Ballerina Picture Book Series of the Day

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 ballet classes 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 a 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 as 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 an 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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My books:

 Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me

Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me

Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World

• Junior Library Guild Gold selection
• Massachusetts Book Award Long List
• Selected as one of 100 Outstanding Picture Books of 2023 by dPICTUS and featured at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair
• Starred review from School Library Journal
• Chicago Library’s Best of the Best
• 2023 INDIES Book of the Year Awards Finalist
• Green Earth Book Award Long List
• Imagination Soup’s 35 Best Nonfiction Books of 2023 for Kids

 Amazon / Barefoot Books / Signed or Inscribed by Me

Amazon / Scholastic / Signed or Inscribed by Me