BALLET IS FOR BOYS AND GIRLS! Two fun picture books about the joy of dancing.
ABOUT THE BOOK
The New York Times bestselling team behind Parker Looks Up returns with an uplifting story about Parker making a new friend and learning about self-expression, opening your heart, and helping others.
Parker Curry loves being a big sister. She gets to play dress-up with her little sister, Ava, and piano with her baby brother, Cash. And Parker loves to dance, twirling and leaping and spinning in joy.
But when a dancer joins her class and needs her help, Parker wonders if she has what it takes to be not only a real dancer, but a real friend.
This inspirational picture book has an afterword by prima ballerina and New York Times bestselling author Misty Copeland.
REVIEW
In this follow-up to the Currys' Parker Looks Up, young Parker demonstrates grace under pressure as she struggles to prepare for her ballet recital. While she loves dancing and playing with her brother and sister, she is determined to learn her part for the upcoming recital. This leads her push them away so she can practice. When the time comes to perform, Parker is ready, but her friend Mira, who is dancing the solo, gets stage fright. Parker's confidence in her preparation helps both girls get out on that stage. This fun book has many elements that help it stand out. It's about a popular topic: dancing. The illustrations are absolutely adorable and shine with life and light. All in all a sweet book that young dancers especially be able to appreciate.
ABOUT THE BOOK
A young Black boy dreams of dancing in this exuberant, buoyant picture book celebrating the beauty of dance, and the wonder of Black Boy Joy—perfect for fans of Firebird and Crown!
Langston likes basketball okay, but what he loves is to dance—ever since he saw the Alvin Ailey Dance Company perform. He longs to twirl into a pirouette, whirl into a piqué. He wants to arabesque and attitude, grand battement and grand jeté. When he walks, the whole street is his stage.
With his neighborhood cheering him on, will Langston achieve his dream?
REVIEW
The lovely cover of Kaija Langley's When Langston Dances creates a powerful image of a young black boy performing a ballet move in his basketball uniform. I was thrilled to come across this book about a young boy who falls in love with ballet. I know of a number of titles with girls interested in ballet but this is the first one I've come across where the main character is a boy. The images of Langston performing his ballet moves in his sneakers and basketball uniform just make me smile. Langston like basketball after all, but after attending a performance of the Alvin Ailey Dance Company, he falls in love with ballet. He practices and practices until finally he feels ready for his first day at school. The delightful images that Mallett creates show Langston dancing and twirling down the street on his way to school. And even being made fun of by someone else doesn't dampen his enthusiasm. He doesn't hesitate a bit when he walks into a ballet classroom full of girls, he just joins right in. The joy that Langston feels in fulling his dream just radiates off the page in Mallett's luminous illustrations. A wonderful reminder that dreams come in all shapes and sizes.
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