Book Review – Dragons Don’t Dance Ballet by Jennifer Carson

Book Tour

Review, Author Interview, Giveaway

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My Thoughts

The first thing that caught my attention was the title. I was immediately ready to start turning pages!

Though she obviously is a dragon, Esmerelda is a very non-scary, civilized, and even pretty dragon.

Esmerelda Dragon runs the spotlight at the City Ballet, which is wonderful since her dream is to become a ballerina. Yep, that’s right. It seems even dinosaurs have goals and dreams. 

Every evening after the show while Harold, the janitor, whistles and cleans, Esmerelda practices her dance moves. She continues getting better and better until Harold comes up with a suggestion. She might like to audition for a part in the ballet.

A dragon? Who has ever heard of a dragon ballerina?

I absolutely loved the characters and colors used in this picture book. The soft teal and purple tamed the looks of a dragon and even made the story feel light and ballerina-like. The illustrations and colors all felt perfect for the story.

The story itself addresses so many issues, a few of which are practicing daily, reaching out for a dream, being willing to chance failure, body image, and even friendship. But if you think these are the only things this short story covers, believe it or not, there is more. It is a wonderful story that easily opens the door for discussions.

Both the text and illustrations team up to create a book that is easy for me to recommend. 

My thanks to iRead Book Tours and the author for a copy of this book and the ability to post my opinion of it.

Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆

Meet the Author

and

Author Interview

Meet the Author

Jennifer Carson lives in Michigan with her husband, four sons and
many furry friends. She grew up on a steady diet of Muppet movies and
Renaissance faires and would occasionally be caught reading under the
blankets with a flashlight. Besides telling tales, Jennifer likes to
create fantasy creatures and characters and publishes her own sewing
patterns. Her artwork and patterns can be seen online at
thedragoncharmer.com.Jennifer’s work has been featured in national magazines including:
Cloth, Paper, Scissors, Faerie Magazine, Soft Dolls and Animals, Teddy
Bear and Friends, and Dolls United.Jennifer’s work has been featured in
national magazines including: Cloth, Paper, Scissors, Faerie Magazine,
Soft Dolls and Animals, Teddy Bear and Friends, and Dolls United.connect with the author:  website ~ facebook ~ goodreads

Author Interview

What made you write a book about a dragon wanting to dance ballet?

Esmerelda was inspired by a friend I used to dance ballet with. My mom, who is very critical of everyone but herself, came to one of our holiday shows and made a snide comment that my friend shouldn’t have been “up there” (on stage) because she did not have the right type of body—she is tall, and what some might refer to as “hippy,” however, she was the BEST adult ballet dancer on the stage.

Your publisher is marketing this book as a “positive body image” book, is that how you saw it, too?

Well, yes and no. For me it was more like a don’t let the mean girls talk you out of your dreams, book, but I think there are many messages that can be pulled from the story!

Even though this is fiction, and a picture book, did you have to do any research?

Yes! My experience with ballet is minimal in the big picture of life, so I had to research dance moves and their names (since French is also not a language I speak fluently!)

Do you have another profession besides writing?

Ha! That’s a loaded question! I am the managing editor for a regional magazine here in Michigan, a freelance editor, illustrator, sewing pattern designer, and a mom to four boys.

In today’s techy world, most writers use a computer. Is this how you write as well?

Every one of my books started in my mind, then wandered into a notebook, before being typed into a document.

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