Rating: 3.5 stars
Little (dog) Nate sees a ballet with his class at the end of his kindergarten year, and decides that he wants to learn how to dance ballet, too. His mother finds him a class, but it doesn't start until Fall. All Summer long Nate dances happily everywhere and anywhere; all Summer long Nate's big brother Ben teases him that only girls dance ballet. His parents shush Ben every time, simply saying: "That's not true, Ben," to whatever falsehood falls from his mouth that moment.
"Ballerinas all have to wear pink shoes and a dress." |
This is a lovely book that challenges the only-girls-do-this and only-boys-do-that stereotype. It's a great one to read a few times just to put into your kids' heads, maybe to let them think a little outside of the box, or maybe to provide information that will prevent teasing/bullying later on. I really like this book, but of course wish that the language was a little softer. I wish that Ben didn't say "yuck" or "stupid" and that Nate didn't say he "hated" dresses and shoes. I'm being harsh, I think, because I can't imagine boys saying much else at 5 or 6. I'm still living in la-la land because my boy isn't saying much at this point!
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