Angelina Ballerina

When my sisters and I were small, we loved the story of Angelina Ballerina. I was so excited to see it is being reprinted. It’s the story of a young mouse so distracted by dancing she can’t concentrate on anything else, much to the frustration of her family and friends. Her parents’ solution is endearing and will delight young readers. My own preschooler requested we read this story again and again on the day we received the book.

The language of the story is old-timey, but in a way that is comforting and not dated. Helen Craig’s illustrations in pen and ink are detailed and classic. They convey a lot about the period in which Angelina Ballerina was written and remain timeless in their loveliness. Angelina Ballerina is a timeless story, not only because so many little kids dream of being ballerinas but also because of how many parents wish to support their child’s passion without it taking over their daily life. Everyone will find something to love here.