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Toy Dance Party


In Toy Dance Party, readers will fall so deeply in love with a courageous buffalo named Lumpy, an ever so bossy StingRay, and a little round ball named Plastic, that they will almost forget that the characters are not real people. "Children like to see animals dressed like people and believe in them readily. Young children often are willing to invest in any kind of creature or object with human characteristics" making this a perfect fantasy novel (Galda, 2017). Jenkins does a magnificent job weaving in relatable themes like friendship and the meaning of life, while connecting with any child who has ever had a deep connection to an inanimate object. Stingrays do not play cards and washing machines do not sing so it is very easy for young readers to decipher between fact and fantasy, while still enjoying this imaginative tale. 

Teachers can use this text:

  • as a "feel good" read aloud for students to connect with and enjoy
  • to teach themes of friendship, imagination, and adventure

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Author: Emily Jenkins

Illustrator: Paul O. Zelinsky

Year Published: 2008

Target Age/ Grade Level: Ages 6-10/ Grades 1-4

Genre: Fantasy

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