”
Aussie Reviews
“Dance with Me is a delightful, slightly sad, story of growing up, and the toys that are left behind. Happily, in this story, the dancer survives until the next generation of owner falls in love with her. The illustrations, by Gwynneth Jones, use watercolour and outlines with soft pastel colours for the ballerina and her world, and bolder colours when she ventures out into the world looking for a dance partner. Likely to appeal to young dancers, especially those with a fondness for music boxes..”
Boomerang Books Blog
“I can’t help but hear Frank Mill’s, Music Box Dancer in my head when I read about the beautiful pink clad ballerina who ‘lived in a small, wooden box.”
“They loved the story and were happy that the ballerina got to dance again. They thought the pictures were great and loved the, bee and leopard. Some of the girls loved it because they have the same box.”
