Marilyn Singer’s charming Tallulah series reminds me of Fancy Nancy but with a ballet twist. My daughters never took to dance though I had enrolled Grasshopper and Sensei in Boston Ballet’s Preschool Ballet program when she turned four.
Grasshopper and Sensei’s first ballet class at the Boston Ballet. They got tutus for the photo! She is 2nd from left.
It was probably my fault. She only had a few weeks to go before her class ended for the summer and she said that her ballet shoes were too tight. Instead of buying a new pair, I just let her use the old pair which made her feet hurt by the end of class. Feet hurting = no dance. That was it. No more ballet for her.
I think this is the first time PickyKidPix has donned a tutu.
I tried with PickyKidPix when she was in preschool too. Being separated from me for her class was a deal breaker. I got a full refund from The Boston Ballet School after she cried the entire first class.
If you have a young ballerina — either girl or boy — this lovely picture book series might be hit at your house! It won’t be at mine so I am giving away all four books AND a pink tutu!
Tallulah Picture Book of the Day
There’s always a gentle message of setting goals, overcoming obstacles and not getting discouraged in each of these four Tallulah ballet picture books as she progresses through her ballet classes. Tallulah works hard so why aren’t things happening faster? Her tutu? Her solo? Dancing on point? Her role in the Nutcracker?
Marilyn Singer has a gentle way of showing the ups and downs of life through Tallulah’s eyes as she dances ballet and Alexandra Boiger’s lovely watercolor illustrations will appeal to little girls and boys whether they like to dance or not.
Tallulah’s Tutu by Marilyn Singer, illustrated by Alexandra Boiger
Tallulah badly wants a tutu so her mom enrolls her in ballet. She practices and practices, both at home and in ballet class, but it feels like she’s never going to earn her tutu! Frustrated, Tallulah decides she is done with ballet but everything reminds her of ballet so she returns to class the next day. Will she get her tutu finally? [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Tallulah’s Solo by Marilyn Singer, illustrated by Alexandra Boiger
Tallulah is back and she’s convinced her little brother Beckett to learn ballet too. She has a new goal: a solo in the winter show! When the parts are cast, Tallulah does not get the princess role she wanted, but Beckett is cast a frog despite fooling around constantly in ballet class. When the show draws near, Beckett needs help to dance his part and Tallulah takes pity on him and helps him. She might not have the solo this year, but her work does not go unnoticed and there’s always next year! [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Tallulah’s Toe Shoes by Marilyn Singer, illustrated by Alexandra Boiger
It’s a big step to dance En Pointe but Tallulah is too young to wear pointe shoes. She has to wait until her feet stop growing. When an older dancer throws out a old pair, Tallulah secretly brings it home to try them out. Is she really ready to dance on point? [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Tallulah’s Nutcracker by Marilyn Singer, illustrated by Alexandra Boiger
Tallulah gets to dance in a professional production of The Nutcracker. At our local Boston Ballet School, this is the epitome of dance achievement for their young ballet students. Tallulah is cast as a mouse but when it’s time to perform, she accidentally steps on another mouse’s tail and disaster strikes! Will the show go on? [picture book, ages 4 and up]
Tallulah Ballerina Picture Book Series GIVEAWAY
To enter the giveaway, please fill out the Rafflecopter below. I’m choosing 4 winners; one for each book so please leave a blog comment and let me know your first, second and third choice.
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I’m hoping Anna will take to dance. My other girls did not – but Anna already likes to dance around, so we’ll see…
Here are my picks:
1) Nutcracker
2) Solo
3) Tutu
4) Toe shoes
These books look adorable!
Hi MaryAnne,
I think even non dancers will like the books! Thanks for entering!! I could not get either of my girls to dance much either.
I would take any of them. I guess the Tutu book would be my first choice.
Thanks for entering Valerie!
My preferences are:
Tutu, Nutcracker, Solo, Toe Shoes.
Thank you for entering Wehaf!
My daughter took ballent for many years, but it wasn’t her thing either. But, it helped her turn her feet out and become a little more graceful. She found her love in horseback riding.
But, I do know a granddaughter and another little girl who would enjoy any of the ballet books. They do remind me of Fancy Nancy, The Very Fairy Princess series etc,
Hi Patricia,
YES! A Fancy Nancy version with a ballet twist! Good comparison!
Toe shoes,tutu,nutcracker, solo.would be my pick order.
Thanks for entering Anne!
I’d choose
1. Solo
2. Tutu
3. Nutcracker
thanks!
Thanks for entering Kristen!
I would love to win any of them!
Thanks for entering Ashley!
Please sign me up to win those books
Hi Cianneh,
Did you fill out the Rafflecopter form? Thanks!
My choices would be..
1 TuTU
2 Toe Shoes
3. Nutcracker
4. Solo
Thanks for entering MJ!
I would love any of them but my top choices are:
Toe shoes
solo
tutu
Thanks so much!
Thanks Stephanie! Good luck!
Any of them! What a cute series!
Hi Laura,
I think girls would love these books! Thanks for entering!
The Nutcracker would be my first choice, but I would love any of them.
Hi Leslie,
Thanks for entering! If your daughter has seen The Nutcracker, it would be a nice tie in!
My picks:
1. Nutcracker
2. Toe Shoes
3. Tutu
Thanks for entering Nicole!
My daughter loves dancing and any of these would be wonderful.
Thanks for entering Bonnie! A dancer would love this series! Good luck!
I would like any one of the books.
Thanks so much for entering Shirisha!
This is fantastic. I could see my niece ( the would be ballerina!) loving any one of these. It might really help that they seem to focus on some of the frustrations along the way…!
As for choices:
1. Solo
2. Tutu
3. Toe shoes
Thank you for having this giveaway!
Hi Apis,
What a great point! It is a good series for kids learning to overcome obstacles and/or set long term goals. Thanks for entering!
My daughter Mahie who is 6 has been taking ballet since she was 3 and loves it. We have Tallulah’s Tutu & Tallaulah’s Toe Shoes and we love this series.
Choices:
1. Solo
2. Nutcracker
3. Tutu
4. Toe Shoes
Thanks for entering Pamela! I hope you win a book that you are missing!
Any of them would be fun but I think my daughter would like the Nutcracker one the best.Thanks,Lucy
kidsmathteacher.com
Thanks so much for entering Lucy!
Ah! If only I had a girl!! 🙂 Thanks for sharing at After School!
Hi Stephanie,
Definitely a girl-y series!
My daughter Tal, is 1 she is already a little ballerina. Before she learned to walk she was dancing! 🙂 This series of books would be a wonderful beginning <3Choices:1. Solo2. Nutcracker3. Tutu4. Toe Shoes
Thanks so much for entering Christine! Tal shoulds like she’d love the Tallulah series and her name is perfect for it too!!!
I know right?!!
Lol I didn’t even think about it.
🙂