Thanks to Netgalley and Capstone for a free digital copy.

A cute story about embracing what brings you joy and not hiding who you are from your friends. Plus the illustrations are so cute!

Well, I just adore this book. As an adult reader, the way that this book fights the notions of toxic masculinity are just perfectly clear and beautifully applied. Children will love Brian and Lion and his dance moves, his supportive friends, and his courage. I would definitely read this in my classroom.

Brian The Dancing Lion

Brian is a Lion who loves to dance! But he feels like he needs to be Brave and strong, and dancing is not Brave or strong! I loved the way this story played out, and how his friends loved him for who he really was.

I read this to my 2 year old and he loved looking at all the pictures and seeing the different animals.

I loved the concept of this book! The fact you can do something even if other's think you shouldn't! The illustrations were awesome and the author has great skill at making the story flow nicely.

The dancing aspect was super cute - the author did a great job of bringing Brian to life! The idea that his friends were also super supportive of his dream was great because it shows that everyone can have their own passion!

Would purchase this for my daughter or any of my friends with kiddos!

Brian the lion loves to dance but is worried that his friends won't like him because he thinks dancing isn't brave and strong like a lion should be.

This is a lovely story about friendship and acceptance and how all hobbies and activities are for everyone to enjoy.

The beautiful illustrations in this book must get a special mention as they are just brilliant! Not overcomplicated but really engaging.

Loved this book! My kids have actually started dance class, so I thought this message was fantastic. Lion loves to dance, but feels too shy to dance in front of his friends because lions are supposed to be brave and strong and fierce, and no one would think a dancing lion is brave and strong and fierce. But when his friends find out, they're actually really supportive, and also share their own hobbies (singing, knitting, crafts etc.) Really loved the message of being a supportive friend, and also being brave enough to be yourself! And the illustrations were super cute too. Highly recommend!

An important story about being yourself, this book will encourage kids to pursue their passions despite what others might think of them, which turns out is the brave, strong and, fierce way to live!

This was such an adorable book! The illustrations in it were BEAUTIFUL!! I love the story that you shouldn’t be ashamed to do what you love/makes you happy. It’s a great lesson for children.

Brian the Dancing Lion is a great book to show kids that it’s ok to be yourself!

Brian loves to dance, but he hides it from all of his friends. As a lion, he’s expected to be brave and mighty, and he doesn’t think his friends would understand his love of dancing. He imagines they would make fun of him because dancing “isn’t something lions do.” In the end, Brian discovers that his friends love him no matter what and they all have their own hobbies that others might think of as silly.

The message in this story is great and something that will benefit young kids who might be struggling with who they are and societal pressures to fit into a traditional mold. I loved the illustrations in this book as well - the colors were rich and the jungle foliage was lush.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this sweet book.

Okay, this is simply lovely. A feel-good story of a lion who loves to dance and the fear he faces telling his friends about it. The reveal and twist are so sweet and wholesome. Cannot recommend enough!

This does just what you'd expect – portray a dancing lion, who's been told too many times that lions should roar and look fierce, not do things like flounce around a dance floor. Despite the blurb incorrectly thumping gender politics into things (something the actual book ignores up till then), the piece is a good evocation of being yourself, and not losing out due to embarrassment in who you are and what you like doing. It's a very common message in books for this age range these days, but this is not a bad example whatsoever, with just enough quirk and character to the art to make it more memorable.