Rebecca’s Dream That Wasn’t
A Story of Courage, Dreams, and Center Stage
Rebecca loved to dance. Someday she was going to dance in a theatre with a real stage and velvet curtains wearing beautiful costumes in front of a real audience. The dance studio was her favorite place to be – until one day the teacher told her she would dance the lead part in their upcoming recital of “The Sleeping Beauty”.
This was wonderful terrible news! Wonderful, because it meant that her teacher thought she was dancing well. Terrible, because it meant she would have to dance alone, by herself, on a big stage, which, Rebecca was just discovering, terrified her.
What was she going to do?!
Will she allow her fear to throw away her dream? Or will she find the courage and to make her dream come true?
Meet the Characters
Rebecca
A passionate young dancer with a big dream and a sudden case of stage fright.
Mrs. Garrett
A wise and supportive dance teacher who sees Rebecca’s potential and believes in her more than Rebecca believes in herself.
The Dance Friends
Fellow students in the studio who cheer Rebecca on and help her prepare for the big performance.
Why Read Rebecca’s Dream That Wasn’t
Every child faces moments when fear gets louder than their dreams. Rebecca’s Dream That Wasn’t reminds young readers that courage isn’t the absence of fear—it’s choosing to try anyway.
💖 Empowers children to face their fears and believe in themselves.
🎭 Perfect for young dancers, performers, and dreamers of all kinds.
👩🏫 A great read-aloud for classrooms, families, and dance studios.
📘 Explores themes of courage, self-confidence, and resilience in a gentle, heartwarming way.
💡 Ideal for ages 5–9, but resonates with anyone who’s ever felt afraid of stepping into the spotlight.
From Our Book-Loving Community
A Magical Journey Through Dreams and Feelings
Rebecca’s Dream That Wasn’t is a creative and touching story that really sparks the imagination. It follows a young girl on a dream adventure full of mystery and emotion. The illustrations are beautiful and really bring the dream world to life. My child was fascinated by the story, and we had some great conversations afterward about dreams and feelings. It’s both magical and meaningful—highly recommend for kids who love stories that make them think!
~ Breidy
A great story about overcoming stage fright
A wonderful story about a little girl, Rebecca, who has been asked to dance the lead role in the ballet The Sleeping Beauty. Although Rebecca is a good dancer, she has doubts on whether she will be able to carry out the leading role without falling on her face and embarrassing herself. One night she has a dream where she perfectly executes her performance and is cheered on by all of the stuffed animals and toys in her bedroom. When she wakes the next morning she wonders about the dream–was it a dream or did it really happen? Regardless, Rebecca is fueled with courage and confidence, and knows that she can indeed dance the lead role of Sleeping Beauty.
~ Wendy S.
Awesome for kids
This is a great book. How many of us can relate to this ? I think the author did an incredible job writing this book. It could easily be used by teachers, parents or anyone working with kids.
~ mrksoccer33
Inspiring and Sweet!
A lovely story about finding courage when fear shows up. Perfect for little dreamers with big goals!
~ Natalie H
Will I be good enough?
Ruth does a wonderful job describing the very real sentiments kids and grownups feel when the spotlight is on them. See how Rebecca deals with this uncertainty within her own abilities. Great job with the illustrations displaying all the emotions. This is a must read for any child to help overcome these feelings.
~ Stacia V.
Dreams can be Empowering !
I’m loving ‘Rebecca’s Dream That Wasn’t’! This inspiring story follows Rebecca’s journey as she finds confidence and courage through her passion for dance.” As a retired teacher I highly recommended this inspiring book to schools, offices, and libraries for its uplifting message and positive themes.
~ H Thomas
The Power of Imagination and Passion–“Goal Achieved”!
This artistically illustrated story reveals a delightful message–confidence and courage are available. Through the thoughtful and well crafted illustrations and text, Ruth Shevlin invites the reader/listener to journey into the realm of imagination and tap into a resource that is available to the young and old alike. A simple, fun and refreshing glimpse into how the power of passion and imagination combined, result in–“goal achieved”!
~ Jane C
A great story about overcoming fears
The main character is offered the lead role in the ballet The Sleeping Beauty…but will stage fright prevent her from performing? This creative story unfolds when she has a dream that helps her to build the courage to dance! The colorful illustrations enhance the story and showcase ballet movements that inspire.
~ E. Cole
Ruth Don Shevlin | Author • Artist • Storyteller
Welcome to the official home of Ruth Don Shevlin — author, artist, and storyteller. Discover inspiring children's books that spark imagination, encourage meaningful conversations, and celebrate the joy of storytelling. Explore creative resources for young readers and performers, and become part of a community where every story has the power to make a difference.
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