Customer Reviews

Josephine Wants to Dance

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4 star:		(1)
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This lovely Australian import created by the award- winning team of Diary of a Wombat (Clarion, 2003) will delight preschool children. Josephine is a Kangaroo who loves to dance and learns her steps from the graceful movements of other animals like brolgas and lyrebirds; their motions are described in evocative similes that stretch the imagination, "she swayed like the lyrebirds as they call to their sweethearts." Her brother Joey loudly tells her, "Kangaroos don't dance" but Josephine ignores him and continues to seek ever more inspiration: Then a ballet company comes to town and Josephine wants to dance "in a pink tutu, with silk ballet shoes." The illustrations express and extend beautifully this humorous and lively tale. Josephine is depicted dancing on her toes and doing pirouettes; her body is always a swirl of motion as she strikes one dramatic pose after another. At one point she hides in a garbage can outside the ballet practice room window so she can learn how to perform the ballet. When Josephine actually performs the ballet on stage, her very attentive and expressive audience is featured in a dynamic and amusing double spread that shows various different people but also includes a sheep and a dog family: the puppy's ears are all that is visible in one chair. The design of this book is lovely from the eye- catching cover that shows Josephine dressed in a tutu and ballet slippers to the many endearing illustrations that stand out beautifully from a warm pink background. The font is easy on the eye and large font size is used for declarations, "I can't dress a kangaroo!" says the costume designer. Enjoy using this book in story times and if you display the bold cover, patrons will snap it off your shelves.

I went to Barnes and Nobel in Australia looking for a great children's book. I came across this book and fell in love with story but didn't want to pay $28 at the store. Josephine the kangaroo wants to be a dancer more than anything but everyone keeps telling that she isn't meant for it...to make a long story she achieves her goals with flying colors. This is a great book and a great lesson for everyone. Enjoy!

Reviewed by Olivia Alejandre (age 4) for Reader Views (12/07)

Mom's review / summary:
I love this book! Not only does Josephine follow her dreams to be a ballerina, even though her brother continually tries to discourage her, but she does it through her OWN intuition and initiative! She doesn't wait for someone else to encourage her or help her find a creative solution to becoming a dancer. She goes out and finds a way herself. Wow! Thank you Jackie French!

My daughter Olivia and I had read five new books and I asked her which one was her favorite - she pointed to this one. She connected with the story AND the artwork - that's relatively rare for someone of her age (she just turned 4).

I wish there was more background with the artwork, especially on the pages where Josephine danced on stage. I was hoping that Olivia could get a visual of Josephine being on a stage in front of a crowd and not being scared. She might remember that someday when she is in a recital or concert of some kind. The artwork looked too similar from page to page (minor issue compared to all the positives of this book).

Olivia's review:
"Josephine loves to dance. `Don't dance, Josephine! Kangaroos don't dance; they hop.' Josephine still danced and she danced over her brother. There was a ballet class going and `I am going to go to the ballet class.' Josephine sneaked into the door and the girls in ballet class hurt their legs. There's a kangaroo dancing; that kangaroo can really do ballet. And he makes a dress for Josephine and some slippers. `Come out of there,' said Josephine's brother. `No, I'm going to dance,' said Josephine. She can jump higher than anyone. Last dance was from Josephine."

Some quotes from Olivia about "Josephine Wants to Dance":
"Is Josephine a rat?"

"Pretty." (Josephine dancing)

"She has to try to dance because she's never done it before." [Mom]: "And, what happens if she practices?" [Olivia]: "She gets better. And, then her brother is dancing! And, her brother doesn't have to tell her that anymore."

[Mom]: "What do you think about someone telling you that you can't do something?"
"Mean."

Book received free of charge.

Jackie French's JOSEPHINE WANTS TO DANCE enjoys Bruce Whatley's zany story of a kangaroo who doesn't want to hop, but dance. Josephine dreams of being in the ballet, but everyone rejects the idea and won't let her - until the prima ballerina twists has ankle on opening day and Josephine at last displays her talents. A fine story of achievement and possibilities.

Josephine wants to dance. She practices her bounces and leaps with the long-legged birds. When she sees a poster for a ballet, she dreams of wearing a tutu and silk ballet slippers. Sneaking into town to watch the ballet rehearsals only makes her want to dance more.

Her brother, Joey, doesn't understand. He just keeps reminding her she is a kangaroo and what she does is jump, not dance.

On the day of the first performance, the prima ballerina twists her ankle and Josephine has the chance to live her dream. Will she do it well enough? Will the show go on? This is an adorable, pink book reminding children not to give up on their dreams, even when they seem impossible. The combination of story and illustrations is delightful and sure to make for a fun time.

Armchair Interviews says: We're never too young-or too old to live out our dreams.