For 3-5 Year Old Dancing Girls – Mabel Dancing

Mabel Dancing, by author Amy Hest and illustrator Christine Davenier, came out in 2000 but only recently came to my attention.

This is a great book to share in a preschool setting or at home with parents and child. It is a “classic story” in some ways of a little girl who dreams of dancing and naturally wants to move and dance at home. I was this little girl.

Mabel’s parents dress up to have a dance party downstairs in their large house. Mabel is tucked into bed for the night while the party takes place. She cannot resist, and ends up sneaking downstairs to have her short moment dancing too.

The watercolor images are the strongest element of this book. I also love that the story is about dancing in a general way (avoiding the stereotype of girls only dreaming of ballet).

I would recommend this book for children, especially girls, ages 3 to 5 years old.

You can purchase used copies of this book on amazon.com:

Mabel Dancing