Martee Dares to Dance

32 Pages • Fiction • 9" x 11" • Ages 3+ • Full Color Illustrations
$19.95
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In their first children's book, actors and dancers Harry Shum Jr (Grey’s Anatomy, Glee) and Shelby Rabara (Steven Universe) remind young ones that while embracing our true selves takes courage, it often leads to our greatest adventures. 

Martee loves dancing to his own beat. But after an embarrassing experience leaves him reluctant to show off his moves, Martee grapples with the decision to attend his school's upcoming Halloween dance. It isn't until he meets an unlikely friend—a Martian—that he finds the courage to embrace his bold moves and discovers that creative expression knows no bounds. 

Hardback ISBN:  9781962351041

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Learn how to dance like Martee!
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A story that builds confidence and encourages creative expression.
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Martee Dares to Dance

$19.95
Add to Cart
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DEBBIE ALLEN
choreographer, director, and children’s book author

Martee Dares to Dance is truly an original, beautifully illustrated children's book that will inspire young people to overcome their insecurities…This fantastic story is something children need. Bravo and thank you, Harry, Shelby and Bianca! My granddaughters loved it!”

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KATRINA MOORE
author the Grandpa Grumps series

Martee Dares to Dance shines a beautiful light on the loved ones that lift us up and encourage us to be our truest, happiest selves. Expect readers to be on their feet, moving along with Martee through the lively, sensory rich text and vibrant illustrations during reading, and then to leave this story dancing to the beat of their own big dreams. For anyone who dares to follow their heart, and especially for those who need a little guidance to do so, Martee delivers a fun, uplifting, and out of this world reading experience!”

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Why We Love This Book

"We wrote this book because it takes courage to dance in front of others,” say authors Shum and Rabara. "Dance opens up avenues of adventure, whether it be an impromptu dance party in the middle of the grocery store aisle or a way to express feelings of joy and sadness and all the in-betweens. It has been an amazing form of expression and a creative outlet for our family. We hope this book inspires kids and parents to embrace the way they move in this world."

Meet The Creators

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Shelby Rabara
Co-Author
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Harry Shum Jr
Co-Author
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Bianca Austria
Illustrator

Shelby Rabara is a Filipina-American actor, dancer, and writer from Orange County, California. She is best known for voicing the lovable Peridot in Cartoon Network’s Steven Universe. Shelby’s passion for dance started at the young age of four, and her love for it continued well into her professional life. Her stage credits include the national and international Glee tours, The Academy Awards, The Grammy Awards, The Country Music Awards, and Coachella. Shelby can also be seen dancing in the following television shows and films: Glee, Seventeen Again, Step Up 3d, and The LXD, to name a few. In her spare time, Shelby loves cooking, browsing international farmers markets, frolicking on the beach, and epic dance parties with her husband and daughter.

As an actor, dancer, and producer, Harry Shum Jr has proven himself to be a dynamic force in Hollywood. While he is best known for his role as Mike Chang on the hit series Glee, Shum has consistently embodied complex and meaningful characters. Shum can currently be seen as the sharp-witted intern Benson “Blue” Kwan on ABC’s long-running hit drama series Grey's Anatomy. He can also be seen as a fan favorite character in A24’s Academy Award winning feature, Everything Everywhere All at Once. Beginning his career as a dancer, Shum’s passion for storytelling utilizes his various backgrounds in specialized movement, dance and acting which has collectively forged a path to produce projects from a perspective that challenges the norm.

Bianca Austria is a Filipino-American artist who grew up in Manila, Philippines and is currently based in Long Beach, California. Her work revolves around her travels and childhood memories, often visualized in a playful and whimsical style. She takes pride in using her art to empower her Filipino culture as well as other underrepresented communities.

What Readers Are Saying

The story and illustrations are wonderful...

... and I read it in one sitting. It was as if the author was gently telling us, "Do what you think is right! I think these messages resonate more with children because their hearts are more pure. I think this is a wonderful book that will nurture children's soul to challenge various things as they think! The illustrations are also friendly and impactful, so I hope that children all over the world will read this book 💗

Hitomi Sato
The BEST! My 4 and 6-year old girls love this book!!

They can’t get enough of the illustrations, and the story has such a wonderful message. 10/10

Ryan Landels
REALLY AMAZING

It is a really beautiful book, my godchildren loved it and of course me too.

Shay

Customer Reviews

Based on 4 reviews
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S
Shay
REALLY AMAZING

It is a really beautiful book, my godchildren loved it and of course me too.

M
Miharu Kido
とても良い

子供の時にいじめられ、周囲に馴染めないかわり、ダンスで人気になった経験を絵本にした感じです。人種にこだわらず世界共通に適応しています。子供がいなくても大人だけでも楽しめれる内容になっています。絵もポップで可愛らしいです。とても気に入りました。

H
HITOMI SATO
MARTEE DARES TO DANCE

The story and illustrations are wonderful, and I read it in one sitting. Sometimes it takes courage to take the first step to start something. Sometimes it is children and sometimes it is adults as well. It was as if the author was gently telling us, "Do what you think is right!

I especially like the scene where Martee, the main character in this book, dances with the Martian. It was so fun and exciting. As Martee's feelings and body were gradually released, it was as if my heart had been released as well. Martee's courage to step out and dance to the beat gave me confidence. I felt the strong messages : "even if you have difficulties or feel lost, it is okay to believe in yourself and keep going! And it is important to challenges anything!
I think these messages resonate more with children because their hearts are more pure. Especially at the scene where Martee dances with the Martian, I think children will enjoy the story more than adults. I think this is a wonderful book that will nurture children's soul to challenge various things as they think!
The illustrations are also friendly and impactful, so I hope that children all over the world will read this book 💗

R
Ryan Landels
The BEST!

My 4 and 6-year old girls love this book!! They can’t get enough of the illustrations, and the story has such a wonderful message. 10/10