9. Let's Dance (Ballet Bunnies #2)

Let's Dance (Ballet Bunnies #2) Swapna Reddy. Illustrated by Binny Talib. 2021. 96 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Miss Luisa's School of Dance was surprisingly noisy when Millie turned up for her ballet lesson.

Premise/plot: Millie has kept up with her dance lessons despite the unfriendly welcome and the bullying. Those bunnies must be super-super cute to make up for it! In this second adventure, the school is preparing for a recital (or show). Amber the bully is sure that Millie who is absolutely new to dancing and hardly has any skills will 'ruin' the show. She is determined to find a way to keep Millie from the stage...but with a little help from the bunnies...things may be set right before the 'curtains open.'

My thoughts: I do have to say I was wrong. My first impression is that the school only had one class. I do think there are more classes and that they are determined solely and exclusively by age. Millie's class will be the 'spring fairies' carrying water-pots.

The bunnies are still super-super cute. Millie is becoming quite chummy with a classmate, Samira. And even better friends with the four bunnies.

I think for the target audience--young girls in lower elementary school--this one is cute enough and has plenty of appeal.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

8. Ballet Bunnies #1 The New Class

The New Class (Ballet Bunnies #1) Swapna Reddy. Illustrated by Binny Talib. 2021. 96 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: Millie had been dreaming of going to Miss Luisa's School of Dance for months now. So on her sixth birthday, when Mom surprised her with ballet lessons as a gift, she screamed so loudly with joy that she woke up the neighbor's dog.

Premise/plot: Millie loves, loves, loves the idea of learning ballet. But when she starts her lessons, she finds it disappointing and frustrating. She is the ONLY ONE in her class that is a brand-new beginner to ballet. Every other person in the class has been dancing ballet for years--or years and years and years--as the case may be. How can she be anything other than discouraged when she's so very far behind and out of her league. It doesn't help that a few of the students are less than thrilled that someone with no skills/few skills is now in their class and being partnered with them. Of course, one of the girls is just a BULLY pure and simple to anyone and everyone.

What makes Millie consider sticking with ballet is her discovery of the BALLET BUNNIES. Dolly, Fifi, Pod, and Trixie are BUNNIES that live at the dance studio. They help Millie out by a) being her friend b) encouraging her to stick with it and c) teaching her some ballet.

My thoughts: This is the first in a new series. I thought the bunnies were all kinds of adorable. I'm sure the idea of BUNNIES in tutus will add to the appeal. The book screams out read me, read me, read me with a certain audience. (The only thing that might add to the appeal is if there were unicorns too.)

I find it odd that Miss Luisa's School of Dance only has one ballet class and that ALL students regardless of their skills, abilities, and age would be thrown together in one class with one teacher. That hardly seems fair to any of the students. It would surely prove frustrating to the teacher and to all the students as well.

 

© 2022 Becky Laney of Young Readers

182. Charlotte and the Nutcracker

Charlotte and the Nutcracker. Charlotte Nebres.WITH SARAH WARREN. 2021. 40 pages. [Source: Review copy]

First sentence: It isn't quite Christmas--not yet. But Charlotte gets the best gift she can imagine: her first ballet class.

Premise/plot: Charlotte and the Nutcracker is a new picture book based on the true story of Charlotte Nebres, the first Black girl to play the role of Marie in New York City's production of George Balanchine's The Nutcracker. The book focuses on the many, many years of hard work and dedicated practice that went into her being chosen to play Marie. 

The book provides with a (small) behind-the-scenes glimpse of the production of The Nutcracker. If you are looking for a book that retells the story of the ballet, this is not that book. This book doesn't focus so much on the plot of the story of The Nutcracker as it seeks to capture what it is like for a young dancer to be a part of this 'magical' stage production--the stuff of dreams.

My thoughts: I love, love, love The Nutcracker. To be honest George Balanchine's The Nutcracker is not my favorite Nutcracker. I really enjoyed watching Charlotte's story [among others] in the documentary series On Pointe. (The picture book did not provide a better behind the scenes glimpse than the series. But there are plenty of people who have not seen and will not get a chance to see On Pointe.) I liked this picture book. 

 

© 2021 Becky Laney of Young Readers

The Nutcracker

The Nutcracker. New York City Ballet. Valeria Docampo (illustrator). 2016. 40 pages. [Source: Library]

 First sentence: It was Christmas Eve at the Stahlbaums' house, and like children everywhere, Marie and Fritz were so excited that they could feel their toes tingle. Their parents were decorating the Christmas tree before the big holiday party, and Marie and Fritz were not allowed into the great room until it was done. They jostled each other to sneak a peek at the glittering tree through the keyhole.

Premise/plot: This is a picture book adaptation of the BALLET,  George Balanchine's The Nutcracker. The book concludes with some "Fun Facts" about the ballet.

My thoughts: I love, love, love the music of The Nutcracker. I would happily--do happily--listen to it throughout the year. It has never been just "holiday" music to me. This picture book puts into words the story of the Nutcracker ballet. I would definitely recommend sharing this story--or another like it--with little ones before taking them to see the ballet. I think knowing the story--how everything fits together and flows--is essential to enjoying the experience of seeing The Nutcracker live.

This picture book has wonderful illustrations. The illustrations alone make it worthy of checking out of the library.

Word of warning: There were TWO picture book adaptations of The Nutcracker published in 2016 featuring illustrations by Valeria Docampo. This one is specifically tied to the George Balanchine production of The Nutcracker. The other is less specific, more general adaptation of the story. 





Text: 4 out of 5
Illustrations: 5 out of 5
Total: 9 out of 10

© 2017 Becky Laney of Young Readers

The Nutcracker

The Nutcracker: From The Story by E.T.A. Hoffmann. Illustrated by Valeria Docampo. 2016. 32 pages. [Source: Library]

First sentence: It was Christmas Eve and the snow was gently falling. Clara and her brother Fritz were very excited. That night there would be a magnificent party with music and dancing, as well as lots of fantastic presents!

Premise/plots: This is a picture book adaptation of The Nutcracker.

My thoughts: I love, love, love the music of The Nutcracker. I would happily--do happily--listen to it throughout the year. It has never been just "holiday" music to me. This picture book puts into words the story of the Nutcracker ballet. I would definitely recommend sharing this story--or another like it--with little ones before taking them to see the ballet. I think knowing the story--how everything fits together and flows--is essential to enjoying the experience of seeing The Nutcracker live.

This picture book has wonderful illustrations. The illustrations alone make it worthy of checking out of the library.

Text: 4 out of 5
Illustrations: 5 out of 5
Total: 9 out of 10

© 2017 Becky Laney of Young Readers

Dogs Don't Do Ballet

Dogs Don't Do Ballet. Anna Kemp. Illustrated by Sara Ogilvie. 2010. June 2010. Simon & Schuster. 32 pages.

My dog is not like other dogs. He doesn't do dog stuff like weeing on fire hydrants, or scratching his fleas, or drinking out of the toilet. If I throw him a stick, he looks at me like I'm crazy. So I have to fetch it myself. No, my dog likes music and moonlight and walking on his tiptoes.

I loved this book. I just loved it. It's got an adorable dog who thinks he's a ballet dancer. It's got an adorable heroine who loves her dog and loves ballet too. A little girl who can't quite convince her parents that her dog is special. It's a cute story, a fun story. I found it irresistible.


I loved the illustrations. I thought they were practically perfect. I thought they complemented the text well. And I think they definitely add to the charm!

Recommended for those that love dogs. Recommended for those that love dance.

© Becky Laney of Young Readers

The Newest Dancer

Ormerod, Jan. 2008. Ballet Sisters: The Newest Dancer.

Bonnie and Sylvie are back for their second adventure in The Newest Dancer. This is a fun and playful early reader that is just right for young ballet enthusiasts. It's delightful. Just a real treat to read. The book has three chapters or three adventures, "Ballet Day," "The Not Birthday," "The Newest Dancer." Sylvie, for those that haven't read The Duckling and the Swan--the first in the series--is the younger sister. She's always copying her older sister. Wanting to be just like her big sister. This includes dancing like her big sister. In The Newest Dancer, Sylvie gets her chance to really be like her big sister by joining a ballet class all her own. I loved this book, and I can't recommend it highly enough!

32 pages.

The Duckling and the Swan

Ormerod, Jan. 2007. Ballet Sisters: The Duckling and the Swan.

I loved this book. It's an early reader that is just right for young readers. The first book in this series is "The Duckling and the Swan." It focuses on a pair of sisters--one older, Bonnie, one younger, Sylvie--who loves all things ballet. The book is broken into three chapters, or three adventures: "Ducky Dancer," "Braids," and "Miss Trish's Class." The book is delightful, charming, and just pure fun.

Ducky Dancer

Mom and Sylvie
get me from school.
"I am a swan," I say.
"And you are a duckling."
"I'm a ducky," Sylvie says.
At home, Sylvie
and I dress up.
Then we dance.
"I'm a princess," I say.
"You must bow to me."
"Okay," Sylvie says.
We dance into the garden.
"I'm a fairy queen," I say.
"And you are an elf."
Sylvie cries, "I dont want
to be an elf."
Mom sweeps Sylvie up
and carries her
from flower to flower.
"Sylvie is a buzzing bee,"
says Mom.
Then I am a swan again.
And Sylvie is a duckling.
She waddles.
She flaps her wings.
She takes a bow.

This one is a must if your little ones love dancing and playing make believe. It's just a real joy to read. The illustrations are perfect.

32 pages.