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Ballet Cat
Ballet Cat: The Totally Secret Secret
Ballet Cat and Sparkles the Pony are trying to decide what to play today. Nothing that Sparkles suggests--making crafts, playing checkers, and selling lemonade--goes well with the leaping, spinning, and twirling that Ballet Cat likes to do. When Sparkles's leaps, spins, and twirls seem halfhearted, Ballet Cat asks him what's wrong. Sparkles doesn't want to say. He has a secret that Ballet Cat won't want to hear. What Sparkles doesn't know is that Ballet Cat has a secret of her own, a totally secret secret. Once their secrets are shared, will their friendship end, or be stronger than ever?
56 pages, Hardcover
First published May 5, 2015
6 people are currently reading
840 people want to read
About the author
Bob Shea
61 books350 followersBob Shea has written and illustrated over a dozen picture books including the popular Dinosaur vs. Bedtime and the cult favorite Big Plans illustrated by Lane Smith.
His characters and animations have appeared on Nick Jr, Playhouse Disney and PBS Kids.
Bob spends his days writing, drawing and having “conversations” with NPR.
His characters and animations have appeared on Nick Jr, Playhouse Disney and PBS Kids.
Bob spends his days writing, drawing and having “conversations” with NPR.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 317 reviews
February 6, 2017
A SECRET SECRET! What could it be? Tell us Ballet Cat...WE CAN'T STAND TO BE LEFT OUT OF A SECRET SECRET! Tell us Sparkles the Pony...WE WON'T TELL ANTONE ELSE! I will not tell you the secret...you have to read the book!
January 8, 2016
Good read-alike to Mo Willems.
January 20, 2016
Aww, I love Bob Shea's books! This was so cute. :)
December 8, 2015
Super sweet book showing how a friendship works. Telling the truth, loving and respecting reach other and compromise. Not preachy, but fun. Bright happy colors and artwork that's fun and appealing to youngsters. A great addition to any little one's bookcase. Highly recommended. 4.5 stars, rounded up.
February 1, 2017
Love, love, love Ballet Cat and Sparkle Pony. They are so cute and model good friendship.
June 29, 2015
“Well that was nice.”--were the first words out of my mouth after reading Ballet Cat by Bob Shea.
I wasn’t a fan of some of the colors on the pages, but the pinks and yellows definitely captured the warmth and energy of Sparkles and Ballet Cat’s friendship.
A cute tale that depicted the give and take of a friendship perfectly in clear and simple ways. Fun is a big part of friendship, but sharing and patience are necessary ingredients too.
The Totally Secret Secret is filled with friendship, communication, leaping, twirling and more! I'm not telling you what the secret secret is though. :)
Check it out from your local Library to find out.
May 16, 2015
I believe this title has a good shot at the Theodore Geisel award for 2016.
May 9, 2015
Ballet Cat: The Totally Secret Secret by Bob Shea – Early Reader
Enjoyed reading this adorable little friendship book. Reminded me of a Mo Willems’s Elephant and Piggie story. Really cute to see an interaction that I’d also see between two children in real life. When you and your friend have different interests, could the friendship end? So special to read. I look forward to watching my students read this book for the first time. Would be great for parents to share with kids when they’re learning about making and keeping friends.
Enjoyed reading this adorable little friendship book. Reminded me of a Mo Willems’s Elephant and Piggie story. Really cute to see an interaction that I’d also see between two children in real life. When you and your friend have different interests, could the friendship end? So special to read. I look forward to watching my students read this book for the first time. Would be great for parents to share with kids when they’re learning about making and keeping friends.
June 9, 2015
I have never met a Bob Shea book I didn't like. I love you, Ballet Cat. You're pretty cool too, Sparkles.
July 12, 2015
For fans of Elephant and Piggie. Energetic, colorful, friendship.
June 10, 2021
Bob Shea’s new early reader Ballet Cat: The Totally Secret Secret is such a great, funny book. Elephant and Piggie fans will definitely like this one.
May 29, 2015
We LOVED this book in my room! Funny, lots of personality, so much fun!
August 12, 2015
I love this as much as Elephant & Piggie, and *gasp* maybe even more. I was a HUGE fan of Unicorn Thinks He's Pretty Great. Can't wait to share with students! 5 stars doesn't seem like enough!
August 10, 2015
Funny and fun--I can't wait to try it in storytime with two readers!
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June 2, 2015a great addition to our early reader section!
February 28, 2016
Super cute, with a nice message. Lots of fun to read out loud.
March 3, 2020
Ballet Cat and Sparkles the Pony were best friends who played together every day. Unfortunately, the ever exuberant Ballet Cat always wanted to do the same thing: 'play' ballet. When Sparkles evinces less enthusiasm than usual for their game, after his feline friend once again insists on dancing, Ballet Cat insists on knowing why. His secret - that sometimes he doesn't want to play ballet - isn't the friendship-breaker that he fears. Instead, he learns that Ballet Cat also has a secret...
A charming little early reader about being a true friend, Ballet Cat: The Totally Secret Secret taps into a number of themes relevant to younger children, from their absorption in imaginative games - the dance they perform is part of a larger storytelling game - to their often heedless desire to get their own way, even in play. The ending, in which Ballet Cat reveals that there is something she likes more than ballet () is really quite sweet. I thought the dialogue here really captured childhood speech patterns - something confirmed for me after hearing this book read aloud at story-hour numerous times - and appreciated the variation of type size, and how this was used to express the characters' emotions. The artwork, done in a cartoon-like style on brightly colored pages, will capture children's attention, even as the story engages them. Recommended to anyone looking for entertaining early readers addressing issues of friendship and control.
A charming little early reader about being a true friend, Ballet Cat: The Totally Secret Secret taps into a number of themes relevant to younger children, from their absorption in imaginative games - the dance they perform is part of a larger storytelling game - to their often heedless desire to get their own way, even in play. The ending, in which Ballet Cat reveals that there is something she likes more than ballet () is really quite sweet. I thought the dialogue here really captured childhood speech patterns - something confirmed for me after hearing this book read aloud at story-hour numerous times - and appreciated the variation of type size, and how this was used to express the characters' emotions. The artwork, done in a cartoon-like style on brightly colored pages, will capture children's attention, even as the story engages them. Recommended to anyone looking for entertaining early readers addressing issues of friendship and control.
March 1, 2015
This book was very cute.
At first I was not so sure about the illustrations but they totally add to the quirkiness of ballet cat.
This is a nice little story about two friends who don't necessarilly want to play the same game sometimes, and how they overcome the problem. I thought it was handled very nicely. This is a great book for young children as it has a great message and teaches them to talk about how they are feeling and to be empathetic to others.
There are also limited words per page making it a great book for beginner readers.
The illustrations are colourful and quirky, and had me laughing at parts.
**i was given a free digital copy by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
At first I was not so sure about the illustrations but they totally add to the quirkiness of ballet cat.
This is a nice little story about two friends who don't necessarilly want to play the same game sometimes, and how they overcome the problem. I thought it was handled very nicely. This is a great book for young children as it has a great message and teaches them to talk about how they are feeling and to be empathetic to others.
There are also limited words per page making it a great book for beginner readers.
The illustrations are colourful and quirky, and had me laughing at parts.
**i was given a free digital copy by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
November 30, 2017
it was a hilarious book to listen to! bob shea always makes me chuckle at the antics his characters get up to. great illustration of friendship and compromise.
i enjoyed the selection of classical music, i associate it with ballet. the characters voices were each unique. background sounds were appropriate to the story and didn't over power the reading.
additionally, after listening to the second track for use with a physical copy. the turn the page signals were set correctly and with enough time for slow page turners to turn the page.
i will definitely be recommending this to my kids and their adults.
(Received free through Goodreads First Reads)
i enjoyed the selection of classical music, i associate it with ballet. the characters voices were each unique. background sounds were appropriate to the story and didn't over power the reading.
additionally, after listening to the second track for use with a physical copy. the turn the page signals were set correctly and with enough time for slow page turners to turn the page.
i will definitely be recommending this to my kids and their adults.
(Received free through Goodreads First Reads)
April 13, 2017
When it comes to picture books, Bob Shea RULES THE SCHOOL. I simply adored this little volume with all its whimsy and heartwarming-ness. His "Dinosaur" books have long been my go-to literary happy place and now Ballet Cat and Sparkles Pony join this auspicious collection. Excuse me, but I have to go twirl now.
January 10, 2015
This book is cute and funny, just like Bob Shea's books usually are. You can tell the art is his. It is Elephant and Piggie-esque.
April 2, 2016
Laugh Out Loud funny!
I think Ballet Cat and Sparkles is going to give Elephant and Piggie a run for their money!
This book is going to be so fun to read out loud to young readers.
I think Ballet Cat and Sparkles is going to give Elephant and Piggie a run for their money!
This book is going to be so fun to read out loud to young readers.
February 5, 2015
I hope there are more books in this series! I loved this book! My second grade students are going to love it!
April 18, 2015
Purrfect! The next George&Martha, Elephant&Piggie friendship book-adorable.
July 18, 2015
AWESOME! I have a secret secret. I LOVE Bob Shea's books every time and this is no exception. Absolutely darling.
April 25, 2016
Jasmine loved this book! Very cute story! :)
May 26, 2016
Yes! Everything about this was fantastic... the pictures.. the tone of voice... the facial expressions... the dialogue...the message. I loved it!!
May 19, 2016
THIS IS SO GREAT!
It is all girl stuff that is so sparkly and amazing. I can't believe it took someone so long to write this book. I am kissing this book. KISS KISS KISS KISS KISS
It is all girl stuff that is so sparkly and amazing. I can't believe it took someone so long to write this book. I am kissing this book. KISS KISS KISS KISS KISS
October 6, 2016
Loved it! Bob Shea doesn't disappoint. The story is almost as good as the fabulously whimsical drawings. Which is saying something. Because fabulous.
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August 26, 2015this book is amazing!!! friendship, spinning, ice cream.
not to be missed.
not to be missed.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 317 reviews