From #1 New York Times bestselling author Sharon M. Draper comes a debut picture book about a timid little ballerina who learns that the show must go on—and will—with a little help from her friends.

Bella loves ballet class and listens hard to the music so she can tippy-toe turn, point, and plié in perfect time. When Madame announces a recital, Bella is determined to do her best. But when she tries to stretch up to leap lightly like a cloud, she wobbles and almost topples—luckily, a friend catches her.

Now, Bella’s nervous; maybe she can’t do this like she thought she could. On recital day, when the curtain goes up and the dancers get in position, Bella freezes. Can she find her courage in time to take the stage?

About The Author

Photograph (c) Sharon Draper

Sharon M. Draper

Sharon M. Draper is the New York Times bestselling author of Out of My Mind, Blended, and Out of My Heart. She’s won Coretta Scott King Awards for Copper Sun and Forged by Fire and multiple honors. She’s also the recipient of the Margaret A. Edwards Award honoring her significant and lasting contribution to writing for teens. Sharon taught high school English for twenty-five years and was named National Teacher of the Year. She lives in Florida. Visit her at SharonDraper.com.

About The Illustrator

Ebony Glenn

Ebony Glenn is a children’s book illustrator whose whimsical and expressive imagery can be found in Mommy’s Khimar and Brave Ballerina: The Story of Janet Collins, among others. Passionate for the arts and great storytelling, she lives in the outskirts of Atlanta with her family.

Product Details

Publisher: Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books (October 15, 2024)
Length: 40 pages
ISBN13: 9781534463967
Ages: 4 - 8

Raves and Reviews

With digital illustrations sparkling with stars, set against pink, yellow, and blue backgrounds, the pages are cheery, like a trip to a candy store. Keeping the energy levels high, Glenn depicts the characters’ swirls and twirls. [...] Readers will appreciate this gentle tale that emphasizes the importance of helping a friend in need. Told in chirpy rhyming verse, the simple narrative would be a good read-aloud. Portraying dancers of various ethnicities, with Black adults as teachers, this title also offers a refreshingly inclusive depiction of ballet. A gracefully illustrated, uplifting story for young balletomanes.

– Kirkus Reviews, 9/15/2024

A cast of children portrayed with various skin tones takes the stage in this kindness-centered collaboration set in a dance class, where “tippy-toe tutu,/ tippy toe twirl,/ Bella Ballerina/ loves to spin and whirl.” As the brown-skinned child learns new vocabulary and skills, occasional wobbles result in classmates steadying her or helping her up. When a big show places Bella in front of a crowd, prompting her to linger anxiously in the wings, another friend’s need creates an opportunity for her to jeté to the rescue.

– Publishers Weekly, 9/23/2024