Emma and Julia Love Ballet

Though they do not meet until the end of the book, two ballerinas--an African-American young woman named Julia and a Caucasian girl named Emma--mirror each other throughout the day. McClintock (My Grandfather's Coat) uses a warm narrative voice and precise illustrations to highlight the similarities and differences between their routines: "They both stretch and move until their muscles are warm," and while "Some of Emma's friends dream of dancing on Broadway. Some of Julia's friends do dance on Broadway." Beyond emphasizing the care and passion both Emma and Julia bring to their dancing, McClintock does a lovely job of building tension as Julia's evening performance approaches, one that Emma sees in person. Writing and drawing with an understated grace that dovetails perfectly with the subject matter, McClintock emphasizes how childhood aspirations can become attainable realities. Ages 4-8. Agent: Jennie Dunham, Dunham Literary. (Feb.)

PreS-Gr 1—McClintock takes a turn from folk and fairy tales to share a sweet story of an aspiring ballerina and her professional counterpart. Emma, a young red-haired girl, gets ready for dance class and excitedly prepares for her first trip to the ballet. On mirroring pages is the story of Julia, a woman of color and professional ballerina, who goes through her day in the city preparing for her lead role in the evening's performance. As their days both come to an end at the theater, the opposing pages blend into one cohesive story and Emma and Julia meet backstage for a hug and an autograph and to express their love of dancing. Young readers interested in ballet will appreciate the glimpse into the life of a ballerina. The seemingly insignificant details of Julia's everyday life paint a picture of her as a real person, and the parallels to Emma's routine further encourage young dancers to see themselves in both of these characters. The story line is simple, the language straightforward and repetitive, further emphasizing the similarities in the lives of the two characters. The pen and watercolor illustrations are expressive and bright, the characters warm and emotive. McClintock makes effective use of white space and leaves the full-color spreads to the dramatic scenes of the performance hall and stage, where Emma and Julia's stories converge. VERDICT An informative and heartwarming selection about the lives of ballerinas of different ages.—Clara Hendricks, Cambridge Public Library, MA

Praise for My Grandfather's Coat by Jim Aylesworth, illustrated by Barbara McClintock

* "The narrative and illustrations make a perfect whole. Sweet and tender and joyful." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

* "This is a tale worth reading again and again." —School Library Journal, starred review

Praise for Our Abe Lincoln by Jim Aylesworth, illustrated by Barbara McClintock

* "Proving once again that they are a match made in picture-book heaven, Aylesworth and McClintock... turn out a biography of Lincoln virtually guaranteed to hook readers." —Publishers Weekly, starred review

Praise for The Gingerbread Man by Jim Aylesworth, illustrated by Barbara McClintock

* "... Satisfying in every way." —School Library Journal, starred review

* "The familiar tale finds a fresh makeover in the hands of Aylesworth and McClintock." —Publishers Weekly, starred review

Praise for The Mitten by Jim Aylesworth, illustrated by Barbara McClintock

* "The narrative draws readers into the story and begs to be read aloud....Aylesworth's tale belongs in every collection..." —School Library Journal, starred review

* "A satisfying blend of cozy comforts and slapstick farce, this will be a top choice for winter story hours." —Booklist, starred review

Praise for Cinderella by Barbara McClintock

* "This fresh, appealing version of the perennial favorite belongs in every collection." —School Library Journal, starred review