Tallulah is convinced that there is only one thing standing between her and ballet stardom: She doesn't have a tutu. Her obsession with dance continues even after she quits a class in tutu-less humiliation. Everywhere she looks she sees perfect arabesques and pliés. Eventually, Marilyn Singer's story about a future prima ballerina ends with a graceful lift and turn.
"This endearing story teaches children the value of earning something and that the joy of the journey can be just as sweet as the reward....The muted, rosy illustrations create a soft mood and complement the tone of the story beautifully."—School Library Journal
"Without preaching, [Marilyn Singer and Alexandra Boiger] score some important points about the value of patience, persistence, and the pursuit of perfection."—Publishers Weekly
"A nice addition to the recently growing collection of ballet-themed books." —Booklist
"The glittery pink cover and endpaper spreads of the five ballet positions are appealing, and Singer weaves the language of ballet throughout her story."—Kirkus Reviews
Young Tallulah knows she can be "a great ballerina—if only she had a tutu." She works hard in ballet class, which her mother tells her is also necessary, but her teacher rewards her with hugs—not a tutu. Tallulah decides that the tutu must be coming from Paris but is stuck in traffic in New Jersey. Several classes later the tutu still has not arrived, so Tallulah throws a tutu temper tantrum and quits. She does keep dancing in the street, in the park and in the supermarket. There, an encounter with a tutu-clad young girl who cannot dance turns the tables and Tallulah sees the light. She will take class and, in time, earn her tutu. The setting is an upscale New York City neighborhood artfully depicted in the watercolor illustrations. Tallulah's little brother, who loves to dance, and an adorable dog provide some comic relief. The glittery pink cover and endpaper spreads of the five ballet positions are appealing, and Singer weaves the language of ballet throughout her story. Unfortunately, the behavioral issues are too easily resolved, leaving readers to believe that earning a tutu really doesn't take all that much more application than Tallulah has already shown. An additional purchase.(Picture book. 3-6)
Overview
Tallulah just knew she could be a great ballerina, if only she had a tutu. So she starts ballet class. When she does not receive a tutu, she quits. But everywhere she goes, things keep reminding her of ballet. Her neighbor’s basset hound always stands in second position. The kitchen clock performs perfect ronds de jambe. And Tallulah can’t seem to stop doing ballet, either. A park bench makes a perfect barre, and what better way to pet the dog than with a graceful plié? This well-told, funny story with a smart ...