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Ever After High: A School Story #0.1
Duchess Swan and the Next Top Bird: A Little Pirouette Story
This short story by Suzanne Selfors is a companion to her novel "Next Top Villain." At Ever After High, Duchess Swan knows that her pet swan is the most talented bird of all -- even more talented than Daring Charming's pet peacock! Duchess arranges a Feathered Friends Talent Show to prove it, once and for all. But will stage fright get the best of the bird who does ballet? Or can she shine in the spotlight? Read this original short story about Duchess and her pet swan, Pirouette.
10 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 2, 2014
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About the author
Suzanne Selfors
68 books845 followersSuzanne Selfors lives on an island near Seattle where it rains all the time, which is why she tends to write about cloudy, moss-covered, green places.
She's married, has two kids, and writes full time.
Her favorite writers are Kurt Vonnegut, Charles Dickens, and most especially, Roald Dahl.
Please visit her at www.suzanneselfors.com to learn more about her books.
She's married, has two kids, and writes full time.
Her favorite writers are Kurt Vonnegut, Charles Dickens, and most especially, Roald Dahl.
Please visit her at www.suzanneselfors.com to learn more about her books.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 19, 2022
Beautiful 💕
June 19, 2025
Duchess Swan and the Next Top Bird (Updated)
A swan sits in her nest napping at EAH. The swan’s nest had been deliveredto Duchess Swan (daughter of the Swan Princess). It was custom made for Pirouette. Pirouette is disturbed by stomping and the arrival of the girls. Lizzie and Duchess are talking about Daring. Duchess can’t believe something he said and Lizzie basically she’s he’s conceited and to turn the page and forget him. Usually, Pirouette isn’t into all the drama, but today it seems more intense. Duchess really seems upset and when Duchess is upset LOOK OUT! So, she listens.
Duchess is upset because Daring said his bird was more talented than hers and Duchess can’t believe it because all his bird is good for is strutting around. But her bird can dance. Pirouette agrees with this. He flusters her feathers but then why does he have to be so cute. Pirouette has noticed that every time Duchess speaks of this boy she’s either upset or gushing. Duchess vents it’s bad enough he’s not into her but not he’s throwing shade at her beautiful swan.
To comfort her, Pirouette presses her head against Duchess’s hand and thinks don’t be sad. Duchess tells her she’s the most talented bird in the school and she makes Daring’s bird look like a dodo. Duchess says she’ll show him mischeiviously. Lizzie says “Of with his big, swoll, blond head”. Duchess says Daring might win every competition but she has the top bird on campus and they’re going to prove it.
That afternoon, Duchess goes to get Pirouette from the lake and tells her she has a surprise for her. Reluctantly it isn’t crumbs. Instead, she takes her to the Charmatorium where the feathered friends talent show will be held. Pirouette whose never danced in front of anyone but Duchess gets a serious case of stage friend. She thinks about escaping but Daring asks if anyone is missing a duck. SHE HATES THAT! Ducks were simple creatures that liked to stick their heads underwater and their bottoms in the air. No, Pirouette was one of the grandest of all! Then she notices P-Hawk.
She’s seen him, but they don’t hang in the same location. He prefers the highest trees to the pond. He winks at her as he struts by. Duchess realizes that Pirouette is scared when she won’t move. So, she gives her a pep talk and says all dancers get stage fright but all she has to do is dance and they’ll prove to Daring she’s the best of all. And they’ll all love her.
Duchess sees that she’s still scared and tells her even though Daring needs to be taught a lesson, she doesn’t have to dance and they can leave. I LOVE that she says this! Pirouette thinks about taking her up on it. She doesn’t have to prove anything to this a** and his bird but then she sees P-Hawk smirking at her and writes “DUCK” with his foot. Pirouette thinks oh it’s ON (and that’s in the book. I kinda laughed to myself at this).
Poppa Bear is the judge. Ashlyn goes first and introduces her bird Sandella (a phoenix) whose talent is bursting into flames and being reborn. Only on this day she doesn’t seem in the mood to do it. It’s Pirouette’s turn next, but she’s frozen so Duchess says she needs more time. They decide to let her go last. Humphrey and his chicken Benedict go next. Humphrey says he’s a king chicken. His talent is… laying an egg. Really?
P-Hawk is next. He just puts his tail feathers on display and struts around but it wows the others and Pirouette. Daring declares P-Hawk the winner. Poppa Bear is in a hurry to get it over with so he can go home and watch book ball so she agrees. Egged on by Duchess and P-Hawk’s eye roll and yawn, Pirouette dances to Swan Lake. She’s doing amazing but then she tumbles. She’s embarrassed but to her surprise they all start to clap. The other birds join her and P-Hawk encourages her to stand up. They then all dance together and the audience applauds. Ashlyn, Duchess, and Daring argue over who won. Poppa Bear says they all win and gets the heck out of there to watch the game.
They put on Katy Fairy and everyone starts to dance in the Charmatorium. Duchess tells Pirouette she’s proud of her and Daring admits maybe his bird isn’t the most talented. Everyone is having fun. No one cares who the best bird is. Benedict lays another egg. Everyone laughs.
My Thoughts
Why Duchess has this fascination with Daring Charming I haven't quite figured out, and the need to impress him. Daring in these books is an arrogant jerk (to keep it PG). And I do have a worse name in my head. But the EAH girl's fawn all over him. And I think to be a bird Pirouette shows the most common sense of them all when she doesn't feel the need to impress him and show's a lack of an interest in him. Which is one thing I kinda like about Lizzie. Personally while I think Pirouette's talent was good, I think I'd have to give her second place next to Ashlyn's phoenix's ability to burst into flames and be reborn. But the ending was cute and fun! And it showed all the pets being winners.
Rating 6 I loved it so much that Duchess didn’t want to pressure Pirouette and told her they could leave and go home and she didn’t have to do this. So many parents push their kids into a certain path because that’s the path they took. I have seen it with my own eyes in my own family someone who use to dance when she was younger and then when her own daughter -whose still very young- got her daughter into dance classes and shows. Her own daughter wasn’t even old enough to verbalize what *she* wanted. And I just think it’s sad. I would *NEVER* want to be that parent or person. I wish that people could be like Duchess and say even tho this is what *I* want if that’s not what *YOU* want it’s ok with me. I never want you to do something that your uncomfortable with. But I think Pirouette was brave tho and loved also what the other birds did! So I’m going to up this score. Originally I rated it 5. I’m upping it to a 6.
A swan sits in her nest napping at EAH. The swan’s nest had been deliveredto Duchess Swan (daughter of the Swan Princess). It was custom made for Pirouette. Pirouette is disturbed by stomping and the arrival of the girls. Lizzie and Duchess are talking about Daring. Duchess can’t believe something he said and Lizzie basically she’s he’s conceited and to turn the page and forget him. Usually, Pirouette isn’t into all the drama, but today it seems more intense. Duchess really seems upset and when Duchess is upset LOOK OUT! So, she listens.
Duchess is upset because Daring said his bird was more talented than hers and Duchess can’t believe it because all his bird is good for is strutting around. But her bird can dance. Pirouette agrees with this. He flusters her feathers but then why does he have to be so cute. Pirouette has noticed that every time Duchess speaks of this boy she’s either upset or gushing. Duchess vents it’s bad enough he’s not into her but not he’s throwing shade at her beautiful swan.
To comfort her, Pirouette presses her head against Duchess’s hand and thinks don’t be sad. Duchess tells her she’s the most talented bird in the school and she makes Daring’s bird look like a dodo. Duchess says she’ll show him mischeiviously. Lizzie says “Of with his big, swoll, blond head”. Duchess says Daring might win every competition but she has the top bird on campus and they’re going to prove it.
That afternoon, Duchess goes to get Pirouette from the lake and tells her she has a surprise for her. Reluctantly it isn’t crumbs. Instead, she takes her to the Charmatorium where the feathered friends talent show will be held. Pirouette whose never danced in front of anyone but Duchess gets a serious case of stage friend. She thinks about escaping but Daring asks if anyone is missing a duck. SHE HATES THAT! Ducks were simple creatures that liked to stick their heads underwater and their bottoms in the air. No, Pirouette was one of the grandest of all! Then she notices P-Hawk.
She’s seen him, but they don’t hang in the same location. He prefers the highest trees to the pond. He winks at her as he struts by. Duchess realizes that Pirouette is scared when she won’t move. So, she gives her a pep talk and says all dancers get stage fright but all she has to do is dance and they’ll prove to Daring she’s the best of all. And they’ll all love her.
Duchess sees that she’s still scared and tells her even though Daring needs to be taught a lesson, she doesn’t have to dance and they can leave. I LOVE that she says this! Pirouette thinks about taking her up on it. She doesn’t have to prove anything to this a** and his bird but then she sees P-Hawk smirking at her and writes “DUCK” with his foot. Pirouette thinks oh it’s ON (and that’s in the book. I kinda laughed to myself at this).
Poppa Bear is the judge. Ashlyn goes first and introduces her bird Sandella (a phoenix) whose talent is bursting into flames and being reborn. Only on this day she doesn’t seem in the mood to do it. It’s Pirouette’s turn next, but she’s frozen so Duchess says she needs more time. They decide to let her go last. Humphrey and his chicken Benedict go next. Humphrey says he’s a king chicken. His talent is… laying an egg. Really?
P-Hawk is next. He just puts his tail feathers on display and struts around but it wows the others and Pirouette. Daring declares P-Hawk the winner. Poppa Bear is in a hurry to get it over with so he can go home and watch book ball so she agrees. Egged on by Duchess and P-Hawk’s eye roll and yawn, Pirouette dances to Swan Lake. She’s doing amazing but then she tumbles. She’s embarrassed but to her surprise they all start to clap. The other birds join her and P-Hawk encourages her to stand up. They then all dance together and the audience applauds. Ashlyn, Duchess, and Daring argue over who won. Poppa Bear says they all win and gets the heck out of there to watch the game.
They put on Katy Fairy and everyone starts to dance in the Charmatorium. Duchess tells Pirouette she’s proud of her and Daring admits maybe his bird isn’t the most talented. Everyone is having fun. No one cares who the best bird is. Benedict lays another egg. Everyone laughs.
My Thoughts
Why Duchess has this fascination with Daring Charming I haven't quite figured out, and the need to impress him. Daring in these books is an arrogant jerk (to keep it PG). And I do have a worse name in my head. But the EAH girl's fawn all over him. And I think to be a bird Pirouette shows the most common sense of them all when she doesn't feel the need to impress him and show's a lack of an interest in him. Which is one thing I kinda like about Lizzie. Personally while I think Pirouette's talent was good, I think I'd have to give her second place next to Ashlyn's phoenix's ability to burst into flames and be reborn. But the ending was cute and fun! And it showed all the pets being winners.
Rating 6 I loved it so much that Duchess didn’t want to pressure Pirouette and told her they could leave and go home and she didn’t have to do this. So many parents push their kids into a certain path because that’s the path they took. I have seen it with my own eyes in my own family someone who use to dance when she was younger and then when her own daughter -whose still very young- got her daughter into dance classes and shows. Her own daughter wasn’t even old enough to verbalize what *she* wanted. And I just think it’s sad. I would *NEVER* want to be that parent or person. I wish that people could be like Duchess and say even tho this is what *I* want if that’s not what *YOU* want it’s ok with me. I never want you to do something that your uncomfortable with. But I think Pirouette was brave tho and loved also what the other birds did! So I’m going to up this score. Originally I rated it 5. I’m upping it to a 6.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 14, 2016
After I read the Dexter Charming’s story about his pet (well it was mostly about him x Raven, but oh details), I wanted to read more. I quickly found this one and started it, and sadly I have to say this was just not as good. Not at all.
Where the other book was a clean 4 stars, I can’t rate this one more than 2.5 stars. Maybe it had to do with the pet, maybe to do with the owner. But I guess it had to do mostly with the pet. Unlike the previous story the swan (the pet) plays the biggest role, and sorry, she was just so obnoxious and annoying. Her thoughts, her ideas on how stuff worked, her needs, anything, it just frustrated me enormously and in the end I just wanted to pluck her and have her fried. Not that I would eat her, oh no. Would make a good Christmas dinner though.
And not only the bird was annoying, oh no. Daring… one of the characters that is often a miss for me. He is just so egocentric, thinking that he is so great, dazzling everyone, making harmful remarks. He is just a pretentious dick. Bleh.
The competition was fun though, I loved what happened at the end.
But yeah, in most this was just not a good book, I was glad it was so short, so I could finish it quickly and be done with it. I will be seeing if I can find the other stories as I do want to read them and see if they are better.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
Where the other book was a clean 4 stars, I can’t rate this one more than 2.5 stars. Maybe it had to do with the pet, maybe to do with the owner. But I guess it had to do mostly with the pet. Unlike the previous story the swan (the pet) plays the biggest role, and sorry, she was just so obnoxious and annoying. Her thoughts, her ideas on how stuff worked, her needs, anything, it just frustrated me enormously and in the end I just wanted to pluck her and have her fried. Not that I would eat her, oh no. Would make a good Christmas dinner though.
And not only the bird was annoying, oh no. Daring… one of the characters that is often a miss for me. He is just so egocentric, thinking that he is so great, dazzling everyone, making harmful remarks. He is just a pretentious dick. Bleh.
The competition was fun though, I loved what happened at the end.
But yeah, in most this was just not a good book, I was glad it was so short, so I could finish it quickly and be done with it. I will be seeing if I can find the other stories as I do want to read them and see if they are better.
Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
June 10, 2015
Waiting for the release of A semi-charming kind of life (Weird title for a children book, mayhaps it's supposed to show that heroic adventures can be addicting like meth.) I'm willing to try anything that bears the EAH brand. XD
Duchess is nice to her pet and everyone is happy and dances together ´to Katy Fairy's song 'Thank Grimm it's Friday'. The end. Meh is what I expected meh is what I got. :P
Duchess is nice to her pet and everyone is happy and dances together ´to Katy Fairy's song 'Thank Grimm it's Friday'. The end. Meh is what I expected meh is what I got. :P
December 8, 2015
Talent show. Face your fears. Be proud of what you can do.
February 6, 2015
I liked seeing the world through Pirouette's eyes.
June 19, 2017
I didn't enjoy this book story nearly as much as the stories in the series by Shannon Hale. The story was written from the perspective of Duchess's pet swan, and it wasn't a great story and did not have a great story line. I was not impressed with this story, and I hope the others are better.
August 16, 2021
Birds
It's not smart to think that your bird, or whatever pet you have, is better than any one else's.
If I'd have read a few of these books before buying more of them, I wouldn't have bought so many. They're for pre teens.
It's not smart to think that your bird, or whatever pet you have, is better than any one else's.
If I'd have read a few of these books before buying more of them, I wouldn't have bought so many. They're for pre teens.
July 4, 2020
A short story from the ever after high series.
February 6, 2015
I´ve got to admit, this one was adorable.
I will never dare calling Pirouette a duck, promised.
I will never dare calling Pirouette a duck, promised.
February 13, 2024
I would really love to read this where do I get this does anybody know if it's available or if it's unavailable please I would really like it because I really want to get this book
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews