Our first readers can dream big, and the I Want to Be series from Random House can help visualize the accomplishment. I Want to be...a Ballerina illustrates and labels the journey of a young girl from getting ready for her first lesson to performing onstage as an adult. Vocabulary is rich and identifies clothing, steps, and parts of the studio and stage.
Text is tight and Richard Merritt's flat, colorful illustrations pop but don't overwhelm. They carry the information in a creative way, even turning the layout for impact.
You can help your own first reader into ballet with this board book. Whether a career ensues or not, they can dance with joy.
For your teen readers, I, of course, recommend my own novel, On Pointe.
by Becky Davies
illustrated by Richard Merritt
Random House, Little Tiger Press Ltd 2022
