Lawrence Likes to Dance

Lawrence was learning all the things a young dinosaur needed to learn in a dangerous place. But he also found something that brought him joy all day, every day. Dancing. Not everyone understood what he was doing or why he was doing it. The older dinosaurs definitely didn’t understand, and this is where the trouble started. Lawrence must find a way not only to free himself but also his friends.

About the Author!

Don Stansberry

International Award-winning author Don Stansberry is a native West Virginian and retired elementary school teacher. He is the author of Isle of Shadows: The Inky Trilogy and his children’s books, which he also illustrated. Koko & Stoney Mom’s Choice Award and Crusty, named a Finalist in the USA News Best Book Awards.

Don is the author of Secret Blood, a multi-award-winning book that took top honors for best spiritual fiction at the London Book Festival. It was named a Winner at the Next Generation Indie Book Awards at a reception at The Plaza in New York City during Book Expo America. His second novel, Vulture Bend, is a riveting good vs. evil award-winning story. Cryptic Blood, sequel to Secret Blood is his most recent novel. He was the head coach for the Parkersburg High Girls' Basketball team for 16 years and retired from this position with four state championships.

Don is also a Headline Books Collaboration Author and works with students to complete the writing and illustrations of a fundraising book for their schools as part of the Headline Kids School Show Program. He guides them from topic to completed book, which is published by Headline Books.

Don Stansberry

Don Stansberry

For Patty. Always.

Lawrence Likes to Dance

by Don Stansberry copyright ©2025 Don Stansberry All rights reserved. This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents, except where noted otherwise, are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any other resemblance to actual people, places or events is entirely coincidental. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any other form or for any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information storage system, without written permission from Headline Books.

To order additional copies of this book, or for book publishing information, or to contact the author: Headline Kids P. O. Box 52 Terra Alta, WV 26764 Email: mybook@headlinebooks.com www.headlinebooks.com Published by Headline Books Headline Kids is an imprint of Headline Books ISBN-13: 9781958914748 Library of Congress Control Number:

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A M E R I C A

Thanks to Stacy Allender for technical assistance.

From the outside, Lawrence looked like all the rest.

But on the inside, music was beating in his chest.

3

He knew right then, right from the start, He had to dance to the rhythm of his heart.

4

If they were far off if they were near, No one could hear what Lawrence could hear.

5

He danced in the forest, he danced without care, He even danced with a tree that was growing there.

6

Lawrence kept dancing, across the land, He still heard the music, without drums or a band.

7

He danced with Chuck and he danced with Sue.

8

9

He even danced with that thing that flew.

10

But his parents weren’t happy, he was acting strange.

His dancing habits would have to change.

11

If he could slip away without making a sound He could dance all he wanted with no one around.

12

His friends were worried when he wasn’t around.

So one dark night they tracked him down.

13

The next day, when they found him, his joy had spread.

They could hear the music playing inside his head.

14

They danced in the water, they danced in the mud.

They danced very lightly, they danced with a thud.

15

They danced with such glee, they danced without fear, Until someone shouted, “What’s happening here?”

16

Then dancing was forbidden, stopped, shut down Lawrence couldn’t dance, even with no one around.

17

His friends were sad, they couldn’t play.

Their parents thought he would lead them astray.

18

So Lawrence trudged on, lost and alone, He wasn’t so sure he could ever go home.

19

One day, when Lawrence was walking around, He heard a roar so loud that it shook the ground.

20

He took off so fast; on his feet, he flew.

But what could a little dinosaur do?

21

A monster was there, eyeing Patty and Chuck Picking some out to gobble them up.

22

Lawrence jumped in, not knowing what to do.

The monster looked down, ready to chew.

23

Lawrence thought quickly. It was his only chance, He closed his eyes and began to dance.

24

“This kid is crazy!

Why doesn’t he run?”

“What’s he doing?

That looks like fun!”

25

Then something happened, down low in his toe.

It worked its way up. It started to flow.

26

Lawrence kept dancing; the monster started to move.

Before they knew it, they both found the groove.

27

Everyone danced, so strong and so sure, They now heard the music they had not heard before.

28

Only moments before, dancing had made him a zero, But opening their minds now made him a hero.

29

He liked his trophy up high on the shelf.

But there’s no better prize than being true to yourself.

30

“And those who danced were thought insane by those who could not hear the music.”

–Nietzsche 31

...or something like that.

32

Lawrence was learning all the things a young dinosaur needed to learn in a dangerous place. But he also found something that brought him joy all day, every day. Dancing. Not everyone understood what he was doing or why he was doing it. The older dinosaurs definitely didn’t understand, and this is where the trouble started. Lawrence must find a way not only to free himself but also his friends.

About the Author!

Don Stansberry

International Award-winning author Don Stansberry is a native West Virginian and retired elementary school teacher. He is the author of Isle of Shadows: The Inky Trilogy and his children’s books, which he also illustrated. Koko & Stoney Mom’s Choice Award and Crusty, named a Finalist in the USA News Best Book Awards.

Don is the author of Secret Blood, a multi-award-winning book that took top honors for best spiritual fiction at the London Book Festival. It was named a Winner at the Next Generation Indie Book Awards at a reception at The Plaza in New York City during Book Expo America. His second novel, Vulture Bend, is a riveting good vs. evil award-winning story. Cryptic Blood, sequel to Secret Blood is his most recent novel. He was the head coach for the Parkersburg High Girls' Basketball team for 16 years and retired from this position with four state championships.

Don is also a Headline Books Collaboration Author and works with students to complete the writing and illustrations of a fundraising book for their schools as part of the Headline Kids School Show Program. He guides them from topic to completed book, which is published by Headline Books.

Don Stansberry