The Cat with the Crooked Tail: A Dance-It-Out Creative Movement Story for Young Movers

* Discover the Power of a Crooked Tail, and the Courage to Keep Dancing *

Does your child sometimes feel different or worry they can’t keep up?
Do you wish they could face challenges with more confidence, joy, and resilience?
Then The Cat with the Crooked Tail is the perfect storytime adventure for you and your little one.

Meet Miss Merida Brown, a sweet but timid farm cat who believes her quirky, crooked tail means she’ll never be like the other cats. But with her cheerful friend Ziggy and a whole lot of movement magic, Merida learns that her uniqueness might just be her greatest strength.

This isn't just a story, it's a dance-along journey that combines fun, imagination, and powerful life lessons.
Perfect for kids ages 5-7 who learn best when they move, laugh, and explore.

In this heartwarming creative movement book, your child will discover:
* 5 Confidence-Boosting Lessons — From self-acceptance to perseverance, every page empowers kids to be proud of who they are.
* Interactive Movement Prompts — Follow Ballerina Konora’s poses and dance through the story while developing balance, coordination, and self-expression.
* A Story That Celebrates Differences — Show your child how being “different” can be their superpower.
* Guided Activities — Designed by dance and childhood experts to help kids act out scenes and build body awareness. This series is perfect for classrooms, homeschool breaks, or living-room dance parties.
* Growth Through Practice — Just like Merida, your child will see that mistakes are part of learning, and courage means trying again.

Your child doesn’t need to be a dancer to fall in love with this book. They just need a heart open to trying, a space to wiggle, and a story that believes in them.

It's never too late—or too early—to embrace what makes you wonderfully you.
Buy now and help your child leap into confidence.

“...teaches children to step out of their comfort zone and try new things, be confident in themselves, and understand that practice makes perfect.”
—Reedsy

Movement, technique, and dance concepts in this story include: Leaping, Crawling, Balancing, Jumping, Tiptoes/Relevés, Attitude, Arabesque, Pointed Toes, Falling, Body Parts and Coordination, Movement Patterns and Sequences. Themes include Friendship, Empathy, Helping Each Other, Trying New Things, Overcoming Fear, Different Abilities, Disabled Friends, Meeting New People, Making New Friends, New Experiences, Being Kind, Helping and Encouraging Others, Persistence, Perseverance, and of course, Cats and Kitties.

About the Author
Once Upon a Dance is a mother-daughter team dedicated to inspiring joyful movement through stories. Teacher Terrel is a longtime dance educator recognized by her local City Council for “embodying the spirit of partnership and commitment” for her work with young dancers. Ballerina Konora, now a professional dancer, appears throughout the books as an encouraging role model.

Together, they’ve created an award-winning collection of 40 interactive children’s books that blend whimsical storytelling with movement, breath, and imagination. Their titles feature strong women, uplifting themes, and opportunities for young readers to leap into the adventure.

Once Upon a Dance has earned over 60 book awards, more than 3,000 five-star reviews, and honors including BEST IN SHOW, a Kirkus Reviews Starred Review, and Outstanding Creator Awards Top 10 Author.

Once Upon a Dance is a mother-daughter collaboration. Konora is an apprentice with Ballet Idaho and previously danced with Pacific Northwest Ballet's Professional Division. Growing up, she danced iconic roles such as Sugar Plum Fairy and Cinderella. Konora's mother taught creative movement and ballet for decades and was honored to be chosen and recognized by her local City Council (2014) for embodying the spirit of partnership and commitment to children in our community for her work with young dancers. She's breathed dance from every angle: child to pre-professional to adult ballet student, zoom student, dance teacher, dance mom, competition mom, ballet-school parent-guilder, audience member, recital planner, business owner, and board member. Dance-It-Out! Creative Movement Stories have won numerous awards in 2021 including PenCraft First Place, Mom's Choice Gold, Firebird First Place, and Royal Dragonfly First Place.