Eka and the Elephants

by Once Upon a Dance

Blackberry Book Tours

March 07-10

Chapter book, 33 pages.

Once Upon a Dance donates all proceeds to charity.

"Konora glides across the pages, inviting youngsters to tiptoe, leap, roll, squat, jump among others physical activities through her ballet positions. ... Cristian Gheorghita’s playful, animated illustrations enchant readers, immersing them in the authors’ vivid imagination." —The Prairies Book Review

Outstanding Creator Award First Place Winner
Purple Dragonfly First Place Winner

Each Dance-It-Out! story brings movement, joy, breath, connection, and imagination. Ballerina Konora inspires with dance photos and suggestions. In this story, Eka’s family creates a garden, but Eka worries animals may destroy all their hard work. When playful elephants visit, will Eka's calm quick thinking and problem solving save the vegetables and flowers?

Three books in one: readers can enjoy the story, act it out in their own way, or try Konora’s suggested activities, designed by an award-winning ballet teacher to develop body awareness and practice dance fundamentals

The Dance-It-Out! collection spans books ideal for kids 3-9, and Eka and the Elephants makes a great series introduction for children 4+. Eka and the Elephants features Eka (no pronouns), Eka’s brother and sister, Koda and Kanoni, and Eka’s parents, along with elephants, bunnies, and bees.

Movement Concepts and Dance Technique in this story:

• Sideways Leap

• Tiptoes

• Forward Stretch

• Jumping

• Squatting

• Relevé

• Bow

• Balance

• Body Part Isolation (Fingers, Thumb, Shoulders, Hips, Nose, Lips, etc.)

• Fine Motor Skills (Pinching, Twisting, Wriggling Fingers, Flat, Clasped, etc.)

• Closed/Expanded Shapes

• Falling

• Rolling

• Stillness/Muscle Deactivation

• Breath In/Out

• Counted Movements

• Quality of Movement (Heavy/Light, Slow/Fast, Jerky/Gently)

• Moving with Emotion (Surprise, Excitement, Fear, Interest, etc.)

• Importance of Healthy Eating and Sleep

Main elements and themes include Elephants, Rabbits, Animal Rescue/Sanctuaries, Bees, Family, Gardening, Pea Plants, Carrots, Sunflowers, Dreams, and Healthy Eating.

This movement journey is ideal for dance, creative movement, physical education, homeschool, preschool, kindergarten, or first-grade activities. The full Dance-It-Out! collection features male, female, ungendered, and nonbinary diverse characters. Dance-it-Out! books make a great gift for boys or girls interested in dance, ballet, gymnastics, or yoga, or reluctant readers who enjoy getting up and being active.

My Review

Eka and the Elephants is a cute children's book about a child named Eka who, along with their siblings and parents, plants a vegetable garden and is eager to see it grow. Things seem to be going well, until footprints are discovered. What animal could have made those prints in the garden? Eka believes it to be an elephant, based on what their brother says, and soon, the garden is being invaded and trampled by many elephants. What can Eka do?

This is a fun, interactive story that offers young readers multiple ways to act it out and bring it to life. The story is also a bit silly, so children will enjoy reading it again and again. The illustrations are bright and colorful, and the story is easy to read.

Another hit from Once Upon a Dance! 5 stars!

About the authors

Once Upon a Dance is an award-winning mother-daughter collaboration.

Ballerina Konora climbed the ballet ladder to pro, and she's thrilled to be living her dreams dancing with Ballet Idaho. Along the way, she danced iconic roles such as Sugar Plum Fairy and Cinderella.

Teacher Terrel taught dance for decades and was honored by her City Council for "embodying the spirit of partnership and commitment to children in our community" for her work with young dancers. She's breathed ballet from every angle and worked in early childhood education, for non-profits supporting kids, and as a university English teacher as a Peace Corps volunteer.

Once Upon a Dance 2021/2022 Awards: Mom’s Choice Gold Award, Family Choice Award, Royal Dragonfly First Place, PenCraft Award First Place, Firebird First Place, Pinnacle: Best Book Juvenile Fiction, Independent Press Award Winner, International Impact Book Award Winner, Outstanding Creator Awards Winner, Readers Favorite Certified Great Read, Indie’s Today 5-Star Recommended, The Wishing Shelf 5-Star, Literary Titan 5-Star Award.