Tamara

A beautiful short animated film from the team at www.houseboatanimation.com

For more questions based on this film click here

Tamara reads her book which says,
Gwen dreams of dancing with the stars.  Her Prince appeared and they danced to the moon and back.
The book sums up exactly what Tamara would like to do.  We see Tamara open her music box and dance along to the tune, but when the tune stops Tamara carries on dancing, watched by her mother, who seems sad at first.  She then tells Tamara to "Dance until the stars don't shine!"

Created by www.houseboatstudio.com
Watch it on Vimeo here https://vimeo.com/67068457

Key Questions

  • Why do you think Tamara hugs the book when she closes it?
  • What does she want to be when she grows up?  How do you know?
Pause the film when her mother places the towels on the shelf.


  • Where does Mum work?
  • Where is Dad? Is he at home or away?  Why do we think this?
Play some more of the film and stop when Mum is watching from the doorway at 2 mins 20.


  • What do you think the mum is thinking?
Pause the film at 2 mins 26 What has the Mum just noticed?  The musical box has stopped but Tamara is still dancing.  Why do we think that this is?

When her Mum speaks to Tamara what do you think her reply is?

Do you think Tamara will grow up to be a dancer?
Why do you think her mum look sad when she hugs her?
Writing opportunities
Write a description of the scene describing the 'ordinary' but also merge this with what Tamara can see in her head.
Write a diary entry in the role of Tamara.
Write a letter from Tamara to her father.
Write a letter from Tamara's mother to her father telling her all about Tamara and what she has been up to