Review by Booklist Review
Pearl loves taking classes at her mother's ballet school, where she's the smallest student (except for Violet, her tutu-clad, mouse-like stuffed animal). When Mom mentions the possibility of Pearl attending preschool, the little dancer doesn't see the point. Learning how to count? She knows how to count: "First position! Second position! Third position!" But when Pearl hears about activities such as finger painting and listening to stories, she talks it over with Violet, who decides to try preschool. At Mom's suggestion, Pearl goes too. After Pearl builds with blocks, plays instruments, and dresses up like a mouse, Mom returns with a hug. And what was Pearl's favorite part of preschool? Dancing! The quiet, well-phrased text provides the story's structure as well as moments of understated humor, while letting the expressive illustrations show elements of the story never mentioned in the text, such as a subway ride and a ballet performance. Created digitally, the artwork depicts the children, in particular, with a winsome quality that suits the story well. A pleasing picture book for young dance lovers.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
In this winsome, taut story, a timid child warms to the idea of preschool with her mother's tactical nudging and her own ingenuity. Cherubic Pearl is the smallest dancer at her mother's ballet school--except for Violet, her stuffed mouse, which she clutches while practicing at a barre she can't quite reach. "Violet and I already go to school," Pearl counters when her mom mentions preschool. But after learning that she'll have a chance to paint a sugar plum fairy and listen to such stories as The Nutcracker, Pearl shifts her stance, announcing that Violet wants to attend preschool after all. It's a wise decision on the mouse's part, and both have a fine time during a day that's fetchingly chronicled in pictures rendered digitally by Fortenberry with lithe lines, soothing hues, and subtle yet effective emotion. This charming antidote to preschool anxiety contains a deftly measured dose of sweetness. Ages 2--5. (July)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-K--A mother prepares a child for her next phase in life in this gentle picture book about starting preschool. Pearl is used to school--ballet school that is. Her mother teaches dance and Pearl is the youngest and smallest there (apart from Violet, her ballerina mouse). When her mother proposes preschool with children her own age, Pearl is tentative and curious. Mom supplies the answers to Pearl's questions throughout the course of their day: returning to their apartment via subway, drawing and reading, attending a ballet performance, and getting ready for bed. The next morning, Violet and Pearl decide they are ready for school. The story's focus is not on worry or apprehension regarding school, rather the exploration and processing of what it means to try something new. The mother does not push the issue, and lets Pearl guide the conversation as they draw comparisons between ballet and the activities at preschool. Pearl narrates; her three-year-old's voice is precocious and sweet. The illustrations are just as gentle as the story; though rendered digitally, they look like well-executed watercolors. Mom is chic and stylish, and Pearl is adorable with a mop of short curly black hair. Both are white, while the scenes at both schools and the ballet performance show a diverse cast. The illustrations are active as they portray the city life of this two-person family. VERDICT A recommended purchase for back-to-school collections.--Clara Hendricks, Cambridge P.L., MA
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Review by Horn Book Review
Why should ballet-loving Pearl go to preschool when she already spends every day at her mom's dance school? When Mom points out that Pearl can learn different things at preschool, such as the alphabet and counting, Pearl's not convinced: "'I know how to count,' I say. 'First position! Second position! Third position!'" Their conversation continues as they head home from the dance studio, attend a performance of The Nutcracker, and share a ballet story before bed. Before she falls asleep, Pearl tells her ballerina mouse toy, Violet, everything she knows about preschool, and "Violet" decides preschool sounds okay after all. The next day, Pearl (with Violet in tow) gives preschool a try; she has a blast making new friends, finger-painting, playing dress-up, and making music. Pearl infuses her love of ballet into each of these activities, and when Mom later asks about Pearl's favorite part of the day, the answer, naturally, is "dancing!" Told primarily in simple dialogue between mother and daughter, this gentle story presents starting preschool as a new but not altogether unfamiliar or frightening experience. Digital illustrations in a line-and-watercolor-wash style with a soft palette portray Pearl in nearly perpetual motion among diverse classmates at both schools and are full of ballet-themed details to appreciate. Katie Bircher November/December 2020 p.71(c) Copyright 2020. 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 little girl who loves ballet learns that preschool can also be wonderful. Preschooler Pearl attends the children's ballet class that her mother teaches. She loves everything about ballet, but now her mother has suggested a regular preschool class. Pearl has her doubts, but her mother reassures her. Pearl can learn to count, says Mom. Pearl responds by performing and counting the basic ballet positions--in a New York City subway car. Mom also lists other exciting things she can do in preschool, such as finger painting and dressing up. There are stories to read in preschool, like The Nutcracker and even new ones. Pearl is finally convinced and is able to assure stuffed bear Violet. The first day is a success for both Pearl and Violet as the child paints, plays with blocks, drums, and dresses up--and all her activities are suitably balletic. The painting is a swan, the music is a march, and the costume is a mouse. All in all, it's a good time for a little girl, with dancing the best part, of course. The softly colored illustrations, outlined in black, are very appealing and feature a lovely double-page spread of Pearl and her mother attending a classic ballet performance. She and her mother are white, and the other children are diversely represented, including a boy of color in the ballet class. Tender and sweet comfort. (Picture book. 3-6) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
