2022-06-03
Ballas and Orlovsky’s illustrated children’s book offers an insider’s peek into the dancing world as youngsters leave their families to live, learn, and train with champions.
Chloe, a talented, 10-year-old Canadian dancer, goes from Toronto to London, England, to be taught by “champion dancers” Mr. and Mrs. Spin. Her 12-year-old brother, George, is already a student there. Readers join Chloe as she rides to the dance studio in a taxi: “Chloe’s heart was beating so loud and she could feel butterflies dancing in her tummy.” However, once she arrives, she’s surprised by the old, unglamorous building that houses the studio. Then Mr. Spin asks her to dance a cha-cha with his son, Alex, who’s her age but a much better dancer than she is. This shakes her confidence, and she runs off to the dressing room; George finds Chloe in tears and gives her a pep talk. Several elements make this children’s book notable, including Estrada’s colorful, painterly illustrations, which are bright and sparkle with light that gleams off various surfaces. They support the events of the text well and highlight the glamour of dance. The lively typeface also adds to the story’s dancelike flow. At the end, Estrada also clearly draws the steps of the cha-cha, which will allow readers to perform it themselves. Orlovsky and Ballas, both professional dancers, draw upon their skills to make this story authentic. Young dancers, in particular, will find it delightful, and it may inspire them in their own personal goals. Throughout, the story’s message that hard work pays off is clear.
A realistic and well-illustrated dance tale for young readers.
