Splashdance: A Picture Book - Hardcover

Starin, Liz

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0374300984 ISBN 13: 9780374300982

Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR), 2016

Synopsis

Picture Book Winner of the 2016 Social Justice Literature Award

Ursula, a bear, and Ricardo, a human, are preparing for the water ballet competition, where the prize is a million dollars! But a new regulation at the community pool--no bears--leaves Ursula cut from the contest. Luckily, she encounters a group of undaunted animal swimmers at a local pond, and Ursula and her new team figure out a way to participate in the competition and make sure everyone is welcome at the pool once and for all. Filled with deadpan humor, adorable animals, and big themes about social justice and inclusion, Liz Starin's picture book Splashdance is a fun and splashy summer story with a lot of heart.

About this title

About the Author

Liz Starin studied illustration at the Hochschule für Grafik und Buchkunst in Leipzig, Germany; the Rhode Island School of Design; and the School of Visual Arts and the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. Liz previously worked as an editor with Junior Library Guild. Now she works as an author, illustrator, and computer programmer. She lives in Brooklyn, New York. She also runs the children's book illustration blog Pen and Oink. penandoink.com and cargocollective.com/lizstarin

From School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2—Ursula, a polar bear, and her human friend, Ricardo, are set to enter a water ballet contest until a new rule bans bears from the pool. When Ursula shows up next day disguised as a rabbit, she discovers Ricardo has deserted her for a new partner. Although immersed in sadness, Ursula begins to practice her ballet moves in the neighborhood pond, where she meets a group of performers, including a brown bear named Ralph, who are also barred from the contest. Together they perfect their routine and hatch a plan. After all the contestants perform on the big day, Ricardo and his giraffe partner are declared winners. But they are overlooked when a chorus of "Ready...Set...Goooooooooo!" announces the unauthorized entrance of Ursula and her water ballet companions, who dazzle the audience with their "complicated routine" and Ursula's "triple banana flip" finale. Although they have not won this contest, Ralph assures Ursula they have indeed scored a victory, for a page turn reveals a new pool rule: "Everyone Welcome!" The watercolor and crayon illustrations greatly enrich the brief text and add many touches of humor, from the title page scene of bear and human enclosed in separate shower curtains to a list of such pool rules as "no frolicking; no lollygagging; [and] no filibustering...." Ursula's rabbit costume and home furnishings as well as announcements on signs and T-shirts afford added chuckles. Alert readers can even check out the title on the rabbit lifeguard's book. VERDICT The message that loyalty and inclusiveness are important is a valuable one to share with children. Don't hesitate to jump into this pool.—Marianne Saccardi, Children's Literature Consultant, Cambridge, MA

Edition details

• Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 0374300984
• ISBN 13: 9780374300982
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 32