Daryl and the dancing dolls

Daryl and the dancing dolls 

Creative and inspiring once again Konora gets not only her characters moving in a unique way but refreshes our own dance movements in conjunction with the plot. 

Movement exploration is a journey with our main character to somewhere new and unknown as we meet Daryl our guide and truck driver who has been given the job of bringing dolls, train sets, balls, building blocks, and more on trucks packed and waiting until morning to begin its journey. Daryl is excited about her a new journey and can’t wait to get started. She meets many different creatures a long the way and of course, ten girl folks and two boy dolls, and you won’t believe what’s going to happen. Daryl’s days are uniform and not exciting g until she’s given this special truck and an unknown route and her adventure begin. 

Before the truck moves find some calm in the darkness and join in the quiet moments. The day begins and Daryl reflects on how each day is the same even her routine for breakfast. So check out the dance movements and mirror how she gets dressed, plops bread in the toaster and puts on her boots, and gets ready for her day in the road. Going on the road something odd and yet mystifying happens when 

the rear of the truck opens and something wild and extraordinary happens right before her eyes. 

Each doll had her own personality and the author describes them and how they move, walk and move their toes and fingers. Then practice the dance movements slowly turning your head in each direction as if you too are a full coming to life. Then each doll spills out of the back of the truck and they still could not be very agile but they landed upright with their feet falling forward and we were worried when the truck left and rumbled away. Try to imitate those movements along with the author. The illustrations bring the story to life and the ballet steps and movements help children become part of the story. The dolls were afraid trying to keep up with the truck. Looking at the side of the road they might be in trouble and each doll reacted differently. Then they introduced themselves and one asked what should we do now.

Check out the movements and how you answer the question.

Their solution is quite inventive and clever and all this time Daryl never realizes what happened until well you won’t believe what the dolls do and how they ban together. Pretend to be one of the sheep. What would you do? Wait until Daryl realizes what happened and addresses the doll dancers. What does she think? Imitate her reaction by following the movements. What do they say that startles Daryl and why? What happens when they are back in the truck? You won’t believe the wild solution and what the folks do. Act out what they did by following their movements on page 31. The ending is a surprise and the solution is not what you might expect as the dolls ask for something and want to learn something else but to find out more you have to read Daryl and the Dancing Dolls by Terrel and Konora. 

Innovative, creative, and definitely a story for everyone of any age, as the themes of friendship, learning, hope, understanding, and a super way of making choices for the dancers and a surprise person who might make their dreams come true. Let’s see that beautiful smile and follow your dreams with the dolls and Terrel the mother and daughter ballerina Konora. Let’s hope the authors brings them back again to see how they do and lets us know what happens to the rest of the toys on the truck.

Fran lewis just reviews