Not Just Tutus [Hardcover]

Rachel Isadora (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Ballet isn't just about tutus. It's hard work! It's kicking left when everyone is kicking right. Worrying if you'll fit into your costume. Getting on stage and realizing you forgot to use the bathroom! Aching backs and sore feet. Dizziness and stage fright. But there is also that magic feeling when the curtains part and the show begins . . .

In short, funny poems, Isadora takes an honest, irreverent look at the mishaps and the triumphs in the world of ballet-all captured in gorgeous pen and ink drawings that are sure to make any dancer smile

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 4-Short, often humorous poems introduce a troupe of endearing young dancers, describing their aspirations, endless toil, and the ultimate thrill of performing. In the first section, "Dreams and Practice," the boys and girls do endless stretches and bends ("Nose to knees/And splits while sitting/Toes on head/You gotta be kidding"); make mistakes ("I turned around/And struck a pose/She turned left/And banged my nose"); yet still manage to keep their hopes alive. In the second part, "Makeup and Lights," the children experience the ups and downs of being on stage. These verses touch upon topics such as costumes that don't quite fit, getting a case of the last-minute jitters, losing one's tights during a glorious leap, and reveling in applause. One poem sums up the reason for all of the hard work: "I put on wings/Just watch me fly/I turn and jump/And touch the sky." Printed on salmon-colored paper, the elegant pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations depict dancers of all shapes and sizes. Beautifully rendered, the pictures incorporate graceful moves and poses with realistic glimpses of children fidgeting, fooling around, grandstanding, and having a good time. Although filled with lighter moments, these poems depict dancers with a real sense of commitment to their art, making the book most appropriate for youngsters who have taken a few steps beyond Katharine Holabird's "Angelina Ballerina" books (Pleasant Co.).
Joy Fleishhacker, formerly at School Library Journal
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

K-Gr. 3. Beginning ballerinas will see themselves in this new book by Isadora, who started dancing at age eight and trained at George Balanchine's School of American Ballet. Children will be drawn by the three adorable dancers on the dust jacket--not all of whom are smiling. Each page offers a short rhyme. Some rhymes are more successful than others; a few are quite tortured ("It doesn't matter / if you're the best in the room. / if you don't fit / into the costume"). Like many books, this captures the magic of performing, but Isadora also realistically shows the tribulations and irritations that make up a young dancer's career: blisters and bunions, stage fright, and having to "pee" in the middle of the dance. The short text and the pen, ink, and watercolor artwork on buff-colored paper make this right on target for the audience, which is, perhaps, best represented by the young dancer who declares, "I know that I'm short / I know that I'm round / But I want to dance / So I stand my ground." Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Putnam Juvenile (February 10, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399236031
• ISBN-13: 978-0399236037
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #688,194 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

45 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars No more tutus, June 14, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Not Just Tutus (Hardcover)

So I'm in a bookstore, picking up yet another copy of 'Wheels on the Bus' for my toddler, when my six year old asks for a book too. I agree and she finds this one. I'm thinking that this is just a little girl ballerina book, so I buy it without, unfortunately, READING it first.

I sat down with my daughter to read it when we got home, and the farther I read, the more horrified I became. An excerpt:

"She is thin
And she is tall
And she is pretty
They've got it all

I know I'm short
I know that I'm round
But I want to dance
So I stand my ground"

*If that isn't the prelude to encouraging an eating disorder, I'll eat my hat.

Here's more:

"If you fight backstage
Go far away
The audience hears
Whatever you say"

or

"It doesn't matter
If you're the best in the room
If you don't fit
Into the costume"

*This book is for five and up?

About 25 years ago, I was in a regional ballet company. As a result, I have many concerns about very young children doing ballet on this level. This book isn't about dolly dinkle dance recitals or dreaming of tutus which is what I thought would be in this book.

No, I don't think that the woman who wrote this book meant any harm, but then again, she hasn't a clue about parental concerns and dance or she wouldn't have written the book this way. I'm sure those who 'love dance' will love this book. I used to love dance until I saw what it did to the bodies and minds of young people. There is a serious difference between enjoying dance class and this stuff. And considering that this book is for very young girls, I think that it's inappropriate fare. I think it's a bad set up for the future if they take it to heart. This isn't something that I want to normalize for my kid. However, it's a real taste of the dance world. And it reminded me as to why I'm so careful as to what sort of activities that I allow my child to get into. JMO, but if your kid is six and it isn't merely fun, they shouldn't be doing it. And no tiny tot should be in pointe shoes...

The irony is, by the time the child would be old enough to handle this stuff on a real level, they wouldn't be reading children's books.

The book is being returned. I would have given it NO stars, but that wasn't an option.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars kind of depressing, December 16, 2004

By 

MN reader and parent - See all my reviews

This review is from: Not Just Tutus (Hardcover)

my 4 year old has been telling me she wants to be a ballerina for the past few weeks. my husband picked this book up at the library and it can't go back fast enough. my girls love the book, but I do have a problem with some of the messages it is sending, as true as they may be. the "so thin, so pretty so tall, she's got it all" message is disturbing especially passing that message on to a 4 and 2 year old.
my only hope is that the mention of bunions and the sore feet and all the other negatives illustrated will actually discourage my dds from wanting to be ballerinas.
even aside from the messages, i didn't think the book was particulary well written.
i'd suggest looking for a more positive book.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For the ballet lover, July 16, 2003

By 

Harry (Pensacola) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Not Just Tutus (Hardcover)

Just adored this book and felt compelled to let everyone know how great it is. I think Isadora's illustrations and text were right on. I love ballet and used to dance when I was younger. I even performed so can identify with all aspects of this book. I will purchase it for any ballet dancers I know and hope it has a high profile amongst ballet lovers wherever they are!