April Vidal, the children's dance instructor known as Miss April, will discuss her book series at the Friends of the Murrieta Library meeting Tuesday, Sept. 15. The free talk starts at 1 p.m. in the Lab Room at the Murrieta Public Library, 8 Town Square.

Admission is free.

Vidal's program, Miss April's Dance, has been part of Murrieta Parks and Recreation for 36 years, the Press Enterprise reported, citing a news release from the Friends of the Murrieta Library. She launched the program in 1990 and has since expanded it to also serve Orange Terrace and Menifee Parks and Recreation departments.

Her children's book series, Miss April's Dance Books, uses dance, movement and storytelling to teach confidence, kindness, perseverance and self-expression. Named titles include "I Don't Want to Go on Stage!" and "Waltzing Through the Years." According to Vidal's LinkedIn profile, the series is planned as eight books, with six released so far.

The Murrieta/Wildomar Chamber of Commerce named Vidal its August 2026 Ambassador of the Month, recognizing what the chamber called her enthusiasm, involvement and continued commitment. She has also been recognized as the chamber's Citizen of the Year in 2020 and Ambassador of the Year in 2015 and 2016. In March 2019, then-state Sen. Melissa Melendez named Vidal Woman of the Year.

Vidal's husband, Darryl Vidal, a martial arts expert who served as Pat Morita's stunt double in the original 1984 "Karate Kid," headlined the Friends of the Murrieta Library's September 2025 meeting. The couple's back-to-back appearances reflect the group's monthly tradition of hosting published authors.

The Friends of the Murrieta Library support the Murrieta Public Library through fundraising, advocacy and volunteerism. The volunteer group also operates two used bookstores: the Town Square Bookstore next to the library and the Corner Bookstore at 39445 Los Alamos Road. Proceeds help fund library programs and services.

More information is available from the Friends of the Murrieta Library.