“TALLULAH’S TUTU,” by Marilyn Singer, illustrated by Alexandra Boiger, Clarion Books, $16.99 (ages 4-8)
How many little girls started ballet lessons because they wanted to wear a tutu?
Tallulah knows she could be a great ballerina — if only had a tutu. So she starts taking ballet lessons. She loves her class and thinks she’s doing well, but at the end, no tutu!
Maybe the tutu is still in Paris, Tallulah thinks. It’ll come by plane next week, she’s sure. But after the next class, all Tallulah gets is a kiss on the head. It must be stuck in New Jersey, she decides.
After not getting a tutu after her third lesson, Tallulah declares she’s done with dancing. But Tallulah can’t stop dancing — she loves it! And with a little practice, she might just get her tutu.
As a former dancer, I couldn’t help but fall in love with “Tallulah’s Tutu” by Marilyn Singer. It captures a child’s enthusiasm for dance and the joy that comes from it.
Illustrations depicting dancers are often fun but inaccurate when it comes to ballet positions — what’s pretty to them may not necessarily be correct. I appreciated Alexandra Boiger’s attention to detail, capturing the movement without sacrificing reality. It was also nice to see bent knees and imperfect turnout — Tallulah is just learning after all!
“Tallulah’s Tutu” is the perfect package. I loved every page. Though, my favorite was the title page with Tallulah sitting on a stool, eyes closed, toes pointed and a smile on her face.
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt is offering a fun online activity kit in conjunction with “Tallulah’s Tutu.” Click here for party invitations, games, ballet position flashcards and a Tallulah paper doll.
