Leni and Oscar and the Secret of the Ballet Tree - A children's book about body awareness, courage, and the joy of learning #987951

What happens when courage moves faster than the body? And what helps when a child notices a great deal but does not yet fully trust their own perception?

Leni and Oscar enter a ballet studio and discover that dancing is about much more than beautiful steps, turns, and jumps. Oscar wants to begin immediately and show what he can do. Leni watches closely, senses uncertainty, and notices things that others easily overlook.

Then the children discover a very special tree: the Ballet Tree.

It shows them that learning needs roots. Body Knowledge, Nutrition, Recovery, and Self-Respect provide support. Planning and Motivation help growth begin. Technique, Attention, Communication, Memory, and Practice help learning develop. And at the very top, the question is not simply, “Was everything perfect?” but:

“What have I learned — and where have I grown?”

Leni and Oscar and the Secret of the Ballet Tree is a warm story about children who discover that the body is not an opponent that has to be defeated. It is part of who they are — and something they can learn with.

In a child-friendly way, the story explores:

• body awareness and body knowledge
• courage, patience, and self-confidence
• self-respect and personal boundaries
• learning without pressure or shame
• mistakes, correction, and trying again
• motivation, attention, and practice
• learning together and supporting one another
• expression, performance, and the joy of learning

The story shows that growing does not mean being able to do everything immediately. A small, attentive plié can contain more learning than a large movement performed without understanding. A break can be useful. A correction can help without making a child feel small. And courage can also mean listening to what the body is saying.

This book is especially suitable for:

• children who dance ballet or are curious about dance
• children who sometimes become impatient, uncertain, or very ambitious while learning
• children who compare themselves with others or feel they should be able to do everything right away
• parents, teachers, and educators
• ballet teachers and dance educators

Leni and Oscar and the Secret of the Ballet Tree combines an imaginative ballet story with questions many children know: Do I have to be able to do something immediately? Am I allowed to make mistakes? Is it okay to need a break? How do I notice what my body is telling me? And how can I grow without going against myself?

Because a tree does not grow because it is perfect. It grows because it has roots.