From School Library Journal:
PreSchool-Grade 2-- Tanya is finally old enough to study ballet, yet despite all her natural coordination, enthusiasm, and even technical mastery, she finds the structure of classes difficult and frustrating. She can't even hear the music. ``She is a lovely child, and she is enjoying herself, and that is what matters'' says her teacher. But Tanya doesn't experience the same joy she feels while dancing with her stuffed bear under the trees, listening to the wind. It's the helpful reassurance and gentle encouragement of her kind accompanist that makes the difference and turns the little girl into a ballerina. Ichikawa's fluid watercolors with finely etched pen-and-ink detail capture the action. The same lumpish little girl who is always one jete behind in class is pure poetry in motion executing a pas de deux in the springtime meadow. Delicately expressive and infused with light, the illustrations and lilting prose are perfectly in step and gratifying. --Luann Toth, School Library Journal
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Kirkus Reviews:
The beguiling preschooler who won the right to go to dancing lessons with her big sister in Dance, Tanya (1989) discovers that the class poses an unexpected challenge: distracted by the teacher's claps and her loud counting voice, Tanya has trouble following the music. Fortunately, the sympathetic piano player sees her improvising as she used to, ``all alone in the meadow where she could hear the music in the wind.'' They exchange confidences, and, later, Tanya finds she can listen to the piano and dance in time with the others. Again, Ichikawa captures the joy and energy of the dance in her sensitive paintings, contrasting little Tanya's graceful, independent style with the more practiced formality of the older girls. A lovely, warm story about dancing, learning, and respecting one's own unique identity while adapting to an activity with established rules. (Picture book. 4-8) -- Copyright ©1992, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.
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