Brontorina
By Regan McMahon,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Dino's gotta dance in sweet, body-positive ballet tale.
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What's the Story?
Brontorina shows up to ballet class and tells Madame Lucille, "I want to dance." "But you are a dinosaur," Madame Lucille says. "True," Brontorina says, "But in my heart I am a ballerina." Two girls in the class pipe up: "She is too big!" But the teacher lets her in, saying, "Please try not to squash the other dancers." Things go OK, except that Brontorina keeps hitting her head on the ceiling. "The problem is not that you are too big," Madame Lucille says. "The problem is that my studio is too small." So she finds a field and renames her school Madame Lucille's Outdoor Dance Academy for Girls and Boys and Dinosaurs and Cows.
Is It Any Good?
BRONTORINA not only has a sweet message about following your dream and being accepted no matter what shape or size you are, it also has wonderful, warm oil illustrations and a diverse cast. The contrast of the tiny boys and girl and the giant orange Brontorina is cute and funny. And Madame Lucille's attitude is wonderful. She acknowledges that Brontorina is graceful in her arabesques and jetés, and when another dinosaur shows up at her outdoor academy and tells her, "I want to dance," she responds without hesitation, "Then you must, my dear."
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about following your dream. Is there a sport or another activity you'd love to try? Might you like to take dance lessons?
Why are books about dinosaurs fun? Do you have any favorites?
Do you think kids of all shapes and sizes should be able to play on a team or join a dance class?
Book Details
- Author: James Howe
- Illustrator: Randy Cecil
- Genre: Picture Book
- Topics: Dinosaurs, Arts and Dance, Wild Animals
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Candlewick Press
- Publication date: August 10, 2010
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 4 - 8
- Number of pages: 32
- Available on: Paperback, Hardback
- Last updated: July 12, 2017
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