School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2-Young Rosie loves dance. She points, leaps, and twirls through daily activities, wearing a tutu wherever she goes. But when she starts ballet school, her unshakable belief that she's destined to be a prima ballerina develops a quaver or two. For readers with similar aspirations, this picture book has some attractions. Goode's delicate brush, pen-and-ink, and pastel illustrations have a Disney-esque charm. Balletic poses abound, energized by swirls of color to indicate motion. But the repetitive white background with small figures would benefit from more artistic variety and emotional oomph, and so would the story. Rosie talks about, practices, and worries about her dancing. Apart from a few pictures of her wearing a pink tutu as she plays baseball, climbs trees, or stands on the diving board, readers learn little about her. When dancing school leaves her discouraged, a deus ex machina emerges from an unlikely source and pronounces a moral message that's not only facile but also contradictory. With an abundance of satisfying ballet books in print, including Marilyn Singer's Tallulah's Tutu (Clarion, 2011) and James Mayhew's "Ella Bella Ballerina" stories (Barron's), this is only for the most enthusiastic readers and dancers.-Susan Weitz, formerly at Spencer-Van Etten School District, Spencer, NY (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Publisher's Weekly Review
Ferguson (the Little Red series) introduces a vivacious aspiring dancer in this mild, somewhat pat story. Goode's (the Louise the Big Cheese books) sprightly, wispy art is a show stealer, however, conveying Rosie's personality with ease and humor. Rendered in mixed media and set against a white backdrop, the illustrations consist primarily of spare images of Rosie in constant motion-sliding down a banister (with her toes pointed, of course) and exuberantly dancing with her stuffed bear. Determined to be a prima ballerina, Rosie wears her tutu all the time, even while playing soccer and climbing trees. But when her mother decides it's time for ballet school, Rosie has a tough time keeping up with her more graceful classmates, and her missteps are amusingly portrayed. Rosie is discouraged until a new pair of ballet shoes gives her the boost she needs. Although Madame Natalie tells Rosie that "practice and confidence" are responsible for her rapid turnaround in class, readers are still left with the disappointing message that it's all about the shoes. Ages 4-8. Agent: Faith Hamlin, Sanford J. Green-burger Associates. Illustrator's agent: Steven Malk, Writers House. (Aug.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.