Over in the Meadow at the Big Ballet [Hardcover]

Lisa Shulman (Author), Sarah Massini (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 10, 2007 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: K and up

The annual ballet is coming up, and everyone in the meadow is getting ready. The frogs are practicing their pliés, the hedgehogs are sewing costumes, and the rabbits and fluffy-tailed squirrels are busy painting the sets. Trouble is, the little swan with the starring role isn’t quite sure she’s ready for the stage. But with the help of her teacher, Miss Faye, the nervous swan spends every spare minute rehearsing—and when her moment in the spotlight finally arrives, a star is born.

This fresh spin on the classic rhyme will leave every young dancer yearning for a chance to shine.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-K–Using the familiar framework of the classic poem's lilting verse, the author depicts a young swan's experience as the solo ballerina in a grand dance performance, led by Miss Faye, a cat who is her ballet teacher. All of the meadow creatures–frogs, hedgehogs, squirrels, and geese–come together to erect scenery, practice, sew costumes, and dance to the animal orchestra. The timid swan, who has worried and practiced all week, does beautifully, upheld by the encouragement of Miss Faye, and the outdoor show under the lights comes to a satisfying conclusion. Both text and illustrations capture perfectly the excitement and nervousness of putting on a production. The jewel-toned artwork done in ink, acrylic, and oil is energetic and endearing. Although not a necessary purchase, young ballerinas will take this title to heart and be entertained.–Judith Constantinides, formerly at East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA
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About the Author

Lisa Shulman lives in northern California.

Sarah Massini lives in England.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Putnam Juvenile (May 10, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399242899
• ISBN-13: 978-0399242892
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 8.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,477,266 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I grew up in the San Francisco Bay area where I began writing stories and poems when I was six years old. When I was 10 I sent one of my books to a publishing house, and received my first rejection letter. Many rejections followed, as well as a few acceptances for my poetry, stories, and nonfiction for adults. I taught preschool and elementary school for years, but never thought about writing for children until my daughters were born. It was while I was reading picture book after picture book to them that I began to think about writing children's books. Many of the ideas for my books came from things my girls said and did. Old MacDonald had a Woodshop was my first published book, but it was not the first book I sold. That book was The Moon Might Be Milk, which will be published by Dutton Children's Books in Spring 2007, with wonderful illustrations by Will Hillenbrand. I still live in Northern California with my husband, twin daughters, and the world's friendliest dog and cat.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars My five-year-old loves it., November 5, 2008

By 

R. Detzner "N. Rubel" (Champaign, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Over in the Meadow at the Big Ballet (Hardcover)

My five-year-old daughter loves this book. Gets heavy rotation. The dance angle is fine, but the two things that grab her are the song that she can sing out loud, and the storyline about a shy creature getting nudged on stage where she shines. Which aptly describes my little girl. Her twin sister likes the book, but hasn't connected with it as much.