There is something about that perfect shade of ballet pink that makes me happy. It reminds me of the years I spent in dance class as a kid. I loved it! When I was searching for books to put in this list, it made me really happy to find a level of diversity that I might not have found five years ago. I'm especially excited about the picture book biography of ballet super-star, Misty Copeland. I'm so glad kids can read about the barriers she has busted down!
one of our favorite new books: dance is for everyone by andrea zuill
Do you have a little ballerina in your life? One that lives in her tutu and leotard even when it isn't a dance lesson day? Do you know a child, especially a little boy, that thinks that they can't dance or don't belong in a ballet class? You need to read Dance is For Everyone by Andrea Zuill.
This story is about what happens when a 450 pound alligator shows up in a ballet class one day and wants to learn to dance. At first, the students and teacher don't know what to think or do. They'd never had such a different type of student in their dance school before. The alligator, later named Tanya, is so enthusiastic about ballet and so happy to dance that everyone overlooks their differences and looks for ways to work together to put on the best ballet show ever!
We loved everything about this book. The story is really funny. (Have you ever seen an alligator try to do a ballet twirl?) I love the message of inclusiveness and acceptance, especially at the end, when instead of changing the alligator to fit in with the class, the class learns to find a place for Tanya's strengths.
Andrea Zuill's illustration style is so charming and adds so much character and humor to the story. This is Andrea's second children's book. If you want to learn more about the author and her books, check out her website here.
summer fun at the SCBWI conference in LA!
This summer, my family and I did something CRAZY. Crazy, I tell you. We loaded up in our car, waved goodbye to our family and friends, and completed a thirty one hour road trip across the southwest US. You read that right. Thirty one hours of "I Spy", spilled snacks in the back seat, sibling squabbles, and songs on the radio. Our stuffed-to-the-max car started its journey in our hometown, Memphis, TN, and made stops in Sedona Arizona to see the giant, almost Martian red rock formations, Monterey in California to watch sea otters relaxing in kelp beds, and Los Angeles for my husband and kids to ride bikes along Venice Beach and for me to attend my very first conference for writers and illustrators of children's books hosted by the SCBWI organization. I learned so much about what it means to be a children's author, and I also got to meet some amazingly talented new authors to share with you! I also got to be in the same room as the legendary Judy Blume!!! She was interviewed by the conference chair. See proof below.
Here are a few of the books I took back home with me from the conference. I'm loving them right now.
Dance is For Everyone by Andrea Zuill
In this book, anyone and everyone can learn to dance ballet, little bodies, big bodies, tall bodies, short bodies, brown bodies, white bodies, boy bodies, girl bodies, even a giant (and maybe a tad bit clumsy) alligator body. I loved this book from the moment I saw it because the alligator is so adorable! I love, love the author's illustration style. I was also drawn to this book because of the inclusion of boys in the ballet classroom in the book and the book's theme of inclusion when it comes to whether or not ballet is a "girl sport". I've mentioned before how my four year old boy is really interested in taking a dance class but has on several occasions told me that he can't take one because "ballet is for girls only". Well, that simply not true! Boys can dance ballet too. I love that this book shows little boys and little girls that as the title says, dance is for everyone.
Eat Sleep Poop by Alexandra Penfold and Jane Massey
Are you in the process of prepping your child for the arrival of a new baby brother or sister? This is the book for you! When my second child was born, my first born son was kind of disappointed by him at first. Babies don't do anything besides eat, sleep, and poop, and he was expecting someone to play soccer with in the front yard. This bright and happy little book is funny and sweet and would be a great way to prep older siblings on what to expect when baby comes home!
Here is a picture of me fan-girling out when I met fabulous illustrator, Leuyen Pham! My son loves her work in The Boy Who Loved Math, and I love her for her work in Vampirina Ballerina.
grace, diversity, talent: a book about ballerina misty copeland and make your own misty the ballerina!
"I was a dancer just like you, a dreaming shooting star of a girl, with work and worlds ahead."
Misty Copeland, the first African-American ballerina to be promoted to principal dancer in the American Ballet Theater, is an amazingly talented woman! She has danced in classic roles like Clara in The Nutcracker, and now she has written a picture book encouraging young ballet dancers to follow their dreams. The book is called Firebird, and it's awesome!
The book follows a young girl who dreams of being a professional ballerina but doesn't believe she will ever get there. In a dream-like narrative, Misty talks to the young girl and shows her what it took for Misty to achieve greatness. She shows her how hard work and determination pay off.
To honor Misty Copeland, we have created our own Misty the Ballerina to dance around the house after we read the story!
Here's what you need to make your very own Misty:
popsicle sticks
brown paint or marker
black marker
red construction paper
red cupcake liner
glue or tape
Step one: color the popsicle stick to match Misty's skin tone with brown paint or marker. Give her a face with hair, eyes and a smile.
Step two: make the tutu skirt by folding the red cupcake liner in half and then cutting the flat part of the liner off.
Step three: Cut a bodice out of red construction paper.
Step four: tape or glue the bodice and tutu skirt onto the popsicle stick. Play some classical music and let Misty the ballerina twirl around!
