Product Description
In a gentle introduction to ballet, a little boy and his friends gather for their dance class to learn some moves—and get excited about their debut performance.
Stretchy leggings on? Ballet shoes in the bag? Let’s go! Join Thomas and his fellow dancers as they’re welcomed into the studio for their Saturday ballet class. There are feet positions to perfect and steps to learn—first position, plie, up on your toes, relevé—and turns and jumps, too. Everyone is getting ready for their first performance, The Nutcracker—and now it’s time to pick out costumes!This warm celebration of dancing, a companion to Holly Sterling’s Karate Kids, is inspired by the author’s time learning ballet as a young child. It’s sure to be a hit with little ones taking a class, free-form dancers at home, and those who are hoping to be a ballet kid one day, too.
From School Library Journal
PreS-K-"I'm Thomas, and I want to be a ballet kid." It is wintertime, and Thomas is getting ready for ballet class. He gets bundled up and traverses through the snow to the studio where he is greeted by an assortment of students as well as a white male ballet teacher. The class practices traditional positions and steps, which are clearly defined in child-friendly terms. Then they transition into creative movement where they can move their bodies as they please. While the practice uniforms are gender-prescribed, the students can to choose their own costumes for the Nutcracker-themed recital. Thomas selects the sparkly purple tutu of the Sugar Plum Fairy. He expresses slight trepidation about the public performance, but the rest of Thomas's ballet experience, including the recital, is purely joyful. The students encourage and compliment one another throughout the class, and there is none of the nervousness, teasing, or discomfort that often accompanies a story about a boy attending ballet class. Sterling's story shares elements with the "Lola and Leo" series by Anna McQuinn. The straightforward tone is clear without being plain, with descriptions that are relatable to a young child: "My feet feel so light and snug." The children are illustrated simply, with dots for eyes, rosy cheeks, round heads, and smiling faces. Thomas and his sister have brown skin and black hair, like one of their two moms; the other is white. VERDICT An easygoing, refreshingly natural addition to the ballet bookshelf.-Clara Hendricksα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review
A group of young children find friendship and utter joy in the world of ballet. . . . Seamlessly interwoven illustrations depict a cozy, warm setting where Mr. Elliot and the children offer encouragement and compliments. . . . A tale of unquestioning support and acceptance that will buoy readers, especially aspiring dancers.
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
Thomas, who wants to 'be a ballet kid,' narrates this cheerful introduction to ballet class for the very young. . . . a gentle story around the spirit of finding fun in dance.
—Publishers Weekly
Students encourage and compliment one another throughout the class, and there is none of the nervousness, teasing, or discomfort that often accompanies a story about a boy attending ballet class. . . An easygoing, refreshingly natural addition to the ballet bookshelf.
—School Library Journal
About the Author
Holly Sterling is the author-illustrator of Karate Kids and Hiccups! and the illustrator of the 15 Things Not to Do with a . . . series by Margaret McAllister and the Everybody Feels series by Moira Butterfield. An instructor of illustration and design at the University of Sunderland, Holly Sterling lives in England.
