
Bella Ballerina
Sharon M. Draper(Author)
Atheneum (Publisher)
Published on 24. October 2024
Book
Hardback
40 pages
978-1-5344-6396-7 (ISBN)
Description
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Sharon M. Draper comes a debut picture book about a timid little ballerina who learns that the show must go on-and will-with a little help from her friends.
Bella loves ballet class and listens hard to the music so she can tippy-toe turn, point, and plie in perfect time. When Madame announces a recital, Bella is determined to do her best. But when she tries to stretch up to leap lightly like a cloud, she wobbles and almost topples-luckily, a friend catches her.
Now, Bella's nervous; maybe she can't do this like she thought she could. On recital day, when the curtain goes up and the dancers get in position, Bella freezes. Can she find her courage in time to take the stage?
Bella loves ballet class and listens hard to the music so she can tippy-toe turn, point, and plie in perfect time. When Madame announces a recital, Bella is determined to do her best. But when she tries to stretch up to leap lightly like a cloud, she wobbles and almost topples-luckily, a friend catches her.
Now, Bella's nervous; maybe she can't do this like she thought she could. On recital day, when the curtain goes up and the dancers get in position, Bella freezes. Can she find her courage in time to take the stage?
Reviews / Votes
With digital illustrations sparkling with stars, set against pink, yellow, and blue backgrounds, the pages are cheery, like a trip to a candy store. Keeping the energy levels high, Glenn depicts the characters' swirls and twirls. [...] Readers will appreciate this gentle tale that emphasizes the importance of helping a friend in need. Told in chirpy rhyming verse, the simple narrative would be a good read-aloud. Portraying dancers of various ethnicities, with Black adults as teachers, this title also offers a refreshingly inclusive depiction of ballet. A gracefully illustrated, uplifting story for young balletomanes. -- Kirkus Reviews * 9/15/2024 * A cast of children portrayed with various skin tones takes the stage in this kindness-centered collaboration set in a dance class, where "tippy-toe tutu,/ tippy toe twirl,/ Bella Ballerina/ loves to spin and whirl." As the brown-skinned child learns new vocabulary and skills, occasional wobbles result in classmates steadying her or helping her up. When a big show places Bella in front of a crowd, prompting her to linger anxiously in the wings, another friend's need creates an opportunity for her to jete to the rescue. -- Publishers Weekly * 9/23/2024 *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Publishing group
Simon & Schuster
Target group
Children/juvenile
US School Grade: From Preschool to Second Grade, Interest Age: From 4 to 8 years
Product notice
Picture book
Illustrations
f-c jkt (coated; fx: spot gloss, emboss, foil; matte film)+POB case (diff art)+int. (coated); digital
Dimensions
Height: 267 mm
Width: 262 mm
Thickness: 12 mm
Weight
450 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-5344-6396-7 (9781534463967)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Sharon M. Draper
Bella Ballerina
E-Book
10/2024
Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books
€10.87
Available for download
Persons
Sharon M. Draper is the New York Times bestselling author of Out of My Mind, Blended, and Out of My Heart. She's won Coretta Scott King Awards for Copper Sun and Forged by Fire and multiple honors. She's also the recipient of the Margaret A. Edwards Award honoring her significant and lasting contribution to writing for teens. Sharon taught high school English for twenty-five years and was named National Teacher of the Year. She lives in Florida. Visit her at SharonDraper.com.
Ebony Glenn is a children's book illustrator whose whimsical and expressive imagery can be found in Mommy's Khimar and Brave Ballerina: The Story of Janet Collins, among others. Passionate for the arts and great storytelling, she lives in the outskirts of Atlanta with her family.
Ebony Glenn is a children's book illustrator whose whimsical and expressive imagery can be found in Mommy's Khimar and Brave Ballerina: The Story of Janet Collins, among others. Passionate for the arts and great storytelling, she lives in the outskirts of Atlanta with her family.