Bear’s Perfect Dance
Rachel Tilda Wolf
Scallywag Press

Bear loves dancing so much that he spends all day practising his moves until they’re perfect. He touches his toes, works on this balance and even masters the splits. However, something bothers our ursine dancer; he’s always dancing solo and there are some dances that are better with two.

Bear decides to find himself the perfect dance partner. To that end he makes a checklist and several ‘wanted’ posters advertising auditions; the latter he puts up on trees all around the forest.

The following morning Bear wakes full of excitement. He dons his favourite tutu and best ballet shoes, then begins some warm up moves. Concerned in case nobody comes to audition, he opens the front door

to discover his garden is full of woodland creatures waiting to demonstrate their favourites moves.

Crow is first to audition – she won’t do as her Can-Can is chaotic. Beaver’s boogie lacks ‘Woogie”; Snake’s Shimmy is much too slithery; Fox’s Flamenco lacks fandango, Wild Pig’s waltz is much too awkward and Stag doesn’t move at all. All the other animals have got bored waiting and gone away leaving Bear thoroughly miserable. Back indoors he goes telling himself he’ll never find he perfect partner. Suddenly there comes a knocking at the door. Outside Bear discovers a child performing all manner of twists and twirls. Could this joyful dancer be the one?

With themes of connection and friendship, this charming tale is told and illustrated with gentle humour and a lot of warmth.