Tallulah’s Ice Skates

Tallulah is a really good dancer. Ballet is her specialty. Her friend, Kacie, is also a good dancer, but she is better at tap. After dance class, they are going to go ice skating, and Tallulah is very excited to do perfect spins. She even wears a twirly skirt that will whirl out when she does. At first, the girls have fun bunny hopping around the ice, but soon Tallulah wants to work on her spins, and she skates away. An older boy, clearly an accomplished skater, comes by and gives her some pointers, but when Tallulah falls, she gives up and wants to go home. The next day, she doesn’t even want to skate. Can Tallulah find the fun in skating again?

Fans of Marilyn Singer’s earlier Tallulah books will be happy to find this pretty book. The writing is excellent, but the story is a little unsatisfying. Tallulah gives up too easily and is something of a whiner. The illustrations, and especially the cover, by Alexandra Boider are perfectly enchanting using soft colors to match the season. While not perfect, it is a good story and will engage young readers.