Angelina Ballerina Review

Manufacturer: Viking Juvenile
Author(s): Katharine Holabird

ISBN: 0670060267 EAN: 9780670060269
Binding: Hardcover
Pages: 32
Reading Level: Ages 4-8

Average Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Retail Price: ~~$13.99~~
Online Sale Price: $10.97
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Angelina Ballerina is the picture book that first introduced Angelina to her adoring fans. This tiny dancer has proved to have enormous staying power—she has been a hugely popular character for more than twenty years. And Angelina’s popularity only continues to grow. She is even the spokescharacter for National Dance Week.With Katharine Holabird’s lively writing and Helen Craig’s charming illustrations, the original story about the feisty little mouse who wants nothing more than to dance still keeps young ballerinas leaping with delight.

User Submitted Angelina Ballerina Reviews

June 15, 2008
Angelina is a pretty mouse who just wants to be a ballerina
Angelina is a pretty mouse who just wants to be a ballerina, and dances all the time - but she's so busy dancing she forgets about everyday things like cleaning her room or eating, and her parents don't know what to do with her. Their decision to bring her down to earth will change her life in this engaging classic story for ages 3 and older.

January 2, 2008
A lovely book
I recently received this book at a baby shower, and I think it is such a sweet story. I have since then given my niece the same book for her to enjoy.

July 6, 2007
An inspiring tale
My 2 year old daughter received this for her birthday this year and loves it! The story of Angelina, the little mouse who dreams of being a ballerina and keeps practising, to the exclusion of all else is something that strikes a chord in any one who has had a serious interest in something, be it dance, sports, etc. I would say that this book is not just for aspiring ballerinas, but for any child that is keen on pursuing an interest seriously. And I love the fact that towards the end, Angelina's parents take her passion for dancing seriously, and buy her a tu-tu & sign her up for classes...it gives hope to a child and that is absolutely priceless. A wonderful, inspiring tale of dreams that turn into reality. The illustrations are a delight too!

May 12, 2007
For my Mom.
I bought this book for my mom. Lots of kids show up at her house.

December 7, 2005
a mom's review....
beautifully illustrated, heartwarming childrens stories. Even though the Angelina stories are geared towards girls, my little boy, at 8, enjoyed these as well, especially when mom read to him. These are good stories to read to your child at bedtime.

The artwork is detailed and delightful to look at-you'll see new things each time you look, and children love that that every scene is filled with many little mice.

This Angelina story deals our hopes and dreams(in Angelina's case constant dancing)-to follow your dreams but at the same time know there is a time and place for fun, and a time to do your work. Each book is filled with wonderful life lessons told in a gentle, non preachy way.

I highly recommend this series for any child.
5 stars!

January 4, 2003
Adorable Book For Your Ballerina
Angelina Ballerina is a little mouse, whom loves to dance. She dances all over the schoolyard, and through the house. Finally her parents enroll her in a ballet class, where she becomes one of the best students.

Angelina Ballerina is enjoyable for little ballerinas of all ages. Not only will it encourage your little ones to read, but to also have faith in themselves when trying something new. The illustrations will also make you and your little ones smile in excitement. A must have book for all ballerinas.

October 17, 2002
My daughter's favorite!
We bought this book at a festival of books. The author did a reading and then signed the books. Ever since then, my 5 year old, Xotchitl, has not put it down! It is a great book! She is hoping that Santa Clause will bring her the rest of the Angelina books!

September 8, 2002
Best Children's Ballet Book
I think that Angelina inspires young dancers to fulfill their dreams. She is spunky and delightful. It's the perfect little gift for a young child. They don't have to be interested in ballet to enjoy this book. I am a pre-professional ballet dancer. This book means a lot to me for it was my favorite book when I was younger and it still is one of my favorites.

August 1, 2002
Fun for any aspiring ballerina
Katharine Holabird's "Angelina Ballerina" is fun for any aspiring ballerina. Angelina Mouseling--a wee white mouse--loves to dance, to the exclusion of all other activities. She won't clean her room, she won't help clear the table, she listens to neither her mother or her father because she is dancing, dancing, dancing at every waking moment. Everything changes when her parents recognize that her interest needs to be taken seriously. Mr. and Mrs. Mouseling do just that when they go shopping and come home with--ooooh!--a ballerina's tutu for Angelina to wear.

Shortly thereafter, Angelina begins ballet lessons. Her perseverence pays off and she becomes a famous ballerina. In the interim, however, the attention her parents have paid to her love of ballet pays off in the form of her willingness to do all the things she didn't want to do before, because now she can dance all she likes in ballet class and in recitals.

I agree with the comments that have been made about the subdued sexism here. Angelina is presented as someone who is too fast and too nimble for the boys on the playground, but later in the book--once she has gotten what she wants--she is described as letting the boys catch her after all. It's a jarring note in an otherwise perfectly charming book.

Special mention must be made of Helen Craig's detailed, charming drawings. She doesn't completely anthropomorphize the mouse characters--they are clearly little animals, with anatomically correct limbs and quivering whiskers, but Craig somehow manages to humanize them and make them utterly winsome and dear. All around a very nice book for the aspiring ballerina!

July 29, 2002
Foolish
The art is perfectly charming. The story, on the other hand, is rather predictable.

One fairly major problem I have with the story is this: One of the "problems" caused by Angelina's love of ballet is that "she twirled and spun across the playground so fast that none of the little boys in her class could catch her, and they were all very cross," and when the problem is solved, "she even let the boys catch her on the playground sometimes."

Having said that, I must add that my three-year-old adores the book and wants to hear it over and over.

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