Not Just Tutus

by Rachel Isadora

Enhanced with full-color illustrations, a picture book offers a collection of amusing poems about the struggles, sacrifice, and thrills of being a performing ballerina.

Genres: Picture Books, Poetry, Childrens

40 pages, Hardcover

First published February 10, 2003

About the author

Rachel Isadora is an award-winning children's author and illustrator. She has written children's books on multiple topics including ballet, life in America and Africa, and has illustrated several Brother Grimm tales in an African setting. She is most well-known for her Caldecott Honor Award book "Ben's Trumpet". She was a ballet dancer before she became an illustrator and children's writer.

Reviews

[Sophia Amborn]

This is a really fun book for those who are interested in dancing. I grew up dancing and I do find that this information is accurate. It paints a wonderful picture of what it is like to be a dancer. I would definitely have this in my classroom library, because I think it is good to have books that align with students interests outside of school. This is a good book for those who are in K-1st grade or even 2nd grade.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Realistic Fiction. I read this book for my author study. This book is very relatable to students who play any sports or compete in anything. I would probably use it as a read aloud before a big concert or performance of some sort.

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very sweet book about the realities of the pain of practice and everything that can go wrong during a show - and yet the overwhelming drive to keep going.

[Erik · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked the art. The 4 line poems are mostly good but bounce around from page to page. They're all ballet related but I would have preferred more of a through line. As other reveiwers have mentioned, these poems aren't all in the spirit of "Everyone can be a ballerina!" Most are fun but a few point to the realities of how much work dance is and how hard it can be to break into the competitive dance world, though there are also several about sticking it out regardless of what others think.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the short verses as each child sums up a challenge. A dancer has to deal with being so motivated to move that she dances in the apartment and breaks a vase. Or be so driven that she's exhausted and yet still wants to go on. Or she may suffer from self-esteem issues if not as tall or slender as the other girls. Or he may feel his tights dropping in the middle of a series of leaps during performance.

I admit that I had trouble realizing, at first, that different children were 'speaking' on different pages. There is diversity, but the line drawings and the similar hairstyles and practice outfits make them look too similar to me... and it would have been neat to get to know them each just a bit better.

Still, the book felt appealing and accurate to me. I'd love to know what someone who did study ballet as a child thinks of its value.

[Moriah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story gives an interesting view of a little girl's idea of what a ballerina should be and a comparison to how she views herself. Each page is set up with the left age her view of a characteristic of a ballerina and the left page the characteristic she actually has. The little girl keeps pursuing her dream of a dancer even through the rough times. In the end she has a dance performance and gets a round of applause at the end. Her hard work pays off. The theme of perseverance is repeated throughout the story in an interesting and unique way.

[Denise · Rating 1 out of 5]

"It doesn't matter if you're the best in the room if you don't fit into the costume." Here's more: "She is thin and she is tall and she is pretty." I also like the part where the little kid's feet are all beat up and sore. Darling. What a terrible book for little girls. Not!

[Sam · Rating 1 out of 5]

You can't judge a book by it's cover. The text of this book is not sweet and cute, but rather negativity amplified. Not the for-sure-winner I thought I was getting for my 3-year-old crazy-about-all-things-princess-and-ballet. Surprised. Disappointed.