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Ready to Fly: How Sylvia Townsend Became the Bookmobile Ballerina
An inspiring picture book for little ballerinas everywhere!
Ready to Fly is the true story of Sylvia Townsend, an African American girl who falls in love with ballet after seeing Swan Lake on TV.
Although there aren’t many ballet schools that will accept a girl like Sylvia in the 1950s, her local bookmobile provides another possibility. A librarian helps Sylvia find a book about ballet and the determined seven-year-old, with the help of her new books, starts teaching herself the basics of classical ballet.
Soon Sylvia learns how to fly—how to dance—and how to dare to dream.
Lyrical, easy-to-read, and affecting text paired with bright, appealing illustrations make Ready to Fly perfect for aspiring ballerinas everywhere who are ready to leap and to spread their wings.
Includes a foreword from Sylvia Townsend, a brief history of the bookmobile, an author’s note, and a further reading list.
Ready to Fly is the true story of Sylvia Townsend, an African American girl who falls in love with ballet after seeing Swan Lake on TV.
Although there aren’t many ballet schools that will accept a girl like Sylvia in the 1950s, her local bookmobile provides another possibility. A librarian helps Sylvia find a book about ballet and the determined seven-year-old, with the help of her new books, starts teaching herself the basics of classical ballet.
Soon Sylvia learns how to fly—how to dance—and how to dare to dream.
Lyrical, easy-to-read, and affecting text paired with bright, appealing illustrations make Ready to Fly perfect for aspiring ballerinas everywhere who are ready to leap and to spread their wings.
Includes a foreword from Sylvia Townsend, a brief history of the bookmobile, an author’s note, and a further reading list.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published January 28, 2020
12 people are currently reading
378 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews
March 5, 2020
The latest children's book that I received in my book box. A perfect read for my two young granddaughters, one who already loves ballet. Here a young black girl falls in love with the ballerinas she sees on her tv, and decides she wants to learn to dance. When s book mobile shows up she takes out as many books on ballet as she is allowed. Well, the story goes on from here, but it holds an important message. Even when told by a ballet instructor that ballet was only for white girls, she doesn't give up her dream. She persists and it is wonderful to see that this is the authors own real life story.
Beautiful illustrations too. A great book to give the young girls in your life who have a dream.
Beautiful illustrations too. A great book to give the young girls in your life who have a dream.
April 30, 2021
3.5 STARS
Much to enjoy here. It's an inspiring story. The story proper is told in an engaging, age-appropriate way and Sylvia's tenacity and bright spirit shine through. (Love that hand-made barre she made for herself!) I appreciated that, even when she felt like giving up herself, she was inspired to keep dancing to keep teaching the eager young girls who came to take lessons with her. There's also a note from Sylvia herself, and author's note that fills in more details in Sylvia's story, and a delightful "Brief History of the Bookmobile" with accompanying pictures. Photo Credits, References, and For Further Reading round this out.
However, I found myself wanting more. There is a poignant moment in the story when young Sylvia is turned away from local ballet schools and learns that "ballet is for white girls." Yet, as the Author's Note itself mentions, Janet Collins and Raven Wilkinson were already professional ballerinas (seeBrave Ballerina: The Story of Janet Collins). That is not to say that there weren't extreme barriers to Sylvia (growing up in segregation) to joining a ballet school, but the story itself makes it sound like there were no black ballerinas, which is simply untrue.
We needed a bit more in the story proper such as, "ballet was not for white girls in the segregated South" or "Sylvia realized she had never seen a black ballerina" or something to that effect. Janet Collins trained in California and her teacher was one of the few teachers who accepted black students at the time (but that means there were others who accepted black students) and this was back in the late 1930s, I believe. The book really is not clear on the exact date of when Sylvia's story takes place. We only know Sylvia was born in 1943 and this is "1950s segregated America" I realize that the general public might not have been aware of Janet Collins at that time. Collins joined the corps de ballet at the Metropolitan Opera in 1951. But, I know that she faced prejudice and wasn't allowed to perform when they toured the Southern states. So, maybe Sylvia didn't hear of these other dancers. Still, there ought to have been more context so children don't come away with the idea that there were absolutely no black ballet dancers or that Sylvia was the first one. (I imagine some will not read the afterward.)
I do appreciate that, while the story showed the painful prejudice Sylvia faced, it also showed that some white people wanted to help her on her journey, like her teacher who offered to pay for her ballet lessons. I wanted to know more about Madame Sawicka, the Russian ballet teacher who wanted to teach Sylvia and what compelled her to do so. Still, overall, it's an engaging story about an inspiring individual and I would recommend it despite my criticisms.
PS Let's not forget the male dancers! Lester Horton became Alvin Ailey's mentor when Ailey studied with him -- Horton founded the first racially-integrated dance company in America. It was technically a modern dance company but they did have ballet training. In fact, Janet Collins also trained with Horton! I know I'm stretching a bit here (and I'm not faulting the authors of Sylvia's book for not mentioning this) but I do like to include male dancers as they are so often overlooked. Horton passed away in 1953 at which point Ailey took over for him briefly before founding Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 1958 (their dance style also incorporates ballet). Again, it may be the sad truth that Sylvia simply hadn't heard of them in the segregated South.
Much to enjoy here. It's an inspiring story. The story proper is told in an engaging, age-appropriate way and Sylvia's tenacity and bright spirit shine through. (Love that hand-made barre she made for herself!) I appreciated that, even when she felt like giving up herself, she was inspired to keep dancing to keep teaching the eager young girls who came to take lessons with her. There's also a note from Sylvia herself, and author's note that fills in more details in Sylvia's story, and a delightful "Brief History of the Bookmobile" with accompanying pictures. Photo Credits, References, and For Further Reading round this out.
However, I found myself wanting more. There is a poignant moment in the story when young Sylvia is turned away from local ballet schools and learns that "ballet is for white girls." Yet, as the Author's Note itself mentions, Janet Collins and Raven Wilkinson were already professional ballerinas (seeBrave Ballerina: The Story of Janet Collins). That is not to say that there weren't extreme barriers to Sylvia (growing up in segregation) to joining a ballet school, but the story itself makes it sound like there were no black ballerinas, which is simply untrue.
We needed a bit more in the story proper such as, "ballet was not for white girls in the segregated South" or "Sylvia realized she had never seen a black ballerina" or something to that effect. Janet Collins trained in California and her teacher was one of the few teachers who accepted black students at the time (but that means there were others who accepted black students) and this was back in the late 1930s, I believe. The book really is not clear on the exact date of when Sylvia's story takes place. We only know Sylvia was born in 1943 and this is "1950s segregated America" I realize that the general public might not have been aware of Janet Collins at that time. Collins joined the corps de ballet at the Metropolitan Opera in 1951. But, I know that she faced prejudice and wasn't allowed to perform when they toured the Southern states. So, maybe Sylvia didn't hear of these other dancers. Still, there ought to have been more context so children don't come away with the idea that there were absolutely no black ballet dancers or that Sylvia was the first one. (I imagine some will not read the afterward.)
I do appreciate that, while the story showed the painful prejudice Sylvia faced, it also showed that some white people wanted to help her on her journey, like her teacher who offered to pay for her ballet lessons. I wanted to know more about Madame Sawicka, the Russian ballet teacher who wanted to teach Sylvia and what compelled her to do so. Still, overall, it's an engaging story about an inspiring individual and I would recommend it despite my criticisms.
PS Let's not forget the male dancers! Lester Horton became Alvin Ailey's mentor when Ailey studied with him -- Horton founded the first racially-integrated dance company in America. It was technically a modern dance company but they did have ballet training. In fact, Janet Collins also trained with Horton! I know I'm stretching a bit here (and I'm not faulting the authors of Sylvia's book for not mentioning this) but I do like to include male dancers as they are so often overlooked. Horton passed away in 1953 at which point Ailey took over for him briefly before founding Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 1958 (their dance style also incorporates ballet). Again, it may be the sad truth that Sylvia simply hadn't heard of them in the segregated South.
July 9, 2020
There’s a lot covered in this little book. Ballet, segregation, libraries, the value of support. So much that it seems a little all over the place, but still adorable. Sylvia is an aspiring ballerina, but because she is black, schools will not accept her as a student. So she learns ballet from library books, and teaches it to others. Eventually, she gains a supporter and is able to train and officially teach. It just covers a whole lot of time in a very short book, so there are parts that are, especially at the end, like, “Huh? When did that happen?” But great art, a needed story, and a worthy read.
March 17, 2021
Growing up in the 1950s, Sylvia Townsend loved every kind of music and every kind of dance. When she saw a performance of Swan Lake on television, she decided that she needed to learn ballet, but her parents couldn't afford lessons. Aided by the librarian staffing the bookmobile which would visit her neighborhood, Sylvia began to teach herself about ballet, eventually going on to show some of her friends the steps. When a teacher stepped in with an offer to pay for lessons, it seemed that Sylvia's dream had come true, until a painful reality intruded: the local ballet schools did not want to take an African-American pupil. Ballet was for white girls. Refusing to give up, Sylvia continued to dance, eventually winning the opportunity to try out with Madame Sawicka, a Russian emigre ballet instructor who agreed to take her on as a pupil. Eventually, Sylvia Townsend would indeed become a ballet dancer, and would open her own dance school in the San Francisco Bay area...
I have read and enjoyed a number of picture-books illustrated by Lea Lyon - Peggy Moss' Say Something , Genevieve Petrillo's Keep Your Ear on the Ball , and others - but Ready to Fly: How Sylvia Townsend Became the Bookmobile Ballerina is her debut as an author, and I was interested in it for that reason. It is one of a number of inspiring picture-book biographies of ballet dancers that I have read in the last few years, and it tells an engrossing tale of a young girl who never gave up on her dream, no matter the challenge. Whether it was poverty, the lack of proper instruction, the racism that kept her out for a time - Sylvia Townsend met every obstacle with determination, working hard and persisting. I appreciated the brief foreword from Townsend herself, in which she communicates the message that children have their own talents, and have the potential in them to make their dreams a reality. I also appreciated the back matter, which gives more information about Townsend and about bookmobiles, which have had such a positive impact on people of all walks of life, all over the country. The accompanying artwork here from illustrator Jessica Gibson is colorful and cute, in a digital, cartoon-style way, but I found myself wishing that another artist had been chosen. There's nothing wrong with the visuals, but I think a different style of art might have been more appealing, in conjunction with the story. Tastes vary of course, so take that as you will. This would pair nicely with a picture-book biography of another ballet dancer, particularly those who have had to overcome great challenges - Misty Copeland's Firebird , Maria Tallchief's Tallchief: America's Prima Ballerina , Krystyna Poray Goddu's An Unlikely Ballerina - and it would also work very well with other titles about bookmobiles and traveling libraries - Gloria Houston's Miss Dorothy and Her Bookmobile , Jeanette Winter's Biblioburro: A True Story from Colombia , Margriet Ruurs' My Librarian Is a Camel: How Books Are Brought to Children Around the World . Recommended to young ballet enthusiasts, and to picture-book readers looking for biographies of dancers and/or people overcoming great challenges to succeed.
I have read and enjoyed a number of picture-books illustrated by Lea Lyon - Peggy Moss' Say Something , Genevieve Petrillo's Keep Your Ear on the Ball , and others - but Ready to Fly: How Sylvia Townsend Became the Bookmobile Ballerina is her debut as an author, and I was interested in it for that reason. It is one of a number of inspiring picture-book biographies of ballet dancers that I have read in the last few years, and it tells an engrossing tale of a young girl who never gave up on her dream, no matter the challenge. Whether it was poverty, the lack of proper instruction, the racism that kept her out for a time - Sylvia Townsend met every obstacle with determination, working hard and persisting. I appreciated the brief foreword from Townsend herself, in which she communicates the message that children have their own talents, and have the potential in them to make their dreams a reality. I also appreciated the back matter, which gives more information about Townsend and about bookmobiles, which have had such a positive impact on people of all walks of life, all over the country. The accompanying artwork here from illustrator Jessica Gibson is colorful and cute, in a digital, cartoon-style way, but I found myself wishing that another artist had been chosen. There's nothing wrong with the visuals, but I think a different style of art might have been more appealing, in conjunction with the story. Tastes vary of course, so take that as you will. This would pair nicely with a picture-book biography of another ballet dancer, particularly those who have had to overcome great challenges - Misty Copeland's Firebird , Maria Tallchief's Tallchief: America's Prima Ballerina , Krystyna Poray Goddu's An Unlikely Ballerina - and it would also work very well with other titles about bookmobiles and traveling libraries - Gloria Houston's Miss Dorothy and Her Bookmobile , Jeanette Winter's Biblioburro: A True Story from Colombia , Margriet Ruurs' My Librarian Is a Camel: How Books Are Brought to Children Around the World . Recommended to young ballet enthusiasts, and to picture-book readers looking for biographies of dancers and/or people overcoming great challenges to succeed.
June 1, 2020
Sylvia Townsend is a young African American girl growing up in 1950s America. Unfortunately, this means she could not take dance lessons and join the white learners, like she wants to. So she studies books from the bookmobile to learn all the ins and outs of dance. Her fourth grade teacher encouraged her and eventually other young black girls asked her to teach them how to dance before they enter a school talent show, together. This is where Sylvia gets her big break and is invited to join a real dance studio with a professional dance instructor. Readers will definitely want to check out the back matter with references, many photos and detail about the history of the Bookmobile, and an Author’s Note. In the front matter, there’s also “A Note on Hopes and Dreams” written by Sylvia Robertson Townsend that showcases the importance of a parent noticing and encouraging their child’s interests. The artist used Photoshop CC and a Wacom Cintiq drawing tablet to create the digital illustrations for this book.
For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!
For more children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!
February 3, 2020
A lovely tale about Sylvia Townsend, a little girl determined to become a ballerina in pre-civil rights America with the help of her local book mobile. Her courage and resoluteness are truly inspiring - this is a tale that will be appreciated by any child interested in ballet or American history. There is a beautiful forward from Sylvia Townsend herself and interesting backmatter detailing the history of the book mobile. The illustrations and lively, sweet and flow beautifully with a soft warm palette, appealing to young children, and complement the swift moving, poetic text perfectly.
December 16, 2021
Review 12/15/21
I've read Ready to Fly four times. I've also cried four times while reading it, at the exact same spot every time.
I first found this at the education curriculum library back in February when I needed a break while studying. Since then, I’ve read it two or three more times and I’ve never been able to get through it without crying at a specific part that’s kind of the climax of the story. Ready to Fly is short and sweet but still very moving. The author duo and illustrator use simple words and illustrations to convey something far beyond the words themselves.
A book like Ready to Fly is a good way to introduce difficult topics such as the Civil Rights Movement while keeping the story centered on the person and what they overcame despite these hardships and barriers.
I also love that the focus on this book is about young people facing these exclusions. So many times kids' earliest introduction to topics like Civil Rights (and even later on into middle school and high school) only discusses adults who made change. Books like Ready to Fly place real kids front and center in the Civil Rights Movement and show us that children are not too young to dream, and they are not too young to make a change.
With a book like Ready to Fly, you have to place the people in context. Sylvia Townsend is still alive today, and as far as I can tell she still teaches or at least works with ballet and other dance forms in the area where she grew up. She is in her late seventies. Dates and timelines need to be explicitly taught and children need to realize that many names we know from this period of history are either still alive or have died in the lifetimes of adults they know.
Ready to Fly is also a great tool for social-emotional learning, including practicing goal setting.
Ready to Fly would be appropriate for any grade level, though it would have to be a read aloud for younger grades because of the format and the interspersed ballet terms. It would work well as a read-aloud for any age, or as independent reading for students who are willing and able to take the time to research into the complexities, or who have a lot of ballet knowledge already.
Ready to Fly has risen to the top of my wish list for children's books and for things in general.
You can read my full review on my Goodreads account for children's books, although with this book my review here actually contains most of the same content since I love it so much and couldn't decide what to leave out.
I've read Ready to Fly four times. I've also cried four times while reading it, at the exact same spot every time.
I first found this at the education curriculum library back in February when I needed a break while studying. Since then, I’ve read it two or three more times and I’ve never been able to get through it without crying at a specific part that’s kind of the climax of the story. Ready to Fly is short and sweet but still very moving. The author duo and illustrator use simple words and illustrations to convey something far beyond the words themselves.
A book like Ready to Fly is a good way to introduce difficult topics such as the Civil Rights Movement while keeping the story centered on the person and what they overcame despite these hardships and barriers.
I also love that the focus on this book is about young people facing these exclusions. So many times kids' earliest introduction to topics like Civil Rights (and even later on into middle school and high school) only discusses adults who made change. Books like Ready to Fly place real kids front and center in the Civil Rights Movement and show us that children are not too young to dream, and they are not too young to make a change.
With a book like Ready to Fly, you have to place the people in context. Sylvia Townsend is still alive today, and as far as I can tell she still teaches or at least works with ballet and other dance forms in the area where she grew up. She is in her late seventies. Dates and timelines need to be explicitly taught and children need to realize that many names we know from this period of history are either still alive or have died in the lifetimes of adults they know.
Ready to Fly is also a great tool for social-emotional learning, including practicing goal setting.
Ready to Fly would be appropriate for any grade level, though it would have to be a read aloud for younger grades because of the format and the interspersed ballet terms. It would work well as a read-aloud for any age, or as independent reading for students who are willing and able to take the time to research into the complexities, or who have a lot of ballet knowledge already.
Ready to Fly has risen to the top of my wish list for children's books and for things in general.
You can read my full review on my Goodreads account for children's books, although with this book my review here actually contains most of the same content since I love it so much and couldn't decide what to leave out.
February 17, 2021
This picture book biography tells the story of African American ballerina Sylvia Townsend and the obstacles she overcame on the road to success. Sylvia first developed her passion for dance as a young girl watching ballerinas perform on TV. However, her family couldn't afford to send her to lessons. So when a bookmobile visited her neighborhood, Sylvia checked out every book on ballet they had and taught herself!
The book doesn't shy away from the racial discrimination Sylvia faced and the pain it caused. A particularly heartbreaking page in the book shows a downcast young Sylvia returning a stack of books to the bookmobile librarian, convinced she won't need them any more. However, the ultimate message is one of triumph. Sylvia's talents are recognized by a renowned Russian ballet teacher, and she goes on to auditions, performances, and eventually founding a ballet school of her own, where all students are welcome.
I really enjoyed the illustrations in this story. They are sweet and soft with big-eyed characters that could have stepped out of a Disney movie. The illustrations really come to life on the pages showing Sylvia in motion. She seems to float across the page like a swan, radiating confidence and grace. This inspirational story shows the power of reading to open doors and the importance of perseverance in following your dreams. Perfect for encouraging young girls to believe in themselves.
The book doesn't shy away from the racial discrimination Sylvia faced and the pain it caused. A particularly heartbreaking page in the book shows a downcast young Sylvia returning a stack of books to the bookmobile librarian, convinced she won't need them any more. However, the ultimate message is one of triumph. Sylvia's talents are recognized by a renowned Russian ballet teacher, and she goes on to auditions, performances, and eventually founding a ballet school of her own, where all students are welcome.
I really enjoyed the illustrations in this story. They are sweet and soft with big-eyed characters that could have stepped out of a Disney movie. The illustrations really come to life on the pages showing Sylvia in motion. She seems to float across the page like a swan, radiating confidence and grace. This inspirational story shows the power of reading to open doors and the importance of perseverance in following your dreams. Perfect for encouraging young girls to believe in themselves.
November 14, 2019
READY TO FLY is a biography of Sylvia Townsend and how she became a ballerina. She always loved to dance and could feel it through her whole body. She would even help teach the other children from the neighborhood from her stoop.
When her teacher notices Sylvia's talent, she offers to pay for her to learn dancing lessons. However, she grew up in a time where African Americans faced struggles like not being accepted into a ballet class. So, she continues to teach the others and then they perform in the school talent show. Here, she learns of Madame Sawicka, a dance teacher who came from Russia, and she sees an opportunity to become even better.
We can learn from Sylvia's story because it's one that teaches you shouldn't give up on your dream. Persevere and you can succeed anything. I love how darling the illustrations are. There's a brief history of Bookmobiles in the back that's intriguing as well. This is an inspirational read that would be great for children who want to dance too.
Final Verdict: I would recommend this to fans of ballet, history, inspirational stories, and following your dreams.
This review can also be found on YABC: https://www.yabookscentral.com/kidsno...
When her teacher notices Sylvia's talent, she offers to pay for her to learn dancing lessons. However, she grew up in a time where African Americans faced struggles like not being accepted into a ballet class. So, she continues to teach the others and then they perform in the school talent show. Here, she learns of Madame Sawicka, a dance teacher who came from Russia, and she sees an opportunity to become even better.
We can learn from Sylvia's story because it's one that teaches you shouldn't give up on your dream. Persevere and you can succeed anything. I love how darling the illustrations are. There's a brief history of Bookmobiles in the back that's intriguing as well. This is an inspirational read that would be great for children who want to dance too.
Final Verdict: I would recommend this to fans of ballet, history, inspirational stories, and following your dreams.
This review can also be found on YABC: https://www.yabookscentral.com/kidsno...
August 19, 2022
An inspirational book about how Sylvia taught herself ballet from books (and watching TV).
It helps that she apparently was naturally musical.
Her parents couldn't afford lessons. A school teacher offered to pay, but none of the studios they visited would take a black girl. She was discouraged by that, but then inspired to keep going by a group of neighborhood girls that she taught.
In high school, a Russian teacher taught her for free.
Sylvia grew up to run a dance studio of her own and taught many dancers.
It helps that she apparently was naturally musical.
Her parents couldn't afford lessons. A school teacher offered to pay, but none of the studios they visited would take a black girl. She was discouraged by that, but then inspired to keep going by a group of neighborhood girls that she taught.
In high school, a Russian teacher taught her for free.
Sylvia grew up to run a dance studio of her own and taught many dancers.
September 9, 2019
The impact of a bookmobile is shared in this wonderful true story about a ground-breaking ballerina!
September 23, 2020
Really fascinating biography of Sylvia Townsend, who taught herself how to do ballet by checking out ballet books from her small town's bookmobile. I was inspired by Sylvia's persistence under adversity, and the way that her loving parents, and community members (teachers, librarians, and dance instructors) all gathered around her to help her achieve her dreams.
Back matter of the book includes more details about Sylvia Townsend's life, a little bit of history about black ballerinas, and a history of book mobiles. A really informative, cute, and enjoyable read.
Back matter of the book includes more details about Sylvia Townsend's life, a little bit of history about black ballerinas, and a history of book mobiles. A really informative, cute, and enjoyable read.
December 31, 2020
For any girl who wanted to dance!
Before Misty Copeland, there was Sylvia Townsend. Sylvia was a young black girl who studied Ballet from books borrowed by her towns' local Bookmobile. Unable to join most Ballet schools, she finds her own way to becoming a spectacular Ballerina.
Hear young Sylvia's story, told through beautiful illustrations about a young girl who dreamed, worked hard and pursued it, with some very helpful and influential friends.
Before Misty Copeland, there was Sylvia Townsend. Sylvia was a young black girl who studied Ballet from books borrowed by her towns' local Bookmobile. Unable to join most Ballet schools, she finds her own way to becoming a spectacular Ballerina.
Hear young Sylvia's story, told through beautiful illustrations about a young girl who dreamed, worked hard and pursued it, with some very helpful and influential friends.
Read
November 18, 2020This is a lovely true story about Sylvia Townsend, an African American girl who loved to dance and taught herself ballet from books she got through her town bookmobile. No dance classes in 1950s segregated America would admit an African American girl, so Sylvia taught herself until finally a teacher, impressed by how much she had taught herself, allowed her into class. Pair this with books about Misty Copeland and other Black ballerinas for young dancers everywhere.
February 4, 2020
The heartwarming true story of Sylvia Townsend and how she overcame considerable obstacles to realize her dream of becoming a ballerina. The text flows beautifully and the illustrations are appealing. A note from Sylvia Townsend at the beginning adds authenticity, and the back-matter helpfully provides more details about the time setting, and the history of bookmobiles.
September 17, 2020
With the rise of fame for dancers like Misty Copeland, this book is a great addition to any collection! Don't let the fact that Sylvia Townsend isn't a household name deter you from reading and getting this book. The intersection of libraries, bookmobiles, and ballet create an inspiring story.
October 22, 2020
Based on a true story of a little girl who wanted to learn ballet but couldn’t take classes because she wasn’t white so she taught herself & her friends thru books. Sweet story that really impacted my little girl 💝
April 17, 2020
Loved this picture book biography. End notes have references and further reading along with a picture timeline of book mobiles. I love the connections between following dreams and reading books!
September 12, 2020
Loved the connection between setting a goal and using a bookmobile to achieve it!
November 19, 2020
This book reminded me how much I would love to be a part of a renewed resurgence of Book Mobiles! Also, I am reminded how important it is to get books into the hands and hearts of my students.
November 20, 2020
I just love this story, of how she learned ballet and so much about dance from books!
June 30, 2020
This is a very enjoyable story of Sylvia Townsend's life as a ballerina.
August 23, 2020
The illustrations seemed a little less polished, but the story was told beautifully.
July 17, 2020
This book has absolutely gorgeous illustrations that almost remind me of Vashti Harrison whom I love. An absolute must-have for any library and great for personal collections. It is a celebration of the power of books to change lives. Sylvia Townsend Became one of the first black ballerinas and she was self-taught out of books from her local bookmobile. She then taught other Black girls in her neighborhood who also couldn’t learn since Black girls were not allowed in ballet school.
October 1, 2020
This picture book is the inspiring, true story that teaches perseverance. With support from her family and teacher and information from books, Sylvia pursues her dream of being a dancer and she succeeds. The real Slyvia's note in the beginning is nicely written. However, the author's note at the end had a statement that made me raise an eyebrow and wonder if it had some agenda overtones, but I think the actual story is one worth reading to youngsters. The brief histoy of bookmobiles is also worth sharing - I'm all about spreading the love of libraries and teaching their importance!
Great for: K-3rd
Teaches: biography, book appreciation
Great for: K-3rd
Teaches: biography, book appreciation
February 20, 2020
Love, love, LOVE everything about this book. The authors have such great sense of voice-reading you can just hear someone telling this story with heart and soul, it reads with the rhythm of a song. The story overall is just so inspiring. Young Sylvia has so much spirit and grit, she is definitely someone for my young ballerina to look up to. There are elements of classism and racism within the book which led to some important conversation with my preschoolers.
The foreword by Sylvia Townsend is just perfection. I want to learn more about her and I just get the sense that she is a really inspiring person-I am excited to read more. The author’s note at the end goes a bit further into what Sylvia had to go up against and furthers the historical context. And the sub story involving the bookmobile is expanded on here too, including fascinating photos of early bookmobiles.
The illustrations are adorable and detailed. The characters are expressive and you can feel their movement through the pages. I really loved the attention to the trends and the styles of the time, which give a strong sense of setting.
The foreword by Sylvia Townsend is just perfection. I want to learn more about her and I just get the sense that she is a really inspiring person-I am excited to read more. The author’s note at the end goes a bit further into what Sylvia had to go up against and furthers the historical context. And the sub story involving the bookmobile is expanded on here too, including fascinating photos of early bookmobiles.
The illustrations are adorable and detailed. The characters are expressive and you can feel their movement through the pages. I really loved the attention to the trends and the styles of the time, which give a strong sense of setting.
October 27, 2021
Reviewed for CBR13 Here
We're gonna start off today's review by (potentially? I don't think I've talked about this here before) learning a new thing about NTE: I used to be a dancer. Before my body decided that anything that required even standing was completely out of the question (so from age 3-15, basically), being a dancer was a major part of my identity.
I danced five days a week - tap, ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, & pointe. Pointe was - by far - my worst class (I had started pointe as a teenager, after one too many sprained/fractured ankles, and could never just get the 'up and over your toes' routine down); lyrical ballet was my best (turns out that having a genetic disease that makes you super flexible comes in handy for things like leg extensions and high kicks, bad for joint stability though it may be). I was a member of our studio's dance company, which competed in (and won some) local & regional competitions, & I taught classes on my off days to cover some of the expenses of my own classes. I also taught just because I loved teaching, particularly the tiny little pre-ballerina three and four year olds, who would spend the first few weeks of class just learning not to stare at themselves in the giant walls of mirrors.
You all already know that one of the other joys of my life is reading, so you can imagine that just reading the title of Ready to Fly: How Sylvia Townsend Became the Bookmobile Ballerina by Lea Lyon & A. LaFage, I was all in. And I'm so glad our library had a copy, because this is a great, entertaining, & important story.
Sylvia Townsend's real life story starts the way a lot of dancers stories start: She felt music in her body from as far back as she could remember, and it always made her want to move. Her dad's jazz, her mama's classical music: It didn't much matter what, music meant movement to her. And after seeing some ballerinas perform Swan Lake on TV, she knew exactly what she wanted to do: Learn how to be "leap & twirl & do plies til she can dance in real ballets." Unfortunately, her family couldn't afford the lessons to make that dream come true, so Sylvia had to find another way to make it happen. And she did. She asked her local bookmobile librarian about books that could teach her the skills of being a dancer, and page by page, skill by skill, book by book, she learned all the positions & movements of ballerinas on her own, at home. Eventually, the other girls in her neighborhood saw her dancing, and asked her to teach them how to do it too, until she'd got them all releve-ing their way through whole routines. Her teacher saw her skill - at both dancing and teaching the other girls - and offered to pay for 'real' lessons for her, but Sylvia, who is African American was then in 1950s suburban California, was turned away from all the dance schools because of her color.
"School three whispers, "it just can't be," letting the real reason slip - ballet is for white girls. Is ballet not for girls like me? Those words pluck the feathers from my wings. My dancing feet don't feel the beat. My tutu goes back to Mama's scarves. I tuck away my slippers and tell the librarian I won't need more books."
Fortunately, the setback wasn't enough to keep Sylvia's toes from twirling: Her friends still came searching for lessons, and Sylvia was the only one who could teach them. Eventually, she teaches them a routine good enough for the school talent show, where they shined like the stars they are. And someone important noticed, too: A famous Russian ballet teacher who cares only about dancing, and not about skin color then invited Sylvia to take real ballet classes for free, and Sylvia excelled. And she never stopped giving the girls in her neighborhood lessons, either, eventually opening a school of her own, which is how the authors found out about her story, and were inspired to share it.
The book also includes both a foreword by Ms. Townsend herself - which touches on the topic of encouraging children in their dreams, and those that helped her along the way - and, after the end of the story, some reference information about bookmobiles, more biographical information about Ms. Townsend, her dance company & school, and some other modern African-American ballerinas of note, complete with photographs & bibliography to look up more information if you want it.
The Cringe.
The illustrations are both charming and evocative: The one white lady from the ballet school's face in the picture where they're actively discriminating against Sylvia bc of her color is the perfect amount of *cringe*. The artwork where Sylvia is dancing, totally lost in the music? Powerfully beautiful. Jessica Gibson's illustrations here walk the perfect balance of dreamily soft & perfectly realistic, right down to the tiny details: Exemplified best, I think, by the picture of Sylvia on the stoop with her class of friends, each with unique hair style & texture, their own attempt at properly positioned footwork, their faces each showing a different level of understanding their current lesson, and yet, all still gorgeous.
The Joy
This book basically hits the Swan Lake Fouttes for me (the ballet equivalent of a grand slam): You got ballet, and teaching ballet; You got books, bookmobiles & librarians making a real difference in a child's life; You got the historical social justice aspect of giving a finger to racial discrimination in the the heyday of Jim Crow laws; You got a childhood dream achieved in real, actual life; And you've got a story told with heart, evocative illustrations, and ballerina-like grace.
If there's a tiny dancer in your life, I suggest you add this to their wishlist.
PS, I'm using this for my Sportsball square in CBR13 Bingo, because I will fight you if you try to tell me that dancing is not a sport.
We're gonna start off today's review by (potentially? I don't think I've talked about this here before) learning a new thing about NTE: I used to be a dancer. Before my body decided that anything that required even standing was completely out of the question (so from age 3-15, basically), being a dancer was a major part of my identity.
I danced five days a week - tap, ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, & pointe. Pointe was - by far - my worst class (I had started pointe as a teenager, after one too many sprained/fractured ankles, and could never just get the 'up and over your toes' routine down); lyrical ballet was my best (turns out that having a genetic disease that makes you super flexible comes in handy for things like leg extensions and high kicks, bad for joint stability though it may be). I was a member of our studio's dance company, which competed in (and won some) local & regional competitions, & I taught classes on my off days to cover some of the expenses of my own classes. I also taught just because I loved teaching, particularly the tiny little pre-ballerina three and four year olds, who would spend the first few weeks of class just learning not to stare at themselves in the giant walls of mirrors.
You all already know that one of the other joys of my life is reading, so you can imagine that just reading the title of Ready to Fly: How Sylvia Townsend Became the Bookmobile Ballerina by Lea Lyon & A. LaFage, I was all in. And I'm so glad our library had a copy, because this is a great, entertaining, & important story.
Sylvia Townsend's real life story starts the way a lot of dancers stories start: She felt music in her body from as far back as she could remember, and it always made her want to move. Her dad's jazz, her mama's classical music: It didn't much matter what, music meant movement to her. And after seeing some ballerinas perform Swan Lake on TV, she knew exactly what she wanted to do: Learn how to be "leap & twirl & do plies til she can dance in real ballets." Unfortunately, her family couldn't afford the lessons to make that dream come true, so Sylvia had to find another way to make it happen. And she did. She asked her local bookmobile librarian about books that could teach her the skills of being a dancer, and page by page, skill by skill, book by book, she learned all the positions & movements of ballerinas on her own, at home. Eventually, the other girls in her neighborhood saw her dancing, and asked her to teach them how to do it too, until she'd got them all releve-ing their way through whole routines. Her teacher saw her skill - at both dancing and teaching the other girls - and offered to pay for 'real' lessons for her, but Sylvia, who is African American was then in 1950s suburban California, was turned away from all the dance schools because of her color.
"School three whispers, "it just can't be," letting the real reason slip - ballet is for white girls. Is ballet not for girls like me? Those words pluck the feathers from my wings. My dancing feet don't feel the beat. My tutu goes back to Mama's scarves. I tuck away my slippers and tell the librarian I won't need more books."
Fortunately, the setback wasn't enough to keep Sylvia's toes from twirling: Her friends still came searching for lessons, and Sylvia was the only one who could teach them. Eventually, she teaches them a routine good enough for the school talent show, where they shined like the stars they are. And someone important noticed, too: A famous Russian ballet teacher who cares only about dancing, and not about skin color then invited Sylvia to take real ballet classes for free, and Sylvia excelled. And she never stopped giving the girls in her neighborhood lessons, either, eventually opening a school of her own, which is how the authors found out about her story, and were inspired to share it.
The book also includes both a foreword by Ms. Townsend herself - which touches on the topic of encouraging children in their dreams, and those that helped her along the way - and, after the end of the story, some reference information about bookmobiles, more biographical information about Ms. Townsend, her dance company & school, and some other modern African-American ballerinas of note, complete with photographs & bibliography to look up more information if you want it.
The Cringe.
The illustrations are both charming and evocative: The one white lady from the ballet school's face in the picture where they're actively discriminating against Sylvia bc of her color is the perfect amount of *cringe*. The artwork where Sylvia is dancing, totally lost in the music? Powerfully beautiful. Jessica Gibson's illustrations here walk the perfect balance of dreamily soft & perfectly realistic, right down to the tiny details: Exemplified best, I think, by the picture of Sylvia on the stoop with her class of friends, each with unique hair style & texture, their own attempt at properly positioned footwork, their faces each showing a different level of understanding their current lesson, and yet, all still gorgeous.
The Joy
This book basically hits the Swan Lake Fouttes for me (the ballet equivalent of a grand slam): You got ballet, and teaching ballet; You got books, bookmobiles & librarians making a real difference in a child's life; You got the historical social justice aspect of giving a finger to racial discrimination in the the heyday of Jim Crow laws; You got a childhood dream achieved in real, actual life; And you've got a story told with heart, evocative illustrations, and ballerina-like grace.
If there's a tiny dancer in your life, I suggest you add this to their wishlist.
PS, I'm using this for my Sportsball square in CBR13 Bingo, because I will fight you if you try to tell me that dancing is not a sport.
July 17, 2019
I absolutely love the opening author’s note from Sylvia Townsend about hopes and dreams. The hopes for parents, for the book, and for children are really something special.
The illustrations, including the details like the wood paneling, rugs, and furniture in the rooms of the house, transport you to the past.
I love that Sylvia takes matters into her own hands to make herself tutus, and get books to teach herself about ballet. This go-get-it attitude is exactly what we hope to instill in our kids. I especially liked that they included the part about her sharing her talent and teaching other kids ballet as well. Additionally, the use of the ballet vocabulary is a nice touch. The historical images of the bookmobiles were really cool to see.
The illustrations, including the details like the wood paneling, rugs, and furniture in the rooms of the house, transport you to the past.
I love that Sylvia takes matters into her own hands to make herself tutus, and get books to teach herself about ballet. This go-get-it attitude is exactly what we hope to instill in our kids. I especially liked that they included the part about her sharing her talent and teaching other kids ballet as well. Additionally, the use of the ballet vocabulary is a nice touch. The historical images of the bookmobiles were really cool to see.
January 27, 2020
This is an excellent book, but because it's trying to cover several issues in such a short book, it has small flaws. For instance, it's trying to cover a girl's love of dance, her love of books, the support she gets from teachers, family and librarians, and the flaws of a segregated society, all in 40 pages.
That said, it's a wonderful introduction to Sylvia Townsend and her personal legacy as a dancer and a dance teacher. It's also a very inspirational book about learning things on your own and finding the people and resources that can and will offer you help.
That said, it's a wonderful introduction to Sylvia Townsend and her personal legacy as a dancer and a dance teacher. It's also a very inspirational book about learning things on your own and finding the people and resources that can and will offer you help.
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