A tender story that teaches young readers that ballet isn’t just about performing—it’s also about relationships
For those who are starting to dream of pirouettes and pointe shoes.
In this epistolary picture book from “Little Dancer” to “Ballerina,” who responds, this young, admiring protagonist describes what she likes about ballet: tiptoeing in ballet slippers, bending and stretching, jumping and turning. Little Dancer describes how she prepares for a performance, works hard in rehearsals, enjoys getting fitted for her tutu, and delights in wearing stage makeup. Little Dancer also loves seeing Ballerina’s name sewn into her tutu; it was once Ballerina’s. Awaiting her turn to perform, Little Dancer watches Ballerina from the wings as Ballerina dances with a male lead before an eager audience. When she finally gets her turn on stage with Ballerina, Little Dancer “dream[s] of being an amazing ballerina” too. Backgrounds awash in pastel pinks, yellows, greens, and purples create a joyous mood, and the thin, sans-serif type compliments the elegance of this art form. Text and illustrations in the backmatter explain some of the accoutrements of ballet, such as needle and thread, leg warmers, and a leotard. Although the illustrations depict both Little Dancer and Ballerina with light-brown skin and show a multicultural cast of little ballerinas—both male and female—with different skin and eye colors, their uniformly round heads and body types somewhat detract from the message that ballet is truly inclusive.
A tender story that teaches young readers that ballet isn’t just about performing—it’s also about relationships .(Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: March 19, 2019
ISBN: 978-0-8234-3932-4
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Holiday House
Review Posted Online: Nov. 20, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 15, 2018
Nice enough but not worth repeat reads.
Emma deals with jitters before playing the guitar in the school talent show.
Pop musician Kevin Jonas and his wife, Danielle, put performance at the center of their picture-book debut. When Emma is intimidated by her very talented friends, the encouragement of her younger sister, Bella, and the support of her family help her to shine her own light. The story is straightforward and the moral familiar: Draw strength from your family and within to overcome your fears. Employing the performance-anxiety trope that’s been written many times over, the book plods along predictably—there’s nothing really new or surprising here. Dawson’s full-color digital illustrations center a White-presenting family along with Emma’s three friends of color: Jamila has tanned skin and wears a hijab; Wendy has dark brown skin and Afro puffs; and Luis has medium brown skin. Emma’s expressive eyes and face are the real draw of the artwork—from worry to embarrassment to joy, it’s clear what she’s feeling. A standout double-page spread depicts Emma’s talent show performance, with a rainbow swirl of music erupting from an amp and Emma rocking a glam outfit and electric guitar. Overall, the book reads pretty plainly, buoyed largely by the artwork. (This book was reviewed digitally.)
Nice enough but not worth repeat reads. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: March 29, 2022
ISBN: 978-0-593-35207-6
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Razorbill/Penguin
Review Posted Online: Feb. 8, 2022
Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 2022
BOOK REVIEW
Not astonishingly go-out-and-buy-it-at-graduation inspirational, but all it takes is one seed of change to be planted.
Imagination soars—quite literally—when a little girl follows her own set of rules.
Every year Oak Hill School has a go-kart race called the Going Places contest. Students are given identical go-kart kits with a precise set of instructions. And of course, every single kart ends up exactly the same. Every one, that is, except Maya’s. Maya is a dreamy artist, and she would rather sketch birds in her backyard than get caught up in the competition. When she finally does start working, she uses the parts in the go-kart box but creates something completely different. No one ever said it had to be a go-kart. Maya’s creative thinking inspires Rafael, her neighbor (and the most enthusiastic Going Places contestant), to ask to team up. The instructions never say they couldn’t work together, either! An ode to creativity and individuality to be sure, but the Reynolds brothers are also taking a swipe at modern education: Endless repetition and following instructions without question create a culture of conformity. Hopefully now, readers will see infinite possibility every time the system hands them an identical go-kart box.
Not astonishingly go-out-and-buy-it-at-graduation inspirational, but all it takes is one seed of change to be planted. (Picture book. 4-8)Pub Date: March 18, 2014
ISBN: 978-1-4424-6608-1
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Atheneum
Review Posted Online: Jan. 14, 2014
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 2014
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