Confidence goes a long way, and so does practice — but the support of a loving family and community matters even more in this winsome tale of dancing your way into your own unique talents.
Tessie has taken ballet for a whole month and thinks she has it down. If it weren’t for her big sister, Maya, who seems to own the spotlight, Tessie would dazzle the whole class. But when Maya lands the lead — and the coveted princess crown — in the fall recital, not even freestyle dancing can fully rescue Tessie’s spirits. But maybe they each have something to teach and the spotlight is big enough for two?
Jaime Kim’s author-illustrator debut captures the shifting emotions of competition, sisterhood, and joy in movement with warmth, charm, and a delicious candy-bright palette. This is an exuberant and relatable picture book about sibling rivalry, ballet, and finding your free-form self.
"When Maya scores the lead and Tessie is cast as a bumblebee, she is angry at Maya and at the unfairness of the situation. With tenderness and sisterly love, Maya reminds Tessie, 'You don’t need a crown to be a good dancer.' She then helps Tessie with her bumblebee dance while Tessie teaches her freestyle moves. In the end, it turns out that the spotlight can be shared and enjoyed by siblings.... An adorable exploration of jealousy without a heavy hand." — Kirkus Reviews
Recommended Age | 3 - 7 |
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Author | Jaime Kim |
Illustrator | Jaime Kim |
ISBN | 1536205184 |
Publication Date | Jan 25, 2022 |
Publisher | Candlewick |
Language | English |