Tallulah's Tutu

PreS-Gr 2—Tallulah loves to dance and desperately wants a tutu, so when she begins her ballet class, she is disappointed to find that she must wear a leotard. Each time, she waits full of expectation and confidence, hoping this will be the session when she receives her tutu. Her teacher explains that she must be patient and work hard to earn it. After a temper tantrum, Tallulah decides she no longer wants to work so hard and gives up ballet. Then one day, she hears familiar music in the supermarket and cannot stop herself from dancing. Tallulah decides she wants to dance whether or not she has a tutu. 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 book is full of rich vocabulary as young readers learn about pliés, relevés, and tendus. The muted, rosy illustrations create a soft mood and complement the tone of the story beautifully. Fans of Jane O'Connor's "Fancy Nancy" series (HarperCollins) will love Tallulah's tenacity and vivaciousness.—Kris Hickey, Columbus Metropolitan Library, OH