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The Driftwood Ball
Every year the badgers and the otters gather to dance at the Driftwood Ball. But the two groups never mix - they dance in completely different ways. That is, until otter Celia and badger George decide they want to do things differently... they want to dance together, in their own way. On the night of the ball, they show their friends and family what they've been secretly practising, and through their courage the two groups become friends, and the two star-crossed dancers win the Driftwood Cup.
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
About the author
Thomas Docherty
80 books13 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Thomas Docherty was born in New Zealand but has spent most of his life in England. He studied metalwork and sculpture and now has a collection of acclaimed picture books. Thomas has been short-listed for a variety of awards, including the Kate Greenaway Medal in 2009 for Little Boat.
Thomas Docherty was born in New Zealand but has spent most of his life in England. He studied metalwork and sculpture and now has a collection of acclaimed picture books. Thomas has been short-listed for a variety of awards, including the Kate Greenaway Medal in 2009 for Little Boat.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 30, 2015
I absolutely loved this book it made me smile so much.
November 14, 2017
We absolutely loved this book, it's such a happy story and brings a smile to your face instantly!
The story features Otters and Badgers who both love to dance but don't really like each other until George the badger and Celia the otter meet and realise there is so much more to dance than their traditional routines. They join the annual driftwood ball and dance all the animal prejudices away!
We really enjoyed the illustrations which seem so delicate but really stand out on the pages so vibrantly. The main theme of embracing each other for who we are and all of our differences is told in such a lovely way and the language flows as softly as dancing - a definite recommendation!
The story features Otters and Badgers who both love to dance but don't really like each other until George the badger and Celia the otter meet and realise there is so much more to dance than their traditional routines. They join the annual driftwood ball and dance all the animal prejudices away!
We really enjoyed the illustrations which seem so delicate but really stand out on the pages so vibrantly. The main theme of embracing each other for who we are and all of our differences is told in such a lovely way and the language flows as softly as dancing - a definite recommendation!
February 14, 2018
A lovely story about two animals, an otter and a badger, who defy tradition in order to dance together. This book can be used when addressing differences from what our families can expect. Additionally, can be a topic hook for dance in PE or an individual lesson can use the various dance moves in this book.
November 7, 2018
Think I found my new favourite author here!
January 17, 2019
Charming
January 22, 2015
In addition to collaborating with his wife and fellow author Helen (See our profile on them from our Picture Book Month 2013 author/illustrator spotlight), author-illustrator Thomas Docherty brings us his most recent solo outing about family feuds, high stakes dance offs, and true love, what more can a lit. rat need?
On one side you’ve got badgers, who are prim, proper and composed, in dance terms they’re like a waltz. Form and technique are everything!
The otters by contrast are cool, casual, and thrive on improvisation, in dance they represent freestyle, with some hip-hop thrown in here and there. Whatever’s fun and flowing!
The Badgers find the otters crude and their dancing unrefined.
The otters think badgers are snobbish, wound too tight, and their dance moves stiff and soulless.
The only thing both species agree on is their love of dancing, but while “The Driftwood Ball” brings the two species together, competition and rivalry keep them apart in every way.
Until Celia (an otter) and George (a badger) meet in secret and have different ideas…
George likes how free and soulful the otters move, and Celia’s enchanted by the composed technique of the badgers dancing, and the two soon learn to dance a little bit like the other, until they create a dance style all their own, and fall in love…
When titular dance-off “The Driftwood Ball” begins, the feuding species are stunned to find Celia and George dancing together, a first for this bitter rivalry charged event, and from there a new normal takes hold that I won’t spoil here…
What I love most about Thomas Docherty is how he tailors his illustration style for each of his books, be they his own, or when visualizing another author’s work.
While there some slight nods to the style used in “The Snatchabook” his previous book (written by his wife, Helen) this book is about movement and a more tropical color palette, versus the Seuss-inspired two-tone impressionistic tone taken in the verse-driven tale.
A nice acquaintance from the U.K. gifted me a copy, but I hope it won't stay a U.K./Europe exclusive for long!
Reversion of the original review at TalkingAnimalAddicts.com
On one side you’ve got badgers, who are prim, proper and composed, in dance terms they’re like a waltz. Form and technique are everything!
The otters by contrast are cool, casual, and thrive on improvisation, in dance they represent freestyle, with some hip-hop thrown in here and there. Whatever’s fun and flowing!
The Badgers find the otters crude and their dancing unrefined.
The otters think badgers are snobbish, wound too tight, and their dance moves stiff and soulless.
The only thing both species agree on is their love of dancing, but while “The Driftwood Ball” brings the two species together, competition and rivalry keep them apart in every way.
Until Celia (an otter) and George (a badger) meet in secret and have different ideas…
George likes how free and soulful the otters move, and Celia’s enchanted by the composed technique of the badgers dancing, and the two soon learn to dance a little bit like the other, until they create a dance style all their own, and fall in love…
When titular dance-off “The Driftwood Ball” begins, the feuding species are stunned to find Celia and George dancing together, a first for this bitter rivalry charged event, and from there a new normal takes hold that I won’t spoil here…
What I love most about Thomas Docherty is how he tailors his illustration style for each of his books, be they his own, or when visualizing another author’s work.
While there some slight nods to the style used in “The Snatchabook” his previous book (written by his wife, Helen) this book is about movement and a more tropical color palette, versus the Seuss-inspired two-tone impressionistic tone taken in the verse-driven tale.
A nice acquaintance from the U.K. gifted me a copy, but I hope it won't stay a U.K./Europe exclusive for long!
Reversion of the original review at TalkingAnimalAddicts.com
November 30, 2015
This book is about two rivaling animals, badgers and otters, who live very close to each other but are not keen on getting to know one another. The story takes a turn when the two main characters, Celia (Otter) and George (Badger) meet and notice they like characteristics of the opposing animals and don't want to be part of the segregation. A massive annual ball happens and George and Celia end up dancing together, much to the shock of the other animals. This appears to spur the other animals into accepting each other and their differences and forming friendships.
I really enjoyed this book and the story line involved.I felt it conveyed a very strong message about everyone having individual traits which we need to accept and appreciate. I feel this could be a very good stimulus for a PSHE lesson focusing on accepting others regardless of their differences within upper KS1. I think this would provide a comfortable context for this topic.
I think as a picture book it has been constructed very cleverly. For example when the main characters speak, their words are in speech bubble, whereas other characters are just on the page with no border. I think this is used to signify that the main characters are outside of the conforming environment which is happening around them. Also throughout the book main characters are constantly emphasized through being placed as the main focal point slightly away from other characters. I feel this further emphasizes the feeling of these characters removing themselves from the conforming environment.
Overall I thought this was a great book and can see opportunities for cross curricular learning.
I really enjoyed this book and the story line involved.I felt it conveyed a very strong message about everyone having individual traits which we need to accept and appreciate. I feel this could be a very good stimulus for a PSHE lesson focusing on accepting others regardless of their differences within upper KS1. I think this would provide a comfortable context for this topic.
I think as a picture book it has been constructed very cleverly. For example when the main characters speak, their words are in speech bubble, whereas other characters are just on the page with no border. I think this is used to signify that the main characters are outside of the conforming environment which is happening around them. Also throughout the book main characters are constantly emphasized through being placed as the main focal point slightly away from other characters. I feel this further emphasizes the feeling of these characters removing themselves from the conforming environment.
Overall I thought this was a great book and can see opportunities for cross curricular learning.
November 15, 2014
What a 'particularly' gorgeous picture book. The story structure with carefully chosen words that are repeated and action sounding, make the book interactive when reading with a child. The theme of embracing each other's differences is universal and is beautifully illustrated here in the art of dancing. Having badgers and otters as the main protagonists is brilliant and cute. The illustrations are delightful, especially in showing the movement and freedom of dance. The use of speech bubbles to add to the main story text creates an extra layer of performance. A truly remarkable picture book - one that should be shared and shared!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews