Bound To Stay Bound

Booklist - 10/01/2015 Young Bea loves ballet, and the only thing better than watching The Nutcracker is dancing in it! Bea’s dance class will be performing The Nutcracker, and she has the starring role of Clara. The mood is festive as the young dancers dress in their colorful costumes. Soon, the performance has begun, and the chubby preschoolers transform into the cast of a magical fairy tale. When it ends, the dancers gather for a celebration, and Bea gives a special message to the smallest member of the cast. Young readers interested in ballet will be captivated by this story, which encapsulates the timeless appeal of dance and performance. Large amounts of white space and simple line drawings leave the pages uncluttered, contrasting nicely with the bright, candy-colored hues of cut-paper collage that bring high visual interest. By embedding the plot of The Nutcracker in the larger story, the book celebrates the world of performing arts while introducing young readers to the classic holiday story. - Copyright 2015 Booklist.

School Library Journal - 10/01/2015 PreS-K—This companion to Bea at Ballet tells the story of The Nutcracker for the youngest audience. Readers share in the excitement as little Bea and her friends (a refreshingly multiracial cast) put on a delightful performance of the ballet. There is just enough information for preschool age children to understand the story, and the illustrations—line drawings with splashes of color—add to the charm and age-appropriate presentation. VERDICT This is a standout in the crowded field of Nutcracker picture books.—Virginia Walter Graduate School of Education and Information Studies - Copyright 2015 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.