The Horn Book Guide

PRESCHOOL

McClintock, Barbara

Emma and Julia Love Ballet

32 pp. | Scholastic | March, 2016 | Trade ISBN 978-0-439-89401-2 $16.99

(1) PS McClintock follows young Emma as she goes to her ballet lesson and professional dancer Julia as she attends company class and rehearsals, pointing out similarities in their days ("Both teachers make them work very, very hard"). A lively mix of page layouts keeps the pattern fresh--as do several differences between the characters. This is an engaging and matter-of-factly diverse (Julia is African American) behind-the-curtain look at a ballet dancer's life.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2016