Synopses & Reviews
Tallulah just knows she could be a great ballerina--if only she had a tutu. She signs up for ballet class with great anticipation, only to be disappointed when tutus aren't handed out. When she learns that one must
earn a tutu in dance class, she quits in a huff. But everywhere Tallulah goes, things keep reminding her of ballet. Her neighbor's basset hound always stands in second position, and Tallulah always does a plie when patting him. And she can't pass a store window without doing a beautiful finish, or hear music over the grocery store intercom without performing. In the end, Tallulah returns to dance lessons because she can't stay away, and, after working hard all year . . . she gets
her tutu.
Review
“An infectiously rhyming text not a little reminiscent of Madeline….Author and illustrator have teamed up for a lovely story about friendship, ballet and grouping numbers. Daveniers colorful illustrations are filled with humor, movement and lovely shades of pink…young readers, budding ballerinas or not, will enjoy the details of the ballet studio and the joie de vivre of the nine young ladies.” -- Kirkus Reviews"...the book is a charmer." -- Publishers Weekly
Review
Praise for Miss Lina's Ballerinas:
“An infectiously rhyming text not a little reminiscent of Madeline.…Author and illustrator have teamed up for a lovely story about friendship, ballet and grouping numbers. Daveniers colorful illustrations are filled with humor, movement and lovely shades of pink…young readers, budding ballerinas or not, will enjoy the details of the ballet studio and the joie de vivre of the nine young ladies.” —Kirkus Reviews
"...the book is a charmer." —Publishers Weekly
“The children are full of movement and expression, and the setting has a Parisian feel. Reminiscent of Ludwig Bemelmans's Madeline, this will be a crowd pleaser with aspiring ballerinas and also makes a great introduction to a math lesson on number groupings.” —School Library Journal
“French illustrator Davenier (one of the New York Times' Ten Best illustrators for 2002) keeps the little girls exuberantly dancing in class, through math lessons, in the park, at the zoo, and at the beach. Her ink, watercolor and colored pencil drawings are lively, detailed, and witty; readers may enjoy tracking the shades of pink from pale to potent in fashions for nightgowns, bathing suits, school dresses, and shopping outfits—as well as tutus. (They can also note that the new classmate wears hot pink leg warmers, as do all the others when they finally accept her.) Maccarone's agile rhyming text dances along, too, making good use of the nine musical names Christina, Edwina, Sabrina, Justina, Katrina, Bettina, Marina, Nina, and new friend, Regina. Girls who love dance will likely find this story of immersion in ballet, making friends, and learning to adapt, most appealing. ” —Childrens Literature
Synopsis
In four rows of two, Miss Linas eight ballerinas—Christina, Edwina, Sabrina, Justina, Katrina, Bettina, Marina, and Nina—dance to the park, at the zoo, and even while doing their schoolwork. They are one perfect act, but when Miss Lina introduces Regina, a new girl, the group of nines steps become a mess.
Synopsis
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 neighbors basset hound always stands in second position. The kitchen clock performs perfect ronds de jambe. And Tallulah cant 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 new character will satisfy girls cravings for pretty and pink, but also shows that ballet is about more than just the tutu.
About the Author
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 neighborand#8217;s basset hound always stands in second position. The kitchen clock performs perfect
ronds de jambe. And Tallulah canand#8217;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
pliand#233;? This well-told, funny story with a smart new character will satisfy girlsand#8217; cravings for pretty and pink, but also shows that ballet is about more than just the tutu. "But without preaching,and#160; [Marilyn Singer and Alexandra Boiger] score some important points about the value of patience, persistence, and the pursuit of perfection."and#8212;
Publishers Weekly"Even children who don't share Tallulah's ballet dreams may long for such an idyllic world." and#8212;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."and#8212;Kirkus Reviews
"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."and#8212;School Library Journal
For Marilyn Singer City Lullaby
and#8226;Time Magazine's Top Ten Books of the Year
and#8226;Parents' Choice Award
and#8226;Kansas State Reading Circle Recommended Reading Listand#160;
"Singer smartly leans on dynamic action verbs and delayed rhymes to convey New York's electricity, piling up the onomatopoeic sounds in a way that rewards reading aloud . . . a love song to the city."
and#8212;The New York Times Book Review
"A good time for all, especially those under four." and#8212;TimeMagazine
Mirror Mirror: A Book of Reversible Verse
"Singer uses 'reverso"'poems, a form of her creation, to show that there are two sides to every fairy tale (the poems can be read backward and forward)."and#8212;Publishers Weekly,starred review
"A marvel to read . . . A remarkable clever and versatile book."and#8212;School Library Journal,starred reviewand#160;
"A visual and verbal feast." and#8212;Booklist,starred reviewand#160;
" Through a poetic invention she dubs the reverso, Singer meditates on twelve familiar folktales. " and#8212;Horn Book Magazine,starred reviewand#160;
"A mesmerizing and seamless celebration of language, imagery and perspective."and#8212;Kirkus Reviews,starred review
for Alexandra Boiger Thanks a LOT, Emily Post!
and#8226;Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award "A nicely designed, refreshingly offbeat view of etiquette." and#8212;Booklist,starred review
While Mama Had a Quick Little Chat
and#8226;Beehive Award Master List (Utah)
and#8226;Kansas State Reading Circle Primary Title
and#8226;Parents' Choice Award
and#8226;A JLG Selection
and#8226;Book Sense Pick
"Boiger illustrates the burgeoning chaos with a wispy, whimsical elegance reminiscent of Hilary Knight's art, placing a very small, tousled redhead in gracious, upper-crust surroundings, and adorning the array of partyers in Depression-era evening garb."and#8212;Kirkus Reviews
"Newcomer Boiger fluidly conveys both the heroine's frazzled feelings and her can-do attitude. The fashions and accessories, such as the party guests' attire and Mama's phone, have a 1920s feel; Rose's home, a quaint Victorian row house, seems to expand inside to accommodate the gala festivities in full-bleed spreads." and#8212;Publishers Weekly
Dr. All-Knowing
and#8226;Parents' Choice AwardMarilyn Singer is the prolific author of a wide range of books for children, includingCity Lullaby,which was called "a love song to the city" in theNew York Times Book Reviewand was one ofTime Magazine's Top Ten Children's Books of the Year. Her recentMirror, Mirror(Dutton) has received multiple starred reviews and hit thePWbestseller list.Marilyn is a highly active promoter of her books and lives in Brooklyn, New York. www.marilynsinger.net