January 11, 2016
Kent (Ballerina Swan), who danced with the New York City Ballet for more than 30 years, follows a ballerina as she prepares for an evening performance. Iris, who Stock (Ready and Waiting for You) portrays as a lanky young woman with a bushel of curly red hair, crosses through busy autumn city streets to the theater where she rehearses and attends class. Her partner’s injured foot means that Iris will dance with someone new, and the two practice together before they are to take the stage. Aspiring dancers should be easily drawn into Kent’s methodical detailing of even small moments of a dancer’s routine, such as choosing the right pair of shoes, while recurring timestamps (“At 7:20 Iris is back in the dressing room”) quietly underscore how much of a dancer’s life is governed by repetition, consistency, and precision. Ages 4–8. Author’s agent: Faith Hamlin, Sanford J. Greenburger Associates.
December 15, 2015
It is a busy day for a ballerina. Iris begins her day at 8:00 a.m. eating breakfast, packing her bag, and setting off for the theater. She changes into practice clothes at 10:05 and takes class with the company. Rehearsal for a new ballet begins at 12:00, followed by a break two hours later, and then it is back to the theater at 3:30 for a costume fitting. More rehearsal, another break, makeup at 6:30, more barre to warm up the muscles, and finally at 8:00 p.m. the curtain comes up on a beautiful production filled with music, costume, scenery, and lights. All in all, it is a good and typically full day for a dancer. Kent, who previously wrote Ballerina Swan, illustrated by Emily Arnold McCully (2012), here focuses her experienced eye on the daily activities of a prima ballerina. There's a breathless quality to her writing, which is packed with details that will enchant readers who dance. Bold typeface for the time emphasizes important events without interrupting the narrative flow. Stock's fluid ink-and-watercolor illustrations provide very charming and lively details that spotlight Iris' movements. Double-page spreads allow readers to experience the mysteries of backstage preparation and then enjoy a front-row seat for the magic of live theater. Iris is white, but the company has some dancers of color, reflecting current ballet demographics. A magical mystery tour for ballet lovers. (Picture book. 4-7)
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March 1, 2016
PreS-Gr 2-Prima ballerina Kent is back with a second picture book, this one detailing the day of a professional dancer as she prepares for the night's performance. Leggy, red-haired Iris goes through the hours of her day, from waking up in her apartment to attending vigorous ballet classes and rehearsals. The day culminates in the evening performance of an unnamed ballet. Lovely pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations give a nod to impressionism, with soft lines and vibrant colors. Iris and her hair stand out in the full-page spreads of the autumn streets of New York City, arched-windowed ballet studio, and the dark curtained backstage. Stock captures the casts' dancing and resting postures beautifully, bringing their slender forms to life and assuredly captivating young readers with the art of ballet. However, the text is not quite as graceful, featuring few descriptive elements and some clumsy moments. Ballet terms are prevalent but undefined for nondancers. VERDICT A general purchase with engaging illustrations, but a ballet story that does not quite hit all its marks. However, where ballet books circulate well, this one will be no exception.-Clara Hendricks, Cambridge Public Library, MA
Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
July 1, 2016
In the tradition of Philharmonic Gets Dressed, ballerina Kent takes readers through the twelve hours before showtime. Iris attends company class, a costume fitting, and rehearsals, squeezing in meals, socializing, and a nap in between. At book's end, the curtain lifts, and "The magic begins." Simple text and energetic, loose-lined pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations convey the stresses and pleasures of Iris's busy day.
(Copyright 2016 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)