Katharine Holabird

Funnily enough, I'm docking a star for the reason another reviewer hates the newer editions: gendered roles talking about getting chased by little boys versus other mice (are we starting the "they like you if they're mean" this early?) Mrs. Mouseling is doing most of the housework while Mr. smokes his pipe, I guess?

But the main theme is: enroll your kids in activities so they don't bounce off the walls to and from school and with hard work, will be big in their fields, I guess?

Angelina Ballerina comes to stay with her Aunt Violet and cousin Jeanie in the Big Cheese - a murine version of New York City - in this entertaining seventeenth entry in the picture-book series chronicling her many dancing adventures. In addition to touring the city, Angelina is to perform in the Big Cheese Dance Show. But then Jeanie teases her, claiming that tap dance is better than ballet, and she becomes discouraged. Will she find her confidence again, and will she and Jeanie learn that show more there are many wonderful forms of dance, each as beautiful as the next...?

With its ballet vs. tap-dance theme, Angelina's Big City Ballet reminded me a bit of Marilyn Singer and Alexandra Boiger's Tallulah and the Tap Shoes, in which two girls at dance camp together - a ballet-lover and a tap-dance-lover - must learn to appreciate new artistic forms and dance disciplines. I appreciated that aspect of the story, and the heartwarming resolution of the main plot dilemma here, but my favorite thing about this book was the way in which it offered a charming, mousy version of New York City, with shops like Parmesan Park Avenue and sites like Empire Cheddar Building. Helen Craig's artwork, as in other Angelina Ballerina books, was colorful and charming, matching the tone of the book perfectly. Recommended to all young ballet (and tap!) lovers, and to anyone who has read and enjoyed other stories about this dancing mouse. show less

Imagination soars into a magical world of fairies, music and adorable mishaps.

It's Twinkle's first day at The Fairy School of Magic and Music. Not only is she excited, but she's nervous too! Upon arriving, she receives her own magical wand. The teacher leads them into the first exercise with important magical words, but Twinkle can't seem to get it right. When the teacher tells her to practice at home, but strictly warns that Twinkle shouldn't do this after it gets dark, silly chaos ensues. show more

The super sweet cover with sparkles and swirling clutter fits so well to the rest of the story. Even the first flip of the cover is a treat as a gorgeous fairy tree with tons of precious details spreads across the jacket. This alone captures young and old's attention with all sorts of small things to discover. When the first page is turned, a fun adventure begins.

The story has all of the happy, joyfully-petite feelings often associated with fairies. And Twinkle is a sweet one. Her slightly clumsy side makes her sympathetic and easy to cheer for as she struggles to get things right. She's determined, kind and puts in so much effort. The idea that not everything comes easily but can take practice and hard work is a message little listeners will relate to themselves. While the message is clear, it by no means takes over the fun story. There are tons of moments to giggle, and cute animals to want to cuddle. And all of this is wrapped up in a wonderful tale, which can be read again and again.

The illustrations flow right along with the text. While the story itself can be told over and over again, the pictures add so much detail and delightful fun. It's the illustrations which give Twinkle life and make her attempts to learn her magic hit home.

This is a delightful read for all fairy, magical lands, and pink fans.

I received a complimentary copy and found this story so sweet (as did the kids I read it to) that I wanted to leave my honest thoughts. show less

After peeking in his window at Christmastime, Angelina befriends a lonely, retired postman who in turn helps cheer up her cousin Henry, who is sulking about not being able to meet Santa.

I never got into the Angelina Ballerina franchise and this wisp of a story does nothing to draw me into her world. Being a kind peeping tom who dances ballet is not much of a personality.