Tanya and the Red Shoes - Hardcover

Ages 4-7. Tanya, the irrepressible young dancer who started as a preschooler in Dance, Tanya (1989) has grown out of her early gawkiness over the last five books, and now dreams of graduating from soft ballet slippers to toe shoes. When Tanya carries home her first pair of the elegant but unyielding point shoes, she's ecstatic. Unfortunately, when she wears them for the first time in class, she finds that they pinch her toes and give her blisters. Joy gives way to frustration, but with her big sister's help and understanding, Tanya keeps her mind on her dreams and works hard as the blisters turn to calluses and reality becomes a bit more promising. Reflecting the aspirations and experiences of many young ballet students, this story deals realistically with a physical challenge as well as the drive necessary to overcome it. Ichikawa's expressive paintings feature graceful, fluid line work brightened with pleasing tints of color. A rewarding picture book for the many young girls who take ballet classes or dream of dancing. Carolyn Phelan
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Kindergarten-Grade 3--Gauch and Ichikawa continue their successful partnership in this sixth picture book about a girl who lives to dance. In each successive book, Tanya has grown, matured, and become an increasingly more competent dancer, but her underlying character is delightfully unchanged. As this book opens, she is almost ready for her first pair of toe shoes, which she impatiently and desperately desires. When the anticipated moment finally arrives, she is frustrated to learn how difficult it is to dance-or even move-sur pointes. However, with slow and careful practice, Tanya makes real progress and is, as always, optimistic that she will eventually realize her dreams. Ichikawa's loose and vibrant watercolors animate the lively child with humor and affection. She is rendered in all her moods and movements as a character equally appealing to readers who have known her since her toddler years (in Dance, Tanya [Philomel, 1989]) and to those making her acquaintance for the first time.
Dorian Chong, San Jose State University, CA
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