The Twirly Wiggly Dance

By Author / Illustrator

Farrah Riaz, Navya Raju

Genre

Friends and family

Age range(s)

Publisher

Oxford University Press

ISBN

9780192789679

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

01-08-2024

Synopsis

Based on debut author Farrah Riaz's own childhood experiences comes The Twirly Wiggly Dance, a relatable story about dancing to your own beat set against the celebratory backdrop of a South-Asian Muslim wedding, bursting with colourful illustrations by Navya Raju. Perfect for entertaining young twirlers and wigglers!

Little Intisar has a BIG job at her Auntie Mahira's wedding: she's going to dance in the group performance! As she practises, she realizes there is one dance move that she just can't do - no matter how hard she twirls and wiggles. Intisar worries she'll ruin the whole routine, and disappoint Auntie Mahira. Can Intisar's family of movers and groovers show her that being herself is far more fun than being perfect?

Extra pages at the back of the book with non-fiction information about all the events of a Muslim wedding, make this is a perfect book to read and talk about together.

Find out more in our Q&A with author and illustrator Farrah Riaz and Navya Raju

Download Extract

Reviews

Amanda

Little Intisar has a big job at her Aunty Mahira's wedding but she has been asked to do something that she cannot do. This wonderful story links relatable feelings of anxiety about disappointing a loved one and failure through not being able to do something you were asked to do, but ends in the joy and celebration of being yourself.

The backdrop of a Muslim wedding will gently introduce many readers to a new culture. The authors have paid great attention to detail to ensure that it is factually correct and the additional information included at the end of the book is really helpful when discussing the celebration with children.

The Twirly Wiggly Dance is a must-have book when studying 'Mile stones in our lives' topics and encouraging knowledge of a range of cultures. The vibrant illustrations add to the enjoyment and energy throughout this beautifully written story.

Picture book / Reviewed by Amanda Shipton, teacher

Lizi

Intisar's aunt is getting married and she's been asked to dance in a big group performance, but even though Intisar practises and practises, she just can't get one of the moves right!

The Twirly Wiggly Dance is a lovely story about overcoming something tricky and being confident, set within the context of a South Asian Muslim wedding celebration. The illustrations are bright and engaging and any vocabulary that is specific to the Muslim celebrations (such as 'Walima' or 'Nikkah') is explained in the text or in the couple of pages about wedding celebrations at the end.

This would make a great addition to a reception or KS1 bookshelf as it introduces the process of a wedding in Islam, as well as being easily accessible for younger readers due to the main character Intisar being a young girl. It's a story with a moral too, as everyone joins in to celebrate in the final pages - doing so however they want to, and it is good to see boys dancing and being themselves at the end!

Picture book / Reviewed by Lizi Backhouse, teacher