Review by Booklist Review
Clumsy Princess Brianna Bright longs to become a ballerina. She piqués and pivots, but trips into the palace pond. She pliés right into her pet poodle. She even grand jetés into the king's chair. Her father suggests that maybe ballet isn't her talent. Frustrated and distraught, Brianna tries ice skating, baking, and soccer, but nothing feels right. One day, though, she sees two knights fencing and her stomach flutters. She tells her parents that fencing is for her. They disagree: Fencing is too pointy. She continues to practice, until one day, she spies thieves in the garden and, with a mixture of ballet and fencing moves, manages to save the day. Calvert's message is surprisingly unique: you don't have to have one hobby you focus upon; you can have two or even more. Hee's soft, colorful illustrations have a sunny Disney vibe, and the general tone makes it great pick for storytime even for those who turn up their noses at princess books! Calvert introduces plenty of ballet and fencing terminology along the way and even includes a glossary.--Camargo, Rosie Copyright 2018 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Horn Book Review
Princess Brianna Bright loves ballet and fencing, but she isn't very good at either--until thieves steal jewels from the castle, and Brianna combines ballet moves with fencing to save the day. Calvert cleverly points out similarities between ballet and fencing in this tale of girl power. Hee's digital illustrations are slick and twee but capture the strength and grace of Brianna's movements. Glos. (c) Copyright 2019. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A stylish princess works hard to distinguish herself and find her true calling.Tutu-clad princess Brianna loves ballet but just cannot master the stepssteps she tries to execute on the palace grounds and not in a studio with a teacher. After a conversation with Pixie, her pink, salon-groomed poodle, she decides to try other pursuits, but "finding a talent" is not an easy goal to meet. Neither cooking nor soccer is hers to master. Then she discovers fencing, and discarding her tutu for a one-piece ensemble adorned with ribbons, she practices. Alas, this does not lead to mastery for clumsy Brianna, who runs through the drills of swordplayonce again by herself, without an instructor. Then, one night, thieves make off with the palace's sparkling jewels, and Brianna is successful in foiling them by combining the steps, moves, and balances of ballet and fencing. Thus one princess discovers her two talents and earns her titular title. Hee's brightly colored digital illustrations feature a pale-skinned, beribboned Brianna with a perfectly coifed black ponytail and big black eyes. Descriptive words and verbs are emphasized in differently colored type, usually pink. For those who prefer their princesses brave and perfectly pretty. (brief glossary of ballet and fencing terms) (Picture book. 3-6) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
