A wonderfully unique book that engages both mind and body.
Belluna’s Big Adventure in the Sky is a brilliant collaboration between the written word and physical expression. The vibrant story begins with the happy Noollab family. Right from the start, Once Upon a Dance highlights similarities between this lively family and any other ordinary family. They enjoy time together, getting outdoors and a variety of hobbies, but with one minor difference. A turn of the page reveals an unusual characteristic the Noollabs all possess. They have giant, hairless balloon-shaped heads! At first, their unexpected faces are a bit discomforting to look at. But the Noollabs take full advantage of their peculiar feature, even finding the lofty shape beneficial in many circumstances. A day of apple picking for the fun-loving family goes awry when the daughter, Belluna, is blown into the air by a huge gust of wind. Swept away, she is separated from her family and forced to deal with the dilemma on her own. At first dismayed by the unlikely turn of events, Belluna quickly adapts and even embraces the exhilarating situation. With an impressive amount of self-awareness, rugged determination and some focused conceptualization, she finds an extraordinary way home.
Belluna’s Big Adventure in the Sky: A Dance-It-Out Creative Movement Story for Young Movers by Once Upon a Dance is so much more than a simple book designed to entertain young readers. The imaginative story is complemented by illustrations and explanations for related guided movements featuring Ballerina Konora. This special feature invites children right into Belluna’s story as they are urged to become lanky giraffes, spinning wind turbines, moving cars, and participate in many other creative motions alongside the characters. The story is so genuine and earnest in delivering its message of inclusion that readers will be completely disarmed and totally charmed with the balloon-faced Noollab family by the end of the story as we all learn a gentle lesson on acceptance. If you’re looking for a wonderfully unique book that engages both mind and body, you’ll love Belluna’s Big Adventure in the Sky, an unforgettable story that families can enjoy together again and again.
