Shines like a sunlit anthem of self-expression and joy.
Surya has a hobby he’d rather keep secret: he likes to sing. He practices a lot, so much that his singing annoys his sister in the other room as she rehearses her dancing. And while Surya likes to sing, what he really loves is dance. Specifically, he adores Bharatanatyam, a beautiful Indian dance that tells a story through its expressive and intricate choreography. But what is dance to a boy? Everyone knows boys play sports. At least, that’s what he’s heard from his first-grade friends. Still, as his sister Deepa prepares for her upcoming recital, Surya dreams about Bharatanatyam, imagining himself in an ornate costume while performing the delicate movements. And when you love something as much as Surya loves to dance, the secret is sure to come out. In a humiliating display, Surya is swept up in the music and caught dancing along with his sister’s class. He expects to get laughed at and is certain he’s in big trouble, but when the instructor reassures him and then gently nudges him to keep dancing, the young boy is filled with relief. As long as he is brave enough to embrace his passion, he’ll be free to do the thing he loves more than anything else.
In a world where expectations weigh even on the youngest of hearts, Singing Surya Dreams to Dance shines like a sunlit anthem of self-expression and joy. Children might feel different from others because of their accents, how they look, what they pack in their school lunch, or their favorite cultural dance, so this gorgeous story will resonate with readers of all backgrounds. Lively illustrations capture the children’s deliberate, graceful movements while subtle background details draw audiences into Surya’s world. Paired with emotive artwork, words like skeptical, happy, jealous, and love are emphasized in bolder fonts and brighter colors to create a sensory experience so that the story is not simply read, it is felt. By incorporating culturally rooted terms, the author cleverly adds organic nods to Indian heritage in a way that sparks curiosity, engenders appreciation, fosters empathy, and encourages respectful learning, yet still feels playful and age-appropriate. A stirring example of fearlessness and loving who you are, Singing Surya Dreams to Dance reminds readers of all ages that the most beautiful dance of all is the one you love to perform.
