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Mira Monkey’s Magic Mirror Adventure
Each Dance-It-Out! story is an independent kids’ dance performance ready for the imagination stage. In this volume, Mira the monkey enjoys carnival day until crazy things start happening. Could fairies be causing the mischief? Will Mira make it home? Will she ever be the same?
Ballerina Konora appears on each page encouraging kids to act and dance the story along with Mira. Mira Monkey’s Magic Mirror Adventure is book one of three in the Mira Monkey Trilogy (books two and three expected late 2021) and the seventh Dance-It-Out series release.
Ballerina Konora appears on each page encouraging kids to act and dance the story along with Mira. Mira Monkey’s Magic Mirror Adventure is book one of three in the Mira Monkey Trilogy (books two and three expected late 2021) and the seventh Dance-It-Out series release.
40 pages, Paperback
Published September 14, 2021
About the author
Once Upon a Dance
52 books121 followersTerrel is a dance educator and storyteller who believes in the transformative power of movement. Through her passion project, Once Upon a Dance, she’s published 42 interactive children’s books that weave whimsical stories with joyful movement.
With her daughter—a former Pacific Northwest Ballet Professional Division student—as the featured ballerina, Terrel brings movement into storytime, encouraging creativity, confidence, and self-expression in young readers.
Each book invites kids to stretch, twirl, leap, and imagine alongside positive characters—from dancing cats to ballerina zombies. Whether reading with a caregiver or moving along in the classroom, children are gently guided to explore feelings, movement, and connection through play.
Once Upon a Dance was named a Top 10 Author by the Outstanding Creator Awards for three consecutive years (2022–2024). The books have earned over 60 book awards—including 14 first-place honors, more than 3,000 five-star reviews, a BEST IN SHOW, and a coveted Kirkus Reviews Starred Review.
Discover the collection at www.OnceUponADance.com or follow their journey on social media.
With her daughter—a former Pacific Northwest Ballet Professional Division student—as the featured ballerina, Terrel brings movement into storytime, encouraging creativity, confidence, and self-expression in young readers.
Each book invites kids to stretch, twirl, leap, and imagine alongside positive characters—from dancing cats to ballerina zombies. Whether reading with a caregiver or moving along in the classroom, children are gently guided to explore feelings, movement, and connection through play.
Once Upon a Dance was named a Top 10 Author by the Outstanding Creator Awards for three consecutive years (2022–2024). The books have earned over 60 book awards—including 14 first-place honors, more than 3,000 five-star reviews, a BEST IN SHOW, and a coveted Kirkus Reviews Starred Review.
Discover the collection at www.OnceUponADance.com or follow their journey on social media.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 10, 2021
Today is carnival day, and Mira Monkey is ready to play. Emerging from her jungle home, she first relishes the feeling of the sand between her toes, wiggling and turning them to get the full effect. Then, she plays games, paints, and eats delicious food while enjoying the warm sunshine. Later in the day, Mira finds a mirror on the ground, and when she looks into it, Mira is suddenly and inexplicably transformed into a bug. Frantically struggling to turn back into her true self, Mira experiences several frightening moments before an unexpected turn of events helps set things right once more.
This latest in the Dance It Out series by Once Upon a Dance incorporates imagination and whimsy into an unusual and playful story. Though the primary plot focuses on Mira Monkey, nearly every picture includes cheeky fairies posing and dancing nearby. The text briefly introduces the fairies and the antics they might be involved with, but they are more of a physical presence than a textual one. Colored pencil-style illustrations fill the left side of each spread, utilizing shading and color to give nearly tangible texture to Mira’s world.
On the right side of each spread, readers will find both the narrative and movement suggestions in vertical columns, breaking from the pattern of previous stories in this series. The narrative is direct and easy to connect with, and questions for the reader appear throughout the book, encouraging them to consider the story and the movements it inspires more carefully. Accessible to a wide range of ages, readers will appreciate the clever and unexpected storytelling as they naturally engage with the book on a variety of levels.
Fans of the Once Upon a Dance canon will love this newest addition as they consider what might have really happened to Mira Monkey on carnival day. Though Mira is the only monkey in the story and the carnival is not pictured in its entirety, the images and text work well together to depict this playful story. A letter from Ballerina Konora is included at the beginning, inviting all readers to participate at whatever level is most comfortable for them. This inclusive and engaging tale is a great fit for imaginative children who like to move.
I received a copy of this book from Reedsy and I chose to leave this review.
This latest in the Dance It Out series by Once Upon a Dance incorporates imagination and whimsy into an unusual and playful story. Though the primary plot focuses on Mira Monkey, nearly every picture includes cheeky fairies posing and dancing nearby. The text briefly introduces the fairies and the antics they might be involved with, but they are more of a physical presence than a textual one. Colored pencil-style illustrations fill the left side of each spread, utilizing shading and color to give nearly tangible texture to Mira’s world.
On the right side of each spread, readers will find both the narrative and movement suggestions in vertical columns, breaking from the pattern of previous stories in this series. The narrative is direct and easy to connect with, and questions for the reader appear throughout the book, encouraging them to consider the story and the movements it inspires more carefully. Accessible to a wide range of ages, readers will appreciate the clever and unexpected storytelling as they naturally engage with the book on a variety of levels.
Fans of the Once Upon a Dance canon will love this newest addition as they consider what might have really happened to Mira Monkey on carnival day. Though Mira is the only monkey in the story and the carnival is not pictured in its entirety, the images and text work well together to depict this playful story. A letter from Ballerina Konora is included at the beginning, inviting all readers to participate at whatever level is most comfortable for them. This inclusive and engaging tale is a great fit for imaginative children who like to move.
I received a copy of this book from Reedsy and I chose to leave this review.
September 19, 2021
Mira Monkey's Magic Mirror Adventure is a children's story book illustrated by Olha Tkachenko and it's a story by Once Upon a Dance.
The story features Mira Monkey who had been looking forward for the carnival day for weeks. But there had been rumors of fairies causing mischief. At the beach, Mira tried her hands at different activities. Kids will be happy to read about the magic mirror in the story. The main thing that I loved the most about the story is the way it encourages the readers to move and dance in a fun way along with Mira. Give a quick read to this wonderful story to know more about Mira's adventure with the magic mirror.
The illustrations are pretty and will catch kid's attention right away. This book will be a great addition to the children's bookshelf. The author has very well written this book. I am definitely interested in reading more books by the author. If your child loves adventures then pick this book for your little one.
The story features Mira Monkey who had been looking forward for the carnival day for weeks. But there had been rumors of fairies causing mischief. At the beach, Mira tried her hands at different activities. Kids will be happy to read about the magic mirror in the story. The main thing that I loved the most about the story is the way it encourages the readers to move and dance in a fun way along with Mira. Give a quick read to this wonderful story to know more about Mira's adventure with the magic mirror.
The illustrations are pretty and will catch kid's attention right away. This book will be a great addition to the children's bookshelf. The author has very well written this book. I am definitely interested in reading more books by the author. If your child loves adventures then pick this book for your little one.
September 4, 2021
Mira Monkey’s Magic Mirror Adventure is one of the best children’s books I’ve ever seen. It is truly innovative by combining a well-written story with kinesthetic dance moves to get kids active. Studies show that kids benefit from movement in their learning and this book embodies that knowledge so nicely. Impeccable writing creates a wonderful story that I enjoyed just as much as my daughter did. It’s the perfect bedtime story to get all the wiggles out before settling down. Parents can dance and shimmy right along with their child and Mira Monkey as they build stronger family connections and facilitate excellent reading skills and fluency.
The illustrations are one of the most special parts of this book. They are absolutely stunning! Bright, bold colors and sweet faces will draw you and your kids in as you fall in love with Mira Monkey. This gorgeous book will easily become a new family favorite!
The illustrations are one of the most special parts of this book. They are absolutely stunning! Bright, bold colors and sweet faces will draw you and your kids in as you fall in love with Mira Monkey. This gorgeous book will easily become a new family favorite!
February 28, 2022
A monkey is enjoy life until strange things starts to happen. They will need to find out what or who is causing the trouble as well as getting back home. A great book for young dancers
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews