Angelina Ballerina by Katharine Holabird, Helen Craig (Illustrator)

From the Publisher

Angelina Ballerina is the picture book that first introduced Angelina to her adoring fans. This tiny dancer has proved to have enormous staying power—she has been a hugely popular character for more than twenty years. And Angelina’s popularity only continues to grow. She is even the spokescharacter for National Dance Week.With Katharine Holabird’s lively writing and Helen Craig’s charming illustrations, the original story about the feisty little mouse who wants nothing more than to dance still keeps young ballerinas leaping with delight.

Publishers Weekly

The heroine of Angelina Ballerina , it turns out, is as deft an entertainer twirling on ice as she is performing an onstage pas de deux. Here the spunky, diminutive mouse organizes a New Year's Eve figure skating show. With characteristic aplomb she overcomes a number of obstacles, including two pesky young hockey players who repeatedly interrupt her rehearsals. A confrontation between these ``big boys'' and Angelina erupts into a pond-wide snowball fight, vividly portrayed by Craig in a motion-filled, double-page illustration. This spectacle--as well as captivating depictions of both indoor scenes and the ice extravaganza--more than justifies the artist's top billing on the book's cover. But Holabird's narrative percolates steadily, and words and pictures culminate in a jubilant final scenario replete with well-deserved fireworks. Ages 3-7. (Nov.)

Children's Literature

In this charming picture book, a young mouse named Angelina Mouseling wants to dance more than anything else in the world. She dances everywhere--at home, at school, even in her dreams. She's so wrapped up in her dancing that she forgets to listen closely, tidy up her room, get ready for school and watch where she's going. Not knowing how to handle the situation, Angelina's parents put their heads together and devise a clever plan. They purchase a pink ballet dress and slippers and enroll their young dancer in Miss Lilly's Ballet School. This decision turns out to be an excellent one. Angelina practices her twirls, curtsies and plies during ballet lessons and no longer feels the need to dance all over the place. After her first day of classes, she declares "I'm the happiest little girl in the world today" and soon becomes a better listener and helper. Helen Craig's whimsical illustrations perfectly capture the spirit of Katharine Holabird's wonderful story. Readers of all ages will enjoy this delightful tale. It's a pure winner! 2000, Pleasant Company Publications, Ages 4 to 8, $9.95. Reviewer: Debra Briatico—Children's Literature

Parent Council Reviews

It is a rare children's book that depicts the long years necessary to fulfill an ambition. Angelina wants to dance, so she starts ballet lessons and orders her life until she does indeed become a great ballerina. This sweet, well-illustrated story is a book that little girls will want to read again and again! A perfect gift for any young ballerina. 2000, Pleasant Company, $9.95. Ages 3 to 8. Reviewer: A. Braga SOURCE: Parent Council Volume 8

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