You Can Be a Ballerina/You Can Be a Gymnast

PreS-Gr 1–This series gives two stories in one book. In each story, Malibu Barbie and her friend Brooklyn join a group of other diverse Barbies as they learn the basic skills of different jobs and roles. In You Can Be a Ballerina, Malibu and Brooklyn love to dance and dream of becoming ballerinas one day. Together they practice their ballet skills and help each other live out their dreams by joining a ballet company’s performance. In You Can Be a Gymnast, Malibu and Brooklyn get ready for a big gymnastic meet. As farmers and horse riders, the Barbies learn the important responsibilities, such as driving a tractor and milking a cow, that come with each job. They also learn the need to prioritize the animals under their care. Each title features an empowering message of perseverance as the Barbies help one another learn from their mistakes. All main characters are women who use enthusiastic encouragement as the Barbies try out their new roles. The stories use simple vocabulary, basic sentences, and formulaic plot lines to help independent young readers gain more confidence in their reading skills. Illustrations are vibrant and inviting as expected for the Barbie brand and include some thoughtful touches, such as red, white, and blue uniforms, which allude to the U.S. gymnastic team.