  | Full Text Reviews: School Library Journal - 07/01/2016 PreS-Gr 2—Saturdays are terrible—at least for Ada. They mean ballet class, and Ada "HATES" ballet. The irritable dancer pouts about putting on her "waaay too tight" leotard and tutu, all the while fussing about the bane of her existence. As the story progresses, readers understand why Ada hates ballet—she's not very good at it. Her pirouettes turn into kicks and punches, and her jetés are far from graceful. Her little friend, a stuffed (occasionally animated) creature that resembles Gravel's I Want a Monster cast, encourages her and frequently gets caught up in Ada's hazardous momentum. Ada's inability to move with poise leaves her frustrated—until her last attempt at pirouetting sends her out the door, crashing into trash cans and colliding into a karate teacher. It seems that her natural talents are best reserved for the mat. The protagonist's bad mood stems from her frustration at her failure, which sets her apart from similarly short-fused characters. The main text is composed of short exchanges, action words, and comprehensible narration. Gravel employs her signature digital style, using prominent black lines and a selective palette to create a quirky setting and tone. Furthermore, observant readers will notice subtle, giggle-worthy gestures from other characters. This book will resonate with children, especially those who have yet to channel their misunderstood talents. VERDICT A noteworthy addition for most collections. Fans of Gravel will get a kick out of this grouchy character.—Briana Moore, School Library Journal - Copyright 2016 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Bulletin for the Center... - 09/01/2016 Picturebookland is full of devoted frilly girls in ballet shoes, but Ada hates everything to do with her Saturday ballet class. When Miss Pointy instructs Ada to pirouette, the result is havoc, and in the chaos Ada tumbles into the hallway, crashing into another teacher. Her victim turns out to be a karate teacher who thinks Ada’s anti-ballet moves are actually “great karate” and invites Ada to join his class, which is a much better fit for Ada. The plot logic is a little thin, but that’s okay; the point is comedically grumpy Ada’s mismatch with ballet and eventual finding of her niche. Gravel lays out humorously the kid who hates everything about what they’re stuck with (Ada loathes the day, the clothes, the car trip), so even ballet-loving kids will get the gist. Speech balloons offer Ada’s fellow students a chance to comment (“She stinks”), and more importantly give voice to Ada’s stuffed animal/sidekick, a chartreuse blob with bunny ears who functions as Greek chorus and cheering section. The art, Gravel’s usual limited palette with neo-retro tones of cherry, lime, and slate predominating, has both absurdity and solidity, and Ada’s disasters are satisfyingly, slapstickily disastrous, with sound effects and flying dancers pelting around the spread. This may spark ideas in audience members who are grumpily going through the motions of an activity they’d like to escape. DS - Copyright 2016 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. Loading...
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