A cute children's book about a young girl who is worried about fitting in at ballet class since she has only every known Indian Bharatanatyam dancing. I do prefer in children's books when the child protagonist comes to the conclusion on their own instead of being influenced by a parent, but overall it's a cute and informative book. It's diverse and own-voices and I liked that there was a boy in the class too.

I also liked the author's note at the end about how this modern story was inspired by when the British banned Indian traditional dancing during colonial occupation and a young dancer from India became friends with a ballet dancer from Russia and together learned cross-cultural dancing.

Thank you to netgalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review!

I love this #OwnVoices picture book. Paro, a Bharatanatyam dancer, worries about being able to do ballet and be accepted by her peers there. Her new friends (who appear Black and Asian) welcome her, but don't understand anything about Paro's dancing.

Problem solved at the next class when Paro's mother comes in looking like a Bharatanatyam SUPER HERO, in the most amazing mom power pose ever. She demonstrates Bharatanatyam dance for the class, and the ballet teacher joins in as well. Paro, initially horrified, quickly joins in to teach the class alongside her mom. Something clicks for her, and Paro can suddenly see the similarities in the two styles of dance.

The illustrations by Anu Chouhan do a great job of capturing the movement and expressiveness of dance in a motionless medium, using colourful swirls and designs to create the impression of dance moves.

A historical note at the end describes some of the history of Bharatanatyam and the way dance can reach across borders,

Highly recommended!

I can’t praise this book enough. My 5yo and I just love it! It’s such a beautiful way to introduce children to all the different types of dance we have in the world, especially dances with deep cultural significance.
It’s informative, sweet and inspiring.

The illustrations are bright and whimsical and beautifully detail the characters imagination.
Paro is starting ballet class. It’s her first time practicing ballet and she is beyond nervous. But she quickly makes friends with others in her class and through some trials and love from her mother, she realizes the dance her mother performs and what she adores is just as beautiful and magical as ballet. Teaching her new friends the intricacies and difficulties of her favorite dance. It’s a lovely book about acceptance and being true to yourself as well as your heritage.

The afterwards add even more to the story. With a quick history of bharatnatyam and ballet, and the influential dancers Anna Pavlova and Rukmini Devi Arundale. There is even a diy guide to create your own ghungroo anklets.

An absolutely gorgeous addition to any children’s library!

Adorable book! It’s Paro’s first ballet lesson and she’s excited to learn until she realizes that she doesn’t quite have the same experiences as the other children. They’re familiar with ballet and ballerinas while Paro dances Bharatanatyam with her mom and follows Bharatanatyam dancers. She feels discouraged and is convinced she can’t be both a ballerina and a Bharatanatyam dancer. But with the help of her friends, her mom, and ballet teacher, Paro discovers that there is beauty in all styles of dance and that she can be anything she sets her mind to.

I really loved this book. It’s great for introducing children to Bharatanatyam dancing and teaching the lesson of being true to your heritage. Paro’s new ballet friends are also a great example of how children should be inviting, inclusive, friendly, and encouraging. Really beautiful illustrations, too. Overall, it’s just a great book and I love the author’s inclusion of the book’s inspiration as well as craft instructions to make ghungroo (musical anklets worn by Bharatanatyam dancers). Thanks NetGalley and Annick Press for the eARC!

Cute! A short story about Paro who learns to dance with her friends! I love Paro's mother!
Enjoy it! What a talented artist too!
Thanks a lot, Netgalley for the ARC!

I really adored the illustrations in this book. They are a lovely look at this little girl marrying ballet dance with her Indian cultural dance. I liked the relationship between her and her mom also.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC!

Beautiful story of a little girl learning to blend her cultures and proudly share her traditions with her friends. Loved the mom, the story, the illustrations!

Sweet picture book about a young Indian-American girl who believes she cannot be both a ballerina and a bharatanatyam dancer, only to discover that dance includes a wide variety of traditions

A beautiful picture book that wonderfully marries the ideas of cultural identity and children’s love of dance!