Balletball - by Erin Dionne (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Now in paperback! Nini loves ballet--sparkles, costumes, and twirls--but spring brings baseball practice. Baseball is nothing like ballet . . . or is it?

A funny, heartfelt picture book about trying something new, finding confidence, and discovering that your favorite skills can shine in unexpected places.

Nini hates baseball. She hates that baseball is not ballet. She especially hates that Mom signed her up to play, but now she's stuck with the sport. Nini just can't bring herself to try. Her team starts to lose, but not even her teammates' disappointment will change her feelings. A pep talk from her coach and sparkly shoelaces help--a little. When Nini makes a game-winning catch using her ballet moves, she realizes that change might not be so bad after all, and ballet and baseball have more in common than she thought.

Review Quotes

Nini loves ballet--the leaps, the twirls, and the sparkly tutu. A week after her recital, she's unhappy to hear that she will begin a new activity: baseball. From the uniform (no sparkles) to the equipment ("a lumpy brown glove") to her position (outfield), she's less than thrilled, and her attitude is unpopular with her teammates. After their patient coach explains that some professional athletes take ballet, Nini decides to try harder. And sure enough, the next time the opposing team hits a ball her way, she leaps, twirls, pliés, and makes the catch for the last out. Her team wins, and Nini renames the sport balletball. Flint offers a series of appealing watercolor-and-brush-pen scenes with fluid lines and pleasing use of color. The illustrations include a racially diverse cast of characters with different abilities (one uses a hearing aid, another wears glasses). While the story is a mix of reality and wish-fulfillment fantasy, young children are experts at combining the two. An optimistic, sports-themed picture book for aspiring ballet dancers.
--Booklist

About the Author

Erin Dionne is the author of the picture book Captain's Log: Snowbound and several middle-grade novels, including Lights, Camera, Disaster and Moxie and the Art of Rule Breaking, an Edgar Award nominee. Erin is an professor of liberal arts at Montserrat College of Art in Massachusetts.

Gillian Flint has worked as a professional illustrator since graduating with an animation and illustration degree in 2003. She illustrated Love You Always, Button and Bundle, and Hugga Bugga Love. In her spare time Gillian enjoys reading and spending time with her family. www.gillianflint.com