Dancing in the Wings

We checked this book out from the library a couple of years ago and thankfully was able to find it in here. My daughter’s currently in ballet and she loves reading stories about ballerinas so it’s nice to see a story with a character that looks like her for a change

Sassy dreams of being a dancer, and performing in ballet. Different from the kids her age, she prepares and auditions for the opportunity to make her dream come true. With humor and well defined characters, the story will move and entertain you. The beautiful illustrations complement the story. My daughter loves dance and this book provides the positive message I want for her: Dream, work hard, believe in yourself, and as a result good things can happen. You will enjoy reading this with a child.

I'm a fifth grade elementary school teacher and work in a black neighborhood. Recently our theme for the week was the biography of the famous ballet star, Evelyn Cisneros.Unfortunately, our school library did not have any information on Cisneros at the time. Instead, our media specialist read this wonderful book by Debbie Allen of "FAME" fame. Well, let me tell you, my students never laughed so hard during a book. They just simply loved it. Put-downs are a fact of life, especially (and unfortunately) in elementary school. I think the students really got the message loud and clear and in a fun and interesting, not preachy, way. As a class, we discussed how people are different and we need to accept others without making fun of them. It was also clear that we sound horrible when we tease and taunt each other, too. There were really great points of discussion above and beyond ballet and dancing.Debbie Allen is truly talented and not just as a dancer! My students learned about the world of ballet, which was new to them. They were engaged while being read to and afterwards enjoyed talking and laughing about this book. I found it to be a tremendous teaching tool in that it opened up many topics of discussion that week and students connected to this book in an exciting way. It spoke to them in their own language and that's a difficult thing to do! My students can be hard to reach through books and yet Debbie Allen accomplished it with ease.The pictures were a delight, very expressive. I will buy this book now and use it in my classroom every year. I strongly recommend this book as a teaching tool, in all neighborhoods. I hope Allen writes more for children soon.

As a woman who is used to being the tallest female in the room, this book was a delight for me. It's clear to her father and I that our 3 year old daughter will be following in the footsteps(size 10 1/2) of her mother. We read this book now and then because it's never too soon to promote a positive self-image. I want my daughter to embrace her size and be proud of who she is.

Dacing in the Wings stole my heart! The main character Sassy is someone little girls (and big girls) can identify with. I was seaching for a gift for my niece who is facing the challenges of growing up different. The support Sassy receives to pursue her dreams is encouraging and heart warming. The family unit is realistic and beleivable, with just a touch of magic. Allen really captures the essence of triumph. The illustrations by Kadir Nelson leap from the pages to colorize this this very orginal story. The artwork makes this story a keepsake worth having. The multi-cultural nature of the book makes it a treasure for all families bookshelves!