THE DANCE OF EASTER: Book Review by Sally Matheny

​Is your family ready to celebrate Easter? Currently, where I live in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, we’re experiencing cold, rainy days. But the daffodils have declared spring is coming! If the children you love are having a hard time waiting, then consider this review of THE DANCE OF EASTER. It may be the book to get them up and dancing!

The Author
An award-winning writer, Sally Cressman writes about faith, family, and home on her blog, www.sallycressman.com. THE DANCE OF EASTER is her first picture book. 

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lly has written children’s Sunday school curricula, devotions, and articles. She raised three children and served in children’s ministry for over thirty years. Recently, she guest-posted on my blog offering “10 Family Activities Enriching the Easter Season.”

Her other publishing credits include Focus on the Family, Clubhouse magazine, the Moms in Prayer blog, and the Nashville Christian Family magazine. 

Sally says her happy place is home, where she celebrates the grand and simple things of life. She and her husband live south of Nashville, Tennessee.

About THE DANCE OF EASTER
This hardcover book of 26 pages is published by Wren and Bear Books. It includes one scripture from The Christian Standard Bible. The scripture appears on the first page. It is Matthew 28:5-6 where the angel says not to be afraid and that Jesus has risen.
The story opens with three women standing outside of a sealed tomb and the text “The people stopped dancing.” Depending on your children's ages, you may want to preface this book with scriptures or another children’s book, such as “Easter is Coming,” about what took place prior to Christ's burial. 
The story in THE DANCE OF EASTER picks up after the crucifixion. The rhyming text tells children about the powerful “quake” and the women discovering the empty tomb. Two angels proclaim “He lives! He lives! God’s Son is not dead! Yes, Jesus arose in three days, like He said.” This refrain is repeated throughout the book.

Readers move away from the three women at the tomb and immediately to how animals may have responded to the good news. Children will see colorful butterflies in a pirouette, badgers twirling, frogs hip-hopping, moose stomping, deer prancing, and a fox and raccoon “joining the jig.” Beavers, sloths, rabbits, fish, and mice are also shown. Tulips and lilies are another aspect of nature mentioned. 
The story ends by bringing readers back to the three women standing beside Jesus, who says, “Dear Mary, it’s Me. Tell My friends and proclaim: ‘He lives! He lives! God’s Son is not dead! Yes, Jesus arose in three days, like He said.” The last page encourages children to clap, bounce, dance, and tell a neighbor the good news. 

The Illustrator
The bright and colorful illustrations are by Angela Edmonds. She created a very expressive and joyful bunch of animals.

Angela started her career as a layout artist for Walt Disney Feature Animation and later co-owned and operated Edmonds Studios with her husband Russ Edmonds, a well-known Disney Animator.

Angela says she has immersed herself in her passion with animals. She has lived on a large ranch, shown horses, worked with animals, and has spent her life studying and drawing them. Today, you can find her with her husband and menagerie of animals living in Acton, California.

Recommendation
This is a happy little book that’s sure to prompt little joyful dances of praise at Easter and beyond. I recommend it for children aged three to six years old. It would make a lovely gift for Easter.
While we wait for spring, tell us what causes your heart (or feet) to do a happy dance.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.

About Sally Matheny

Motivated by the power of story, history, and His Story, Sally Matheny’s passion is telling the next generation wondrous things.

Her nonfiction writing appears in worldwide, national, and regional publications, including Appleseeds, Clubhouse Jr., Homeschooling Today, and The Old Schoolhouse.

She and her husband live in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and are blessed with three children, two sons-in-law, and armfuls of grandbabies. Connect with Sally on several social media sites, but her favorite hangouts are at SallyMatheny.com and Pinterest.

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