Angelina Ballerina: The Next Steps
By Emily Ashby,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Dancing dynamo has positive messages for young viewers.

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What's the Story?
ANGELINA BALLERINA: THE NEXT STEPS chronicles the adventures of aspiring dancer Angelina (voiced by Charlotte Spencer) as she continues her education at a new school in hopes of becoming a ballerina extraordinaire. At Camembert Academy for the Performing Arts, 8-year-old Angelina finds that this new stage of her life is full of stumbling blocks. But with the support of her new friends, the precocious little mouseling turns each challenge into a chance to learn from her mistakes and reflect on the type of person -- er, mouse -- she wants to be.
Is It Any Good?
Existing Angelina fans will pirouette for joy over this new series. Colorful computer animation gives new dimension to the young mouse, doing justice to her larger-than-life personality. The show's bright hues and modern style will appeal to today's preschoolers, and the sweet stories -- each infused with essential life lessons for young viewers -- are a seamless continuation of those from the original series.
Angelina's diverse new group of friends encourages her to step out of her comfort zone in her dance, and while it's not always easy, she learns a little something about herself and her abilities each time. Kids will walk away from these stories with a positive outlook on trying new things and chasing their dreams, and they'll acquire some basic tools for coping with troubles. Couple that with the show's strong messages about friendship, perseverance, and self-confidence, and there's a lot to like about this dynamic dancer.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about setting and achieving goals. Kids: What are some of your goals? How do you plan to work toward them? How do you feel when you encounter a setback in your plans?
Kids: How does this series compare to the books by Katharine Holabird and the original TV series? What other shows do you like that are based on books?
Families can use this show to foster kids' interest in the performing arts. Attend a play or concert in your area, and talk to your kids about it. Did you enjoy the performance? What was your favorite part?
TV Details
- Premiere date: September 5, 2009
- Cast: Charlotte Spencer, Jules Dejongh, Larissa Murray
- Network: PBS Kids
- Genre: Kids' Animation
- Topics: Arts and Dance, Book Characters, Friendship, Great Girl Role Models
- Character Strengths: Perseverance
- TV rating: TV-Y
- Last updated: April 1, 2023
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