John's Turn - by Mac Barnett (Hardcover)

About the Book

"It's John's big day at school today--a performance for Sharing Gifts time. His bag is carefully packed and prepared, his classmates are ready, and the curtain is waiting to open. John is nervous, looking out at all the other children staring back at him. But he takes a big breath and begins. Mac Barnett's compassionate text and Kate Berube's understated and expressive art tell the story of a kid who finds the courage to show others his talent for dancing."--Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

E. B. White Read-Aloud winner Mac Barnett celebrates individuality in a story told with tenderness and subtlety.

It's John's big day at school today--a performance for Sharing Gifts time. His bag is carefully packed and prepared, his classmates are ready, and the curtain is waiting to open. John is nervous, looking out at all the other children staring back at him. But he takes a big breath and begins. Mac Barnett's compassionate text and Kate Berube's understated and expressive art tell the story of a kid who finds the courage to show others his talent for dancing.

Review Quotes

Employing sweet humor and sensory detail, Barnett (What Is Love?) and Berube (Second Banana) convey the unexpected beauty of a school performance. . . in a breathlessly kinetic, wordless sequence, spreads show John turning, leaping, and landing, light as a feather. . . The story's collective, omniscient voice and graceful illustrations, wonderfully reminiscent of The Philharmonic Gets Dressed, portray a community that stays open and curious--and a child who shares their effort with brave vulnerability.
--Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Barnett and Berube offer a sensitive story about a boy grappling with stage fright and insecurity. . . . Barnett and Berube bring mastery of craft as well as an understanding of human nature to offer a fresh take on a familiar trope.
--The Horn Book (starred review)

Berube's warmly colored illustrations capture how John's apprehension turns to confidence and even elation as he dances; his facial expressions and body language are spot-on. Much of this perfectly paced book is devoted to John's performance, including five elegantly and economically composed, almost wordless spreads. . . . John faces down his fear to share his gift with determination, beauty and a style that is all his own. A true gift, indeed.
--BookPage (starred review)

The quiet text tells the story simply, though during the lively, eight-page dance sequence featuring images of John in motion, two words suffice: 'He danced.' Berube's sensitive drawings, created with ink and paint, capture the look and ambiance of the elementary-school setting as well as John's emotions. A respectful, wonderfully childlike introduction to ballet.
--Booklist

Berube's simple ink-and-paint illustrations have minimal background details, allowing readers to focus squarely on John and his emotions. It is truly wonderful to see a boy character in a children's book so enthusiastic about, and accomplished at, ballet. Any child, though, who has a talent to share or struggles with performance anxiety will find a role model in John. . . . A lovely, empowering book about having the courage to express one's individuality.
--Kirkus Reviews

Dappled textures and simple lines of the ink and watercolor art play well with perspective. . . Viewers who struggle with stage fright and embracing their hobbies may gain some confidence from John's journey and the book's welcoming, inclusive tone.
--The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

This wonderful children's book is filled with tender illustrations and a lovely story about a boy who is waiting for his turn at Friday Assembly where they have a "Sharing Gifts" portion. I just loved this book, especially the ending.
--Book Riot

About the Author

Mac Barnett, the 2025-2026 National Ambassador for Young People's Literature, is a New York Times best-selling author of stories for children. His work has been translated into more than thirty languages and sold more than five million copies worldwide. Mac Barnett's books have won many prizes, including two Caldecott Honors, three New York Times/ New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children's Book Awards, three E. B. White Read-Aloud Awards, the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award, Germany's Jugendliteraturpreis, China's Chen Bochui International Children's Literature Award, the Netherlands' Zilveren Griffel, and Italy's Premio Orbil. He is the cocreator, with Jon Klassen, of the Substack Looking at Picture Books, as well as Shape Island, a stop-motion animated series on Apple TV+, based on their best-selling Shapes series of picture books. Mac Barnett lives in Oakland, California.

Kate Berube is the author-illustrator of Hannah and Sugar, which won the Marion Vannett Ridgway Award and the Oregon Book Award for Children's Literature, and Mae's First Day of School, which was a finalist for the Oregon Book Award for Children's Literature. Kate Berube lives in Oregon with her family.