Brontorina

Brontorina Apatosaurus wanted, more than anything else, to be a dancer. Unfortunately she was rather large - so large she didn't quite fit in Madame Lucille’s Dance Academy for Girls and Boys - and didn't have the right shoes. Still, at the prompting of some of her enthusiastic human pupils (and her own kind heart), Madame Lucille permitted the eager dinosaur to join her class, and was subsequently amazed at her agility and grace. But no amount of grace could hide the fact that Brontorina was just too big... or was she?

I enjoyed this humorous picture-book exploration of ballet, body type, acceptance of self, and making resources work for all different kinds of students. I liked the fact that Miss Lucille realizes that the problem show more isn't with her student, but with her facility, as I think this is an outlook - that the group should change, rather than the individual - that can be very helpful, when dealing with all kinds of issues, from disabilities both physical and academic, to group dynamics that prove unwelcoming to newcomers, or those who are different in some way. The artwork by Randy Cecil is appealing, emphasizing the humor in Brontorina's participation in the class. Recommended to anyone looking for amusing ballet stories, or children's books that address issues of body type. Those looking for a slightly more realistic take on a somewhat large ballerina should also pick up Debbie Allen's Dancing In The Wings, about a young girl who is far taller than many of her fellow pupils. show less

This book about a brontosaurus who wants to dance is good on so many levels. The dinosaur really wants to dance, but she isn't the right size and doesn't have the right shoes. She is told to leave because she doesn't fit in, but in the end, the teacher decides to find a space that can accommodate her and all is well. Many children (and adults) would like to do things, particularly sports like dance, but feel like they can't because they're not the "right" size or don't have the right equipment. This book would help them and others realize that they should follow their dreams.
The illustrations in this book are colorful and whimsical, and very pleasing.

"It all began with a dream." Brontorina is a dinosaur who wants to be a ballerina, despite being humongous and not having the proper shoes. Her dance instructor is supportive, as are some of her classmates, but it becomes clear that Brontorina is just too big for the studio. Or could it be that the studio is just too small? Delightfully expressive drawings spill over the edge of the pages, often filling the entire spread. The text is a bit on the long side but lends itself to editing for boisterous read-alouds. The montage of ballet moves in the middle of the story is both adorable and educational (awesome new French vocabulary).

Brontorina dreams of dancing - but she's a dinosaur and she doesn't have the right shoes. With the ballet students' encouragement, Madame Lucille takes her as a pupil anyways, but it's a disaster! Although she's dedicated and graceful, she's just too big and Madame Lucille asks her to leave. Then a student's mother brings a pair of shoes that's just right for Brontorina and the whole studio decides to find a place big enough for Brontorina to dance. Finally, they set up an outdoor studio for "girls and boys and dinosaurs", incidentally providing Brontorina with a male dancer big enough to lift her.

This is a cute and funny story about following your dreams and making sure everyone's included. It's a bit silly for my tastes and I found show more the weird placement of eyes on the people odd - I think they're supposed to be looking sideways, but they just look like they have 3 eyes. Still, dinosaur and ballet lovers will enjoy this sweet story.

Verdict: Recommended, this will be a good storytime read to satisfy both your dinosaur lovers and ballet lovers - as well as parents who want a story with a "message". show less

Brontorina has always dreamed of becoming a ballerina, but for a long time she was unable to because she was a dinosaur. Now that Madame Lucille let her join her class, she was having a blast. But unfortunately, the class was too small and they had to find anew studio. This way, everyone was happy and no one was left out.

Howe does a great job with this story. It is an incredible way to show children that they can become almost anything they want to be, and it does not matter who you are. I love how the dance school was for girls and boys, because typically people tend to think dancing is only for girls and not boys. It is a children's book that helps break stereotypes.

What do you do if a very large, very orange dinosaur wants to become a ballerina? If you’re Madame Lucille, you let her dance! Brontorina the dinosaur is given the chance to make her dancing debut at Madame Lucille’s studio, but unfortunately her awkward size causes some problems. The other students are constantly ducking Brontorina’s swooping tail or almost getting smushed by her giant feet (which don’t fit into ballet shoes, either!). The oil illustrations have a rough, almost grainy quality to them. The gently humorous story, along with the inspiring message (always follow your dream!) makes this a terrific choice for storytime. Recommended. For ages 3-6.

This book is a fun way of telling kids they can do or be whatever they want to be. For instance, a dinosaur being a ballerina is a silly thing to think about but that's exactly what this book is. She wants to be a ballerina and doesn't care of her obstacles and eventually neither does anyone else. The book ends with an adorable scene of the dance class being moved outside so anyone or anything (cows, dinosaurs, etc) can dance. Adorable.