Diana Dances
Diana Dances
“Good morning!” Diana’s teacher greeted the students one Monday when they got to class. “Today we’ll be preparing for your math test.”
Diana did not like to study. But above all, she did not like math.
Diana was bored at school, and never got good grades.
And then, at home Monday afternoon, Diana’s mother got more bad news from the school. It said Diana would fail if she could not learn her multiplication tables.
So begins this vivid picture book by Barcelona-based illustrator Luciano Lozano. Originally published in Spanish as Bea baila, Diana Dances is the first book Lozano has both authored and illustrated.
And the illustrations—mostly double-page spreads with lots of emotion and movement—are exceptionally good. Diana is a captivating character who immediately engages readers on her side of a story that—if it were told through images alone—would be perfect.
Unfortunately, in this case, the words do sometimes get in the way of a modern fable about a little girl who needs to discover that, when she dances, anything is possible. The beginning of the story is heavy with telling rather than showing, and doesn’t jive very well with Canadian practices around grade retention. Young children reading this section might begin to worry about their own progress—could they, too, be in danger of failing a primary grade if they can’t master one of the subject areas? And the idea of young children having to study or perform well on high stakes mathematics’ tests might also be foreign in today’s educational circles.
Diana’s difficulties with concentration lead her family to consult a psychologist who very wisely leaves the little girl alone in the examining room with music playing. And that’s when Diana’s transformative experiences with dance begin!
“For a moment, Diana forgot where she was. She smiled and closed her eyes as her body moved gracefully, following the rhythm of the music.” As Diana’s mother and the psychologist observe her from the doorway, a prescription is suggested. “I recommend taking her to dance school!” says the psychologist. And while Diana does need to keep practicing her multiplication tables, she discovers that dancing at the same time makes it easier to think. And of course, she eventually passes that math test.
Because of the necessity of interpreting Diana’s journey towards self-actualization in the modern context, a slightly older readership is suggested instead of the 3-6 age range proposed by the publisher.
Bev Brenna is the author of many books for young people, often exploring diverse perspectives and exceptionalities. She is also a professor at the University of Saskatchewan where her research interests include literacy and children’s literature.