Official Review: Spiders Dance by M Carroll

Please use this sub-forum to discuss both middle-grade and younger children's books, including picture books, easy readers, and children's chapter books. Topics for books aimed at children 12 and under go in this forum.
Forum rules
Authors and publishers are not able to post replies in the review topics.
Post Reply
User avatar
MsTri
Previous Member of the Month
Posts: 1948
Joined: 02 Jul 2017, 12:56
Favorite Author: Miranda Ann Markley
Favorite Book: The Spirit Seeds Book 1
Currently Reading: the Secret of Safe Passage
Bookshelf Size: 1030
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-mstri.html
Latest Review: Suddenly Free, Vol. 1 by Yvette Carmon Davis
Reading Device: B07HZHJGY7
fav_author_id: 225682

Official Review: Spiders Dance by M Carroll

Post by MsTri »

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Spiders Dance" by M Carroll.]
Book Cover
3 out of 4 stars
Share This Review


As a human with two left feet, I was intrigued by the story, Spiders Dance. In this short tale by M. Carroll, Spider wants to be a dancer, but he doesn't know how to dance! His brothers are no help, only telling him that he “will have to find rhythm and balance.” Not knowing how to find it, Spider starts off on his quest, hoping to find someone who can teach him how to dance.

I felt really bad for Spider, as I too have suffered from the inability to dance. Even though one can be taught specific dance steps, having rhythm comes naturally and really isn't something that can be taught. In his journey, Spider meets a number of animals, and they all try to teach him how to dance, but they ultimately fail. Is there anyone who can teach Spider to dance, or is he doomed to stand by the sidelines while everyone else has fun? You'll have to read this tale to find out.

While I'm no fan of spiders, I still enjoyed this tale. It was great fun seeing Spider visit all the other animals and attempt to dance in the same ways that they could. Aside from certain children's movies, I'd never considered animals dancing before. The story itself follows the basic 'introduction, problem, resolution' format and is very easy to follow. The book also repeats certain aspects of the story, so the young reader somewhat knows what to expect each time Spider visits a different animal.

The illustrations in Spiders Dance aren't quite as cartoonish as in some books for young people, but they're still very nice. Not liking arachnids, I maybe would have preferred a less realistic spider, but that's my own personal bias. The scenery was very well done, though, and I actually felt like I was in the jungle with Spider and the other creatures. In addition to the colorful pictures that cover most of the pages, there are a few black-and-white drawings of children. These pictures are accompanied by a call to action on the reader's part and are a nice change of pace. The font used is also attractive and easy to read.

I don't think there were really any lessons to be learned in this book, and that's okay; sometimes it's nice for children to read purely for enjoyment and entertainment.

There is an issue with punctuation, mostly errors with comma usage. I would strongly urge the author to give the story another editing pass, as it's essential that children read error-free books.

Due to the number of repeated errors in punctuation, I cannot give Spiders Dance 4 stars. I will instead give this tale a resounding 3 out of 4 stars. I also recommend this book for preschool to early elementary-level readers, as well as any reader who has two left feet and would like to commiserate with a little fuzzy creature who has eight left feet.

******
Spiders Dance
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

Like MsTri's review? Post a comment saying so!
User avatar
bookowlie
Special Discussion Leader
Posts: 9071
Joined: 25 Oct 2014, 09:52
Favorite Book: The Lost Continent
Currently Reading: The Night She Went Missing
Bookshelf Size: 442
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-bookowlie.html
Latest Review: To Paint A Murder by E. J. Gandolfo

Post by bookowlie »

Great review! I had to laugh when you said you would prefer a less realistic-looking spider. I don't care for insects either, so I like them to look cute in children's books - basically, I want them to look less like insects. It's too bad about the errors.
"The best way out is always through" - Robert Frost
User avatar
kandscreeley
Special Discussion Leader
Posts: 11683
Joined: 31 Dec 2016, 20:31
Currently Reading: Believarexic
Bookshelf Size: 486
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-kandscreeley.html
Latest Review: The Elf Revelation by Jordan David

Post by kandscreeley »

I think I agree with you and bookowlie. I'd want a very cute looking spider. The less realistic the better. Still, it seems like a really cute story. I don't think I've heard of a spider looking for someone to teach him to dance! Thanks.
A book is a dream you hold in your hands.
—Neil Gaiman
User avatar
shelidizel
Posts: 46
Joined: 12 Nov 2017, 15:27
Currently Reading: Mark of the Remaker
Bookshelf Size: 12
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-shelidizel.html
Latest Review: "Twisted Threads" by Kaylin McFarren

Post by shelidizel »

Awesome review. I know someone who would like this
Latest Review: "Twisted Threads" by Kaylin McFarren
User avatar
Hildah Mose
Posts: 120
Joined: 11 Nov 2017, 22:06
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 10
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-hildah-mose.html
Latest Review: And Then I Met Margaret by Rob White

Post by Hildah Mose »

Wow! Such a great review. That's the kind of story I'd love to read to my kid. Hope he'll get to correct the spelling mistakes and typos.
User avatar
Manang Muyang
Previous Member of the Month
Posts: 11160
Joined: 02 May 2017, 20:17
Favorite Book:
Currently Reading: Donny and Mary Grace's California Adventures
Bookshelf Size: 685
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-manang-muyang.html
Latest Review: Your Great Name by Shawn Funk
Reading Device: B00KC6I06S

Post by Manang Muyang »

You really tickled me with this review, MsTri! You are getting to be one of my favorite reviewers for children's books! "Eight left feet!" will always make me feel good. LOL!
User avatar
Vickie Noel
In It Together VIP
Posts: 2448
Joined: 30 Jun 2017, 04:46
Favorite Book: <a href="http://forums.onlinebookclub.org/shelve ... 86063">Are you afraid of the dark</a>
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 868
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-vickie-noel.html
Latest Review: Modern Day Cowboy by Nathaniel Sheft
Reading Device: B01C9JZEBO

Post by Vickie Noel »

Miriam Molina wrote: 18 Dec 2017, 18:18 You really tickled me with this review, MsTri! You are getting to be one of my favorite reviewers for children's books! "Eight left feet!" will always make me feel good. LOL!
I was going to say the same thing, Miriam! Eight left feet? Spider sure is in for a big challenge! Thanks for the sweet review, MsTri!
Stop waiting for what you WANT, start working with what you HAVE. --- Seth Cain
Never be bullied into questioning your own credibility. --- Vickie Noel
User avatar
Sahani Nimandra
Posts: 2045
Joined: 27 Nov 2017, 22:49
Favorite Book: Harry Potter and The Sorceress Stone
Currently Reading: Man of the World
Bookshelf Size: 698
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-sahani-nimandra.html
Latest Review: I once had a Farm in Ireland by Siggy Buckley
Reading Device: Huawei

Post by Sahani Nimandra »

Sounds kinda cute story where you can enjoy a certain laughter inside you!
Good book!
The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid! - Jane Austen :techie-studyingbrown:
User avatar
MsTri
Previous Member of the Month
Posts: 1948
Joined: 02 Jul 2017, 12:56
Favorite Author: Miranda Ann Markley
Favorite Book: The Spirit Seeds Book 1
Currently Reading: the Secret of Safe Passage
Bookshelf Size: 1030
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-mstri.html
Latest Review: Suddenly Free, Vol. 1 by Yvette Carmon Davis
Reading Device: B07HZHJGY7
fav_author_id: 225682

Post by MsTri »

Thanks for commenting, everyone! I really do think youngsters will get a kick out of this one!

@Miriam Molina, thank you SO much; I try really hard to make my reviews entertaining as well as informative.
vnod adhikari
Posts: 14
Joined: 21 Dec 2017, 10:28
Currently Reading: The Other Side of Him
Bookshelf Size: 16

Post by vnod adhikari »

Love books that encourage our little ones to get the Wiggles out. This is a darling. A great story with wonderful illustrations that incorporates with children's natural desire to be active.
User avatar
pinklover
Posts: 380
Joined: 29 Nov 2017, 20:30
Currently Reading: The Everett Exorcism
Bookshelf Size: 34
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-pinklover.html
Latest Review: Becoming the Dragon by Alex Sapegin

Post by pinklover »

wow, nice review. I found out that you wrote a fun review. As I read it, I imagine some spider dancing hiphop. Well, I enjoyed your review.
When everything seems too late, but it's not. God is there! Just keep on believing Jesus.
Post Reply

Return to “Children's Books”