“DanSing Pancakes” by Joe Coleman

• 06/20/2023
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DanSing Pancakes

Joe Coleman
Independently published (2022)
ISBN: 979-8810747536
Reviewed by Rachel Dehning for Reader Views (06/23)

“DanSing Pancakes’ Healthy Choices Musical Story” is an interactive children’s story rewritten by Joe Coleman, the lead vocalist of the 1950s singing group, “The Platters.” The purpose is to deter kids from smoking cigarettes, drinking alcohol, and using drugs. The story begins with the creation and birth of two pancakes – Pablo and Priscilla, aka the DanSing Pancakes, on a beautiful and innocent day baking. The DanSing Pancakes leap, escape from the house, and locate a cabin in the woods to enjoy their day with tasty syrup, berries, and brown sugar. That night, as if in a vision, the two pancakes dream and are shown their purpose in this world- to teach kids through music about cigarettes, alcohol, and drugs.

To reach the kids, they find a school and begin by attending classes and learning about the students. As is bound to be seen in most schools, the DanSing Pancakes spot students smoking cigarettes and marijuana but also facing the consequences from the principal. Feeling passionate and excited about their purpose, the two create a catchy tune and lyrics to draw the student’s attention. Their song can be accessed through the QR code in the book, in addition to the URL https://qrco.de/dansing-pancakes.

“DanSing Pancakes” isn’t quite like anything I’ve read or come across before – they are a new and exciting way to present an ageless message to our younger generation imaginatively and enticingly. The Pancake duo are high energy and care about the reader, everyone of any age; they are all smiles and will brighten up any reader’s day. They have a website dedicated to readers for the chance to follow them and engage in artful activities while sharing their opinions on products and aspects of the story and characters. “DanSing Pancakes” would be appropriate for any school-aged child; the text is simple enough for the younger ages and relatable for the older. My two children found the Pancakes’ story and tune catchy – they are on repeat! The story has no room for confusion, so kids should gain maximum knowledge and enjoyment by flowing through the pages from beginning to end, with a relaxing pause toward the end when listening to the song. There is something for everyone – children will enjoy the coloring pages at the end, and parents will appreciate the pledges and certificates the kids can achieve. The students will be eager to sign their names to the certificates now while they’re young and these certificates will serve as reminders later when they’re older, when temptation may be stronger.