Speak Up, Blanche! - Hardcover

McCully, Emily Arnold

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0060242272 ISBN 13: 9780060242275

Publisher: Harpercollins Childrens Books, 1991

Synopsis

Stagestruck Blanche would like to be a part of a theatrical bear troupe's new play, but her shyness causes problems until she discovers a special talent of her very own

About this title

From School Library Journal:

Kindergarten-Grade 2-- Blanche, a shy lamb, joins the theatrical bear family of Zaza's Big Break (1989) and The Evil Spell (1990, both HarperCollins), for dramatic coaching. Eclipsed by the extroverted energy all around her, Blanche is a pathetic failure onstage, unable to raise her voice above a whisper. Finally frustration drives her to assert herself; she insists on a job creating sets, which takes advantage of her artistic talents in an appropriate way. As in Rosemary Wells's Shy Charles (Dial, 1988), readers see that shyness does not deserve to be equated with ineptitude. Consistent with the earlier titles, McCully effectively evokes readers' empathy by focusing on a single, common trait and avoids other distractions. Obvious clues pointing to Blanche's ability with painting are dropped frequently, so that even the youngest readers will feel involved in the resolution. The text's pleasing humor is reflected in the details of the watercolor illustrations. While not a must-buy sort of book, this one will be appreciated by "Farm Theater" fans. In addition, it will be a useful acquisition for libraries in which there are never enough titles such as Shy Charles to go around. --Liza Bliss, Leominster Pub . Lib . , MA
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews:

The little sheep who joins the theatrical troup of bears introduced in Zaza's Big Break (1989) seems like a hopeless case: shy and retiring, she never speaks above a whisper; she's even a flop at collecting props. But when the bears try, tactfully, to send her home, Blanche asserts herself vociferously: she's an artist and can produce sets far superior to their clumsy efforts. Amusing dialogue and theatrical details plus McCully's appealing pictorial characterizations make this a sequel that's sure to please. (Picture book. 4-8) -- Copyright ©1991, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

About this edition

• Publisher: Harpercollins Childrens Books
• Publication date: 1991
• ISBN 10: 0060242272
• ISBN 13: 9780060242275
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 32