Ballerina Swan

Sophie the swan tries to join a class of young ballet dancers but is shooed away. Later, a more open-minded teacher welcomes her to class; eventually Sophie earns a part in Swan Lake. McCully captures Sophie's yearning to dance in ballerina Kent's satisfying success story. Readers will appreciate the tale's acknowledgment that while some things come easily to Sophie, others do not.

Celebrated ballerina Kent tells a satisfying success story of a most unlikely dancer. From her city pond, Sophie the swan watches a class of young ballet dancers in a nearby studio and, mesmerized, makes a (short-lived) attempt to join them. Shooed away by stern-faced Madam Myrtle, Sophie tries again another day when a "younger and way jollier" teacher takes over the class. Welcomed, Sophie works hard to improve and her practicing is rewarded when she earns a part in a performance of -- what else? -- Swan Lake. While there are some contrivances involved in keeping the story going, McCully captures Sophie’s yearning to dance and makes the most of both the comedic possibilities of a swan doing ballet (turnout is tricky with webbed feet) and the completely expected grace of a swan’s lofty grand jeté. Readers will appreciate the story’s acknowledgment that while some things come easily to Sophie, others do not; it’s a good reminder for all young learners, dancers or not. jennifer m. brabander