Leopold's Leotard

A dance class, headed up by a Black teacher and with children presented as white, Black, or brown, is preparing for the year-end recital, where Leopold, a most fervent dancer, would like to be an ostrich. However, to the young boy's disappointment, the dance performance will be about buzzing bumblebees. But if Leopold, who has tan skin and black hair, can't be a graceful bird, he hopes he can play a venomous killer bee—but no, everyone will be the same kind of bee. In this humorous tale, Leopold has a meltdown that becomes an epiphany of sorts. It's brought on by his leotard costume, his small dance shoes, and a tight headband, and to make matters worse, he can't remember the steps. Children will be delighted by Leopold's solution to his problem as he sets himself free by shedding all clothing and then simply dancing. The three- to five-line paragraphs, set in a small black font, are arranged in different angles throughout, offering vocabulary words such as recital, graceful, venomous, and stage. The expressive digital illustrations, created with gouache and colored pencil, are set on white and soft-colored page backgrounds where the artwork emphasizes the leotards in yellow and black. The book ends on a scene of Leopold and a tastefully placed piece of confetti. Story time uses of the book will likely inspire further discussion. VERDICT A jocose picture book honoring—and rewarding—the free spirits of children.—Kathia Ibacache, Univ. of Colorado Boulder