Description
A Dance to Remember’ takes children on a gripping and unique adventure as they travel back in time with protagonist Kaa’hina to meet her ancestors and embrace the customs of East Africa. Aside from its obvious cultural value, my new book also works diligently to help young readers believe in themselves and their abilities.’A Dance to Remember’is a unique book, fusing a narrative of rich East African heritage with stunning illustration by Sarah-Louise Hibbs. The result is a book that kids just won’t want to put down. It was the last day of rehearsals for tomorrow’s Festival of Dance in the park.Kaa’hina was practising her African dance routine for some unknown reason she kept getting her steps wrong. With all the reassurances from her Mother and her teacher, she was still feeling glum.That night Kaa’hina’s parents presented her with a special gift that Grandma Pea had left for her, which takes Kaa’hina on a mystical and magical journey. Where she meets her ancestors, and experiences a Dance to Remember. Will Kaah’ina find the confidence that she needs to perform at the Dance Festival tomorrow? “It’s very important for children to trust and believe in themselves, to foster a sense of perseverance that will allow them to triumph in all areas of life. My writing encourages this whilst also exposing children to a culture they likely don’t know much about. The development of cultural and tradition awareness is more important now than ever before. One school classroom can potentially contain kids from half a dozen different cultures and literature is a great vehicle for helping them broaden their horizons.”
