Originally published in Spanish under the title Bea baila by Luciano Lozano, Diana Dances, translated by Yanitzia Canetti is the story of Diana, a little girl who does not like school and often struggles. Mom sets out to find out why Diana struggles. She hires a tutor, takes her to the family doctor and eventually a psychologist to determine why Diana is struggling. Turns out Diana just needs to move. She needs to dance and when she is dancing, it is much easier to remember things like multiplication tables. Diana lives for her dance classes and dance classes have made it so she begins to find success in school.

Such a fantastic mirror book for many children who find school to be challenging, who just can’t sit still and need another outlet to help them learn. We know children learn in many different ways and there is no one way to reach all children. There are times when we need to help children find success in different ways, helping them play to their strengths. I really like the part where Diana visits a psychologist as there are many children who will experience the same thing along their learning path.

Illustrated by Luciano Lozano, the illustrations are at times pretty retro, especially the illustration of the psychologist. They are also full of life, movement and detail making this an inviting and fun read. ( )

This book has a special place in my heart. Being a retired teacher as well as a grandparent, I certainly want to promote individuality, positive self-esteem, various learning styles and developing ways to motivate and stimulate today's children. When Diana is having difficulty concentrating and getting motivated in school, her mother is worried. She takes her to the family doctor and in turn he sends her to a Psychologist. It is only when they realize that Diana needs to move, has natural rhythm and is able to concentrate when she is allowed to move, that she becomes successful. This is a cute little book. Empowering kids to overcome their difficulties in school by exploring some non-traditional activities is a nice thing to see in a picture book and hopefully in real life. The illustrations, are wonderful. They look like pencil drawings and are very sweet. I loved looking for her dog in any of the pictures of her at home or outside playing. He is so cute. All in all, I was pleasantly surprised. This would be a great book to read with kids who might be struggling with paying attention, and it might give parents some ideas on new ways to help deal with the problem. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating, ideas and opinions are my own. ( )

As a whole, I really like this story. The end and the illustrations make it worth it. However at times it seems to drag, and like she has an over worried mother. Because he daughter can not concentrate she takes her to the doctor, and then a shrink. It makes a kid feel bad about themselves. Everything works out in the end, but to me that section drags the story down. ( )