Review by Booklist Review
This boldly illustrated alphabet book pays homage to musical theater's leading ladies of the past and present. The goal here seems to be admirably to cram as many women into the spotlight as possible. Many letters stand for one actress, the letter usually correlating with her first name. Patti Lupone, in the P spread, would never dream of sharing; she's pictured in her famous role of Eva Perón. But Barbra Streisand and Barbara Cook share the B slot, and while F and S are technically men (Bob Fosse and Stephen Sondheim), the pages are filled with the women who famously acted in their shows. Lively quatrains accompany each spread, while four pages of bios at the end offer further information. Some illustrations tend toward caricature and a few letter choices are a stretch Bernadette Peters is Q, because she's the queen but altogether this is a thorough, eye-catching introduction to women of the theater and their seminal roles. It might be a more geared toward the adults in the room, but budding theater lovers will get a thrill.--Maggie Reagan Copyright 2019 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
This inclusive rhyming abecedarian begins with Audra McDonald and ends with Liza Minnelli. A roster of showstopping women (though Bob Fosse and Stephen Sondheim elbow their way in) and iconic female roles are shouted out in quippy, singsong verse--" 'I's for Idina,/ whose vocals you'll know/ from Wicked or Rent/ or from 'letting it go.' " The book is really meant for Broadway buffs, with the text offering fawning raves in lieu of contextualizing information ("She's brilliant and bold and has talent in meters... Ladies and gentlemen, Bernadette Peters!"). Captions identify each performer and role, and Emmerich's flattering caricatures, paired with each verse, are colorful and slick, bringing Broadway's drama to the page. An index offers brief career highlights for each individual mentioned. Ages 3--7. (Nov.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 4--As in traditional alphabet books, each page features a single letter; beyond that, Allman takes liberties with the format. Some pages highlight one actress; others examine two or more. F is for Fosse, the famed choreographer, but the accompanying illustration includes four actresses, two who have played Velma and Roxie in Chicago. S is for Sutton Foster, tap-dancer extraordinaire, but also for Stephen Sondheim. Some letters correspond to characters such as Dolly (Hello, Dolly) and Rose (Gypsy). In an effort to be inclusive, X is for 32 additional "eXtra-eXceptional" divas. Allman lists the full name of the actress, the musical in which she starred, and the year she performed that role at the bottom of each page. After Liza with a "Z," Allman elaborates with short bios of everyone mentioned, citing additional roles, talents, and awards bestowed. The digitally crafted portrait-style illustrations focus on the women in costume, with bright colors and distinct lines. Occasional background details suggest settings or include props but leave the ladies in the spotlight. VERDICT The simple, rhyming text and cartoon illustrations will entice young readers. Theater aficionados will also get a kick out of this catalogue of leading ladies and the conversations it will inspire. A sure hit for thespians of all ages.--Lynn Van Auken, Oak Bluffs School, MA
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Women of the Broadway theater take center stage in this loving homage.Past and present are represented, from Ethel Merman and Pearl Bailey to Kelli O'Hara and Audra McDonald. Several women whose great talent lit up the stage in one special play, such as Aida's Heather Headley and Fela!'s Lilias White, are also given a place in this admiration society. They are introduced in alphabetical order, sometimes using first names, sometimes last names, and sometimes the parts they played. Steven Sondheim is given a nod for the substantive female characters he created, and Bob Fosse for his unique choreography that allowed multitalented displays. Each entry appears as a clever verse in four-line abcb form, honoring the star's talent or highlighting a particular role for which she is most known. The verses are accompanied by Emmerich's digital illustrations, which accurately capture the individuality and facial features of the performers as they joyously play to their audiences. Full names of the women and the titles and dates of the shows they are depicted in appear in very small white print at the bottoms of the pages. A double-page spread of thumbnail portraits includes 32 additional divas. Allman obviously loves these performers and wants young readers to get to know them, but most of these children will probably need an adult who is a Broadway aficionado to guide them and perhaps put some show music on their playlist.A lively introduction to a whole new cast of heroines. (biographical information) (Informational picture book. 8-12) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
