The Dance That Had No Steps

Celebrating All the Different Ways We Can Belong

Hippo has invented the greatest dance the forest has ever seen. It has three enormous stomps, two mighty jumps, and a spectacular spin at the end. He practices all morning before rushing to show his friend Snake, certain they'll have the most wonderful time dancing together. But when Hippo begins teaching the steps, something becomes clear. Snake can't stomp, jump, or spin quite like Hippo. He tries his best, twisting and wriggling across the ground, but the dance simply wasn't made for someone without feet. Disappointed, Snake begins to slither away. Perhaps this is one dance he just isn't meant to join.

The Dance That Had No Steps follows Hippo as he discovers that including someone means more than simply inviting them to participate. When he realizes why Snake feels left out, Hippo begins to rethink his wonderful dance. What if there weren't any rules about stomping or jumping? What if a dance could include slithering, swaying, stretching, and every other movement imaginable? Together, the two friends create something completely new, a dance where neither has to move like the other and both can express themselves in their own special way.

Filled with joyful movement, playful rhythms, and the celebration of two very different friends, the story introduces inclusivity through an experience children can easily recognize. It encourages young readers to appreciate different abilities, question rules that unintentionally leave others out, and create opportunities where everyone feels welcome. Hippo and Snake discover that belonging doesn't mean everyone has to do things the same way. Sometimes, the most wonderful experiences happen when we make room for everyone to be themselves.