Publishers Weekly
Tallulah, the aspiring ballerina whose tutu tunnel vision led to a meltdown in Tallulah’s Tutu, is as determined as ever to achieve her dancing dream. But when her brother, Beckett, who does nothing but pick his nose and goof off in ballet class, wins a bigger role than she does in a production of The Frog Prince, Tallulah is seriously chagrined. Though Tallulah’s turnaround is a tad hasty, Singer conveys her initial frustration and disappointment with authenticity, while Boiger’s gouache and watercolor art is as fluid and graceful as a pirouette. Ages 4–8. Illustrator’s agent: Marcia Wernick, Wernick & Pratt. (May)
From the Publisher
"[A] charming follow-up to 2011's Tallulah's Tutu." —The New York Times Book Review "A lovely story that gently and effectively presents common childhood difficulties wrapped in a world of tutus and sparkles."—Kirkus Reviews "A lovely tribute to the closeness of brothers and sisters, this title holds appeal for the child needing patience, yet wanting to be recognized."—School Library Journal "Conveys Tallulah’s shifting emotions as a dancer and as a sister with equal perception and finesse. Full of light and grace, Boiger’s watercolor illustrations bring the characters to life in lively paintings. An appealing choice for ballet lovers and a fine sequel to Tallulah’s Tutu"—Booklist "Boiger's gouache and watercolor art is as fluid and graceful as a pirouette."—Publishers Weekly —
School Library Journal - Audio
PreS-Gr 2—Tallulah is a wonderful dancer and she's certain that she will be chosen for the principal role in the upcoming ballet recital. However, she's worried that her scatter-brained younger brother, Beckett, who just began taking ballet lessons, might not be chosen even for a minor part. As Tallulah warns and encourages Beckett, she imagines the accolades that will come her way when she stars in the production, complete with thunderous applause and beautiful bouquets. Tallulah is dismayed when Beckett earns a leading role and she is relegated to the cast. Although the story line is immersed in the world of dance, Singer's picture book (Clarion, 2012) offers a lesson in handling the universal feelings of disappointment and sibling jealousy. She doesn't shy away from the messiness of emotions, but rather offers an honest perspective of Tallulah's tantrum and her need to be noticed. Alexandra Boiger's watercolor illustrations and her use of fainter washes to depict Tallulah's imagination are brilliant. Christina Moore's narration is clear and precise, and she accurately portrays Beckett's character in just four syllables, "Uh-huh, uh-huh." Page-turn signals are optional.—Terri Perper, Middletown Public Library, MD
School Library Journal
K-Gr 2—Tallulah returns! Her plié and her relevé are excellent, and she is absolutely POSITIVE that she will have a solo in the winter recital. She is not so sure that her goof-off little brother will do well. She's shown him the barre, the mirrors, and the rest of the studio, but Beckett just can't concentrate for long—and, at one lesson, he ends up in the dreaded "time-out" chair. When he is given the larger role, Tallulah sulks with disappointment. In her more important role as big sister, however, she excels and is rewarded while helping Beckett do his best. Varied sizes of watercolor illustrations form backgrounds for the text and follow Tallulah's graceful moves and despondent mood. Readers are treated to her thoughts, highlighted with a bold change in font, and her fantasies, depicted in a dreamlike blue. A lovely tribute to the closeness of brothers and sisters, this title holds appeal for the child needing patience, yet wanting to be recognized.—Mary Elam, Learning Media Services, Plano ISD, TX
Kirkus Reviews
The ballerina-in-training sparkles in her return engagement when she learns to be a good big sister and to share the spotlight. Tallulah, of Tallulah's Tutu (2011), is certain that she will star in her school's winter recital of the Frog Prince and shows little patience with younger brother, Beckett, who has joined her in ballet studies. Her head swells with visions of flowers for her outstanding performance as the princess. Meanwhile, Beckett pays little attention and even spends a stint in the time-out chair. Surprise! Beckett's jumping skills land him the role of the Frog before princedom, and Tallulah is, alas, only a lady-in-waiting. The moment of reckoning arrives when their mother asks Tallulah to help her crying and nervous little brother. That she does, commendably. The result is a wonderful performance that is instrumental in landing each of them starring roles in the spring production of Hansel and Gretel. Veteran Singer approaches both issues—ego and sibling bonding—with a sure hand. Boiger once again uses watercolors in balletic shades of lilac, blue and green to great effect and creates a welcoming studio and stage setting. A lovely story that gently and effectively presents common childhood difficulties wrapped in a world of tutus and sparkles. (Picture book. 3-7)
