About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is feeling anxious about starting a new extracurricular activity or when their literal way of processing language leads to social friction. It is a perfect choice for children who think outside the box but occasionally feel 'out of step' with their peers. Through Amelia Bedelia's humorous misunderstandings of dance terminology, the story addresses the stress of being a beginner and the vulnerability of performing in front of others. While the plot focuses on Amelia Bedelia trying out various dance styles from ballet to hip-hop, the underlying emotional themes are self-confidence and the importance of finding one's own rhythm. This middle-grade chapter book is highly accessible for early readers, offering a gentle way to normalize the 'butterflies' that come with first days. It encourages parents and children to laugh together at the complexities of the English language while celebrating a protagonist who remains unapologetically herself even when she makes mistakes.
