New Books Focus on Achieving Your Goals. A Bunny in the Ballet By Robert Beck Best for: Ages 4-8
Every girl with a tutu and toe shoes, who dreams of dancing in the ballet, will enjoy Desiree Rabbit’s journey to stardom. She lives in Paris and she loves to dance, so Desiree finds herself a dance school and puts the extra effort in to reach her goals. She doesn’t let hazing or naysayers get in the way. Before long, Desiree is offered a part as a bunny in The Nutcracker. There is no dancing, but Desiree doesn’t pass on the opportunity. And it’s a good thing she doesn’t, because another opportunity arises during the performance that could make Desiree a star.
Beck’s ink and watercolor artwork adds movement and fluidity to the page that melds with the story. The minimalist lines and sweeping strokes add a dreamlike quality to the dance. Although the lines aren’t crisp and precise, as ballet requires, they do offer the light and airy quality desired in a prima ballerina.
What’s good: We can all learn from Desiree’s can-do attitude. What’s bad: The illustrations don’t capture the precision of ballet, but they do capture the energy. A Home for Mr. Emerson By Barbara KerleyIllustrated by Edwin Fotheringham Best for: Ages 8-12
The team that brought you The Extraordinary Mark Twain and Those Rebels, John & Tom is back with a tale about Ralph Waldo Emerson. This biography is highly condensed and focuses on his desire for a “home.” Emerson buys a farmhouse in Concord, MA, gets married, plans a garden and begins having a family. He extends his gracious home into the community with kind words, a helpful hand and friendship to all. So, at 69, he takes it very hard when his house burned in a fire. Many of his worldly goods are rescued, but Emerson takes the devastation very hard.
Emerson’s neighbors and family convince him to travel overseas. Along with his daughter, Emerson sees England, Italy and Egypt. The entire time he wistfully thinks of his home and his dear wife. Upon his return, Emerson is greeted with a hero’s welcome. It is then that Emerson realizes the town of Concord is welcoming its family member back home—Emerson’s home had become much more than a house.
What’s good: It’s a biography that children will find fun to read.
What’s bad: Skips much of what Emerson actually wrote about.
The Dumbest Idea Ever! By Jimmy Gownley Best for: Ages 10-14
Jimmy dreams of writing his own comic books. And after a rough start with a mash-up of Lord of the Rings and Star Wars, his best friend gives him the idea to write about their group of friends. While Jimmy is writing his comic book, he also is going through everything an eighth and ninth grader goes through: schoolwork, relationships, sports, insecurities and egos.
It’s a moving story with which most middle school kids will be able to relate. The best part: Jimmy learns that hard work can also be rewarding. He loves creating his comic, even when it is a struggle. Kids will really appreciate this story when they realize that it is based on the author’s own childhood.
What’s good: A great moral offered by an authentic story. What’s bad: A few choppy transitions and a couple subplots seem to get dropped to focus on the main storyline.