“A Celebration of Movement and Imagining!”: A Review of Frankie’s Wish by Once Upon a Dance

 

 (Once Upon a Dance 2022). ISBN: 978-1-955555-53-1

As a longtime creative dramatist and youth theatre specialist, I am always on the lookout for books like Frankie’s Wish, which has everything I could ask for—a celebration of imagination, interesting places to explore, adventures to physicalize, and new friends to meet—and best of all, it has the added element of a ballerina called Konora. Konora is featured at the bottom half of every right-hand page (the left-hand pages being devoted to illustrations), offering suggestions for how to physically interact with the story, whether it be a dance move, stretch, or transformation into a dinosaur or gorilla.

Frankie’s Wish is the brainchild of Once Upon a Dance. It is described on the copyright page as a “Dance-it-Out Creative Movement Story.” The illustrations are by Emilia Rumińska, and the story is based on one by Eva Stone. This particular book—the latest of 19 in the series—is perfect not only for creative dramatists, but for dance teachers in schools, studios, and after-school or summer programs.

The Frankie of the title is a young person who lives on an island with their Auntie Duke, who reminds me of a combination of Rachel Carson and one of my favorite aunts, Annette, who had no children of her own but fostered the imaginations of her seventeen nieces and nephews every chance she got.

Frankie is celebrating their birthday, and sets out on an adventure to find a magical feather on the eastern side of the island that will grant a single wish on one’s special day. After receiving some invaluable advice from Auntie Duke, Frankie sets out. Entering a forest, Frankie encounters puzzles, animals, and other experiences and decision points that encompass the mind, the body, and using your imagination. All along the way, Konora guides the reader into the position of Participant rather than Passive Reader.

Once Upon a Dance incorporates different versions of classic theatre games for youth. The whole book could be used for “A Day in the Life,” as it involves a full day of adventure and has opportunities for pantomime, such as going through a backpack and interacting with all of the items it contains. The writers do a great job of engaging all of the senses as well (one of my favorite instances being imagining the sensations of chewing “ooey-gooey” caramel).

One of the core messages—again recalling Rachel Carson—is to Wander in the Wonder! In an age where so many children are sitting inside in the dark, lit only by the blue light of their phone, tablet, and other digital screens, Frankie’s Wish is the perfect opportunity to reintroduce young people to nature.

As in all good children’s books, Frankie is empowered to make their own decisions, including a big one concerning their original birthday wish. What an excellent lesson in how experience and imagination can work together to change our perceptions, goals, and desires. Frankie returns home after their adventures with an expanded heart and mind after encountering the magical blue feather.

As they blow out their birthday candle on a delicious-looking cake, we can’t help but cheer for Frankie’s special day, which has now become our own.

I encourage parents, teachers, siblings, artists in residence (and favorite aunties!) to explore Frankie’s Wish with the young people in your life.

As if all of this imagination and movement goodness isn’t incentive enough, Once Upon a Dance donates all of the royalties from the book. So what are you waiting for? It’s time to Wander in the Wonder with Konora, Once Upon a Dance, and all of the children in your life. They’ll be very glad you did!