Office Manager Conveys the Joy of Dancing in New Children’s Book

Kids love to move their bodies to all sorts of music, whether they do the shimmy or shake, a twirl or pirouette.

A youngster’s infectious enthusiasm for dance is captured in a new book, “Dance for Joy,” by local author Colleen Mitrano.

For eight years as office manager at the Dance for Joy dance school in Mohegan Lake, Mitrano has witnessed students of all ages delighted to take classes. Mitrano said the school has been a pillar in the community for 30 years.

“And now the school is immortalized in a children’s book,” Mitrano said. “The studio’s dedication to always bringing out the best in its students and keeping them happy really became an inspiration for me to write my first-ever children’s book.

The kids are always so happy, they light up the room as they walk into the dance studio. They are excited to be there and to be doing what they love.”

The 25-page book appeals to children three years old and up. The main character is a young girl named Joy who loves to dance. When Joy is asked by her dance teacher why she dances, she ponders the question, and in doing so discovers she dances because it is what she loves to do.

“The book emphasizes how doing what makes you happy can be the best thing for you,” Mitrano explained. “The message is that as a kid you can build your confidence and use your imagination. My purpose was to tell kids they are perfect just the way they are.”

Mitrano created the images for “Dance for Joy” using Canva, an online program. She self-published the book last month.

It will be the first in a planned “Joy” series Mitrano is working on which will focus on building kids’ confidence and encouraging youngsters not to be swayed by others.

A 20-year resident of Lake Peekskill, Mitrano has published a memoir “…And People Thought I Didn’t Know,” short stories on different media sites including Vocal.media and KindeVella. Her short story, “Quartz Falls,” was a finalist in last year’s Vocal Media Fiction Awards.

Among Mitrano’s favorite books that she read as a youngster was the “Miss Nelson” series by Harry Allard and the vintage fairy tales of the Golden Books by James Marshall.

“There’s one sentimental story called ‘Old Bear’ by Jane Hissey. That story still tugs at my heartstrings,” Mitrano recalled.

This year the well-established Dance for Joy dance school is celebrating its 30^th

anniversary. Director Roberta Humphrey has offered classes for preschool children to high school seniors. Mitrano said she’s anticipating the upcoming auditions for the seasonal production of “The Nutcracker.”

“It’s wonderful to see all the kids come in to try out for a part and their excitement to be a part of the performance,” Mitrano said. “It’s something I always look forward to.”

“Dance for Joy” is available on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Dance-Joy-Colleen-Mitrano/dp/B0CH23Z189. Also visit Mitrano’s website at www.uniquelyindividuallyme.com.