We have a brand new Reading With Your Kids Certified Great Read!
BellyRina, A TuTu Tale From The Belly Of The Beast
Written Once Upon A Dance
Let’s Take A Look At The Book Blurb
Bunny leaps from the wolf’s belly with only one memory—she loves to dance.
But something, or someone, is STILL MISSING!
Bellyrina delivers Once Upon a Dance’s signature blend of heartwarming stories and playful humor wrapped in the mission of inspiring joyful movement.
Dance-Along Fun with Once Upon a Dance features
• Interactive movement prompts
• Sweet, silly, and uplifting
• Screen-free fun that encourages connection
• Movement motivation photos
• Lessons in empathy that extend to all creatures
• Positive characters that celebrate strong girls
Perfect for ages 4–8, Bellyrina features adorable animals, fairy magic, gentle drama, and plenty of sparkle. Whether shared in classrooms, studios, or at home, this Dancing Ever After series debut invites children to dance their own happily ever after.
From the creators of over 40 dance books comes a fresh twist on a classic tale, great for
• Bedtime stories to get the wiggles out
• Dance classes and creative movement activities
• Family reading time with built-in physical play
• Gifts for little dancers, animal lovers, and active kids
Bellyrina: A Tutu Tale from the Belly of the Beast Movement & Learning Benefits
Physical Skills Development
• Full-body movements: stretching, jumping, bunny hops, twirls, spins
• Coordination patterns: arm sweeps, windmill arms, lasso movements
• Balance & control: tiptoeing, reaching, controlled falls
• Partner activities: hand-holding twirls, cooperative movement
Social-Emotional Learning Through Story
• Core themes: courage, resilience, kindness, friendship, and identity
• Emotional intelligence: recognizing and expressing joy, suspicion, and wonder
• Mindfulness concepts: breath awareness and finding stillness
• Character development: persistence, teamwork, and appreciation
Creative Expression & Social Skills
• Imaginative movement: gulping, sneezing, shivering for story context
• Free dance exploration and personal expression
• Interactive play that builds confidence
Transform reading time into active fun with giggles and wiggles for everyone!
About The Authors
Discover a delightful way to introduce children to the world of dance. Once Upon a Dance combines whimsical stories with movement, breath, and connection to spark imagination and foster self-expression.
Their catalog (36 books across six series) offers positive role models, whimsy, humor, and diverse characters. Alongside movement and dance, books feature themes of empathy, friendship, the value of practice, self-acceptance, sibling relationships, anger management, and working toward goals.
Ballerina Konora is living her dreams as a full-fledged ballet Company Artist. Teacher Terrel arrived in Seattle after a Peace Corps stint teaching English and dance. Complementing decades of teaching dance, she worked in early childhood education and for non-profits supporting kids. Terrel was recognized by her local City Council for “embodying the spirit of partnership and commitment to children in our community” for her work with young dancers. She also serves on Pacific Northwest Ballet’s Board of Directors.
Here’s Our Review
A Joyful, Dance-Filled Delight!
Belly Rina: Tales From the Belly of the Beast is an absolute treasure from Once Upon a Dance. From the very first page, the story feels fun, whimsical, and wonderfully engaging. The illustrations are bright, expressive, and so delightfully designed that your eyes practically dance across the page as you read. Kids will be captivated—but grown-ups will be smiling just as much.
What truly sets this book apart is the brilliant use of dance-along movement cues woven into every page. Children (and parents!) can hop, twirl, swoop, and stretch right along with the characters, turning storytime into an imaginative, full-body adventure. These playful prompts not only add joy—they deepen connection, spark creativity, and encourage screen-free fun.
With its heartwarming message, gentle humor, magical animal characters, and empowering celebration of strong girls, Belly Rina is a standout read for families, classrooms, and studios. A wonderfully uplifting experience from start to finish!
