Lila Bloom

by Alexander Stadler

Performing well can be its own reward

Lila Bloom is in a very bad mood. On the way to ballet practice, Lila declares, "I despise ballet!" and later announces, "This will be my last class." Lila's unflappable teacher, Madame Vera, suggests that maybe quitting is not such a bad idea. She even points out that Lila has been dancing "like an old noodle." An angry Lila puts extra effort into her dancing, but Madame doesn't seem to notice. And then something marvelous happens.

Expressive ink-and-gouache illustrations capture all of Lila Bloom's emotions as her day goes from bad to worse to wonderful.

Genres: Picture Books

40 pages, Hardcover

First published May 5, 2004

Reviews

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lila has a bad day and she wants to quit ballet but after class, she feels so much better that she wants to take two classes a week. Storyline is fine. LOTS of ballet terms so nice book for all the dancer girls.

[Asha Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has sveral phrases in French. It is about a girl who has had a rough day at school. She decides she doesnt want to go to ballet anymore. So during class she slacks and slouches and tells her teacher that today will be her last day. Lila gets upset when her teacher stops paying attention her, so she dances her heart out for her last day and then something happens, Lila finds it hard to stay angry about her day. She decides to stay in ballet and has a better day in the end. This book also has ballet terms. It is a good book to put on the shelf for girls who take ballet.

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The storyline isn't horrible, but there is a lot of ballet words in French.. that I'm not against but it made it difficult to read because I am not a dancer or familiar with French. Also my daughter likes to do the reading and there was no way she could read it alone. My daughter said the pictures were ugly.

[Kristie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book will help children identify emotions so they can express themselves.

[Lillie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Favorite part: "When Madame was paying attention to someone else."

[Tricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

lila has a bad day until she gets involved in her ballet class. not a real stand out book but still enjoyable.

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can relate to the story but my three year old couldn't. A good book for an older child.

[Dianna · Rating 3 out of 5]

In ballet class, Lila finds out that life is more worthwhile when you actually try to do your best. Loved the message, didn't like the pictures at all.

[Linda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Definitely geared to a limited audience with the abundance of ballet and French terms used throughout. Would appeal to a little ballerina!

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, apart from the word "stupid"