Mighty Mara 2: Dancing with Dante Format: HC-PLC

Mighty Mara returns in this second installment of her series about self-empowerment and celebrating differences!

In Dancing with Dante, Mara learns “the golden rule” by thinking outside the box. After a long summer, Mara is back at school and gets paired up with a new student named Dante to write a report on their favorite animals. But Dante can’t seem to sit still or focus long enough to write anything down and Mara quickly becomes frustrated. When Dante apologizes ― telling her that school is hard for him, following directions is tough (as it turns out, he’s on the spectrum), and he often feels like an outsider (something Mara knows all too well) ― Mara realizes that showing Dante the same respect she craves is the key and the two decide to think about their project differently. 

Maybe they don’t need to write a report after all. Maybe they need to perform their report. It might not be how it’s usually done in Sametown...but it doesn’t mean it’s not the right way for these new friends.

Features:

• Key conversation starter about resilience, partnership, and embracing differences: Ideal for educators and caregivers who are looking for an accessible storytime book that features a diverse cast of kids, and positively showcases the joy of overcoming personal obstacles, and the positive impact of both embracing each other's differences and championing each other's strengths
• CASEL Alignment: Features pillars of Social Emotional Learning (SEL = self-awareness, relationship skills, social awareness, self-management):
  • Social Awareness: The book fosters empathy and inclusion by encouraging readers to understand the unique challenges faced by those with physical and mental disabilities, then taking them into consideration during their interactions with them/
  • Relationship Skills: Mara support of Dante showcases teamwork, communication, and mutual respect.
  • Responsible Decision-Making: Mara demonstrates the importance of making choices based on empathy and critical thinking.
  
  
• Themes for Classroom Learning/ Bookseller and Library Displays/Events:
  • National Disability Awareness Month (October)
  • ADHD Awareness Month (October)
  • International Women's Day (March 8)
  • National Girls and Women in Sports Day (First Wednesday in February)
  • Mental Health Awareness Month (May)
  • Inclusive Schools Week (First Week of December)
  • World Mental Health Day (October 10)
  • Children's Mental Health Week (First Full Week of February
  
  

Carina Ho (Author)
Carina Ho is dancer and musician who performs under the moniker ONIKHO. Having trained in dance and music since childhood, Carina joined AXIS Dance Company, a physically integrated dance company that casts dancers with and without disabilities, shortly after sustaining a spinal cord injury. Over the next two years she toured the United States with them until she was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship, for which she relocated to Montevideo, Uruguay to teach at the national dance conservatory El SODRE. During this time, Carina also began developing her music project, which melds her influences of classical, blues, and electronic music. Today she primarily tours as a musical artist, often collaborating with other disabled artists to promote the visibility of diverse bodies in the arts.

Jesse Byrd (Author)
Jesse Byrd is an international award-winning children's book author and the youngest NPR Board member. At 6'8", Jesse pivoted from playing basketball at UCSB to pursue his passion for storytelling. After working at Google in Silicon Valley and later EY in Dubai as Director of Communications for Middle East and North Africa, Jesse turned all of his energy toward his deepest love: making stories for youth and families with a focus on supporting diverse creators and #own voices material. He's written six children's books and helped produce over 40 others as an editor, art director, and publishing consultant. Jesse is based in Los Angeles, CA.