Dance to Your Own Beat

by Refiloe Moahloli and illustrated by Gabi Boy (Pan Macmillan)

Ages 5-8

Zazi dreams about dancing, but she’s too scared to try. What if she’s not good enough? What will people say?

With encouragement from her parents Zazi faces her fears and finds the courage to listen to her heart.

Dance to your own beat is an inspiring story about following your dreams and allowing others to support you on the journey.

We love the positive, upbeat message which inspires children to believe in themselves. The story perfectly captures that shy, scary feeling when you want to follow your heart but you think everyone is watching you and judging you.  This is a vital lesson to learn at a young age – no one cares as much as you think they do!  Equally important is the support Zazi receives from her family and community. 

They tell her that she is born from a long line of dancers and that “dancing isn’t something you DO, it’s who you are!” 

“You sparkle when you think no-one is looking. That’s the way you should always dance, without worrying about anyone.”

I love the scenes where the whole family are dancing with her and practicing. 

This book is also available in isiZulu, isiXhosa, Sesotho and Afrikaans.

Meet The Author

Refiloe Moahloli is a prolific South African author of such favourites as How Many Ways Can You Say Hello?, Tullula, Yes Yanga! Yheke Yanga!, We Are One, and Know My Name. 

She hails from Mthatha in the Eastern Cape, South Africa and has a Bachelor of Commerce in Information Systems from the University of Witwatersrand.  After spending the early part of her career navigating the dynamic corporate world, she decided to pursue her passion for writing after an eye-opening assignment to Mumbai, India.  

As an aunt to many nieces and nephews who consider her ‘one of them’, they inspire a multitude of stories that are constantly swimming in her head, waiting to be penned and made alive.

Refiloe is based in Johannesburg; enjoys playing hockey, watching cricket and is passionate about writing and animating stories that bring out the best in the human spirit – stories where children can identify and celebrate themselves.

Find out more about her work here.