Ballerina Dreams

Thompson and Estrin’s Ballerina Dreams tells the true story of “five little girls who had a dream…of being ballerinas.” Each of the girls has “cerebral palsy or other muscle disorders,” and some require assistive equipment such as a walker or wheelchair. The book documents the girls’

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hard work and the guidance of their teacher, Joann Ferrara, who trains them until they are able to give the dance performance they had dreamed of. Through very straightforward text and vivid photographs, the book engages young readers in the girls’ struggle and eventual triumph. The story is inspiring in its own right, but Ballerina Dreams is especially notable because it uses a story and an experience familiar to millions of little girls--taking ballet lessons--to raise awareness about disability and to promote inclusion and acceptance. This book expands the definition and image of a young ballerina by showing that dancers are not only able-bodied, but can also be people with physical or developmental disabilities. The message is conveyed simply enough for young children to relate, but older readers and adults are likely to find the girls’ story inspiring as well.
Librarians may want to collect this multiple award-winning (ALAN, FSSA, NSSTB) book for its positive message about children with disabilities, as part of lessons about inclusion, tolerance and differences, or as part of a general picture book collection. It would also make a nice addition to a collection of books about ballet and dancing, which are of high interest to many young readers. The book’s bright photographs would also allow it to work well in a display or story time.

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This is a non-fiction text that tells the story of five little girls who have cerebral palsy and who learn ballet. This book has a very positive message and does a good job of journaling the experiences of the five girls with text and photographs.

Such a great story! 5 young girls, each with a different special need, participate in ballet lessons and a dance recital. Happy, uplifiting pictures accompany quite a bit of text. Ends with a mini-biography of each ballerina. Would be an interesting way to begin discussion about the illnesses

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ailing the girls.

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The next time in your life you face a challenge and feel like "I can't do it," think about the five little girls in this book. Each girl has cerebal palsy or some other physical disability, yet dreams about becoming a ballerina and performing in a recital. Although the book has text, the pictures

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truly embody the expression of a picture being worth a thousand words. When I got to the page where one of the ballerinas will stand unassisted on stage for the first time, I couldn't hold back the water works. The theme of Ballerina Dreams is relevant to both children and adults: never give up on your dreams.

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"When you wish upon a star
makes no difference who you are
Anything your heart desires will come to you"

Ballerina Dreams is a true story about five girls who each have cerebral palsy, or a form of it. They were unable to move their muscles like everyone else, but they didn't care; they wanted to

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become ballerinas. And they did. Their perseverance and dedication to being on stage performing for their family and friends helped them to move in ways they never dreamed of being able to. No matter their disability, they were still able to follow their dream.

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A true story of five little girls with muscle disorders that live out a life dream of being a ballerina. The girls get dressed in their tutus, leotards, and ballet slippers and head off to ballet class where adults help them stand and use crutches to move about and practice ballet. They prepare for

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a final recital, where they get dressed up in makeup and costumes and perform on stage as ballerinas with their parents behind them as a support. This is a heart warming book that shows how someone went the extra mile to plan a successful "impossibility" for these girls and make it possible. Loved this book so much I cried!

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Nothing is impossible! Five little ballerinas learn that dreams really do come true when they all perform ballet on stage for an encouraging audience, which is filled with family and friends. This true story is filled with inspiration, hope, and happiness as it depicts the journey of five little

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girls in their quest to achieve their wildest dreams. What makes this story stand out is the number of challenges this young girls overcome to reach their heart's desire. The five dancers are all physically disabled but, this does not deter them. They only become stronger, proving they are not limited by their disabilities. With the dedication and support, teachers and volunteers make their dreams reality by participating in the program, put in place by Joann Ferrara.

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This book touched my heart. It almost brought tears to my eyes. It is an excellent showing the struggle some children face with disabilities. It is based on a true story of five young girls who dreamed of dancing but were unable to because of their disabilities. This book is inspiring and shows the

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determination of the little girls.

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Ballerina Dreams is the tear jerker true story of young ladies who aspire to be ballerinas. They have to work very hard at hat they want because the have diseases that affect movement such as cerebral palsy. The girls work hard to perform at the end of the program dance recital. The girls a great

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role models due to their effort and persistence,

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I liked the photography in the book and the fact it is based on a true story. The girls do something no one thinks they will be able to do and they do an amazing job.

This was a story about 5 little girls who all had some sort of muscle disorder. Each one wanted to be a ballerina, but it was hard because of their disorders. There was a lady who decided to teach these girls ballet. They learned for weeks, then they put on a recital. This shows that even children

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with muscle disorders can do something everyone else can. I certainly would read this to my students because it is a powerful story.

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Ages 5-8.

Ballerina Dreams is not just about pink backgrounds, glittery makeup, tutus, and sparkles. The narrative follows a diverse group of girls with cerebral palsy or other muscle disorders who are working towards their dream of a ballet recital on stage.

Thompson’s narrative explains that the

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girls move in different ways than other ballerinas and that is ok. The text emphasizes that the girls are putting in hard work to be the best ballerinas they can be, and to reach their dream of performing for their family and friends.

Estrin’s pictures of the girls and their recital exude joyfulness, capturing the girls’ expressions of concentration, pride, and delight. Many pictures show the girls' canes and braces. The captions explain how these devices and muscle exercises assist the girls in their mobility and strength.

A “More about Cerebral Palsy” page provides children with a solid introduction to CP. It explains that CP affects communication between the brain and muscles, isn’t contagious, and while incurable, physical therapy can help muscles to be as strong and responsive as possible.

This book supports children with disabilities in seeing themselves represented in children’s literature. It will facilitate all readers’ appreciation that children have differences but share important commonalities such as dreams and aspirations. Ballerina Dreams explores human differences with respect and celebration. Recommended.

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Ballerina Dreams is a true story of five beautiful little girls ranging from ages 3-7 with various disabilities who dream big. Abbey, Monica, Nicole, Veronica, and Shekinah all desire to become ballerinas and dance on stage; however, their bodies don't necessarily move they way the girls would

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like. Physical therapist, Joann Ferrara teaches the girls ballet, along with the help of her assistants who are individually paired with a young girl. Finally the big day arrives and the girls perform a special review where they wear beautiful tutus and dance to songs from The Nutcracker and conclude with "When You Wish upon a Star." Not only will the story itself move you to tears, but the real pictures captured will bring this beautiful moment to life.

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Five young girls all had the same dream, to be ballerinas. They wanted to be just like other girls, girls who get to dance on a stage wearing tutus and tiaras. But, these girls were not like other little girls, they each had muscle disorders, like cerebral palsy, and they have trouble moving.

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Fortunately, all of these girls were able to learn ballet and even put on a beautiful recital, called "Wishes and Dreams" thanks to their dance teacher, Joann, and special helpers who help them dance on stage.
This book is truly beautiful and inspiring, these girls never once gave up or complained. They did not allow their disability to stop them from chasing their dreams. I loved seeing all of the pictures of them throughout the book, they were constantly smiling and laughing. I also enjoyed the end of the book that told a little bit more about cerebral palsy as well as the "meet the ballerinas" afterward that told about each ballerina.

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Color photos and the narration focus on five little girls with cerebral
palsy who dance a ballet recital with their classmates for their
families. The girls are part of a ballet program called Dancing Dreams, founded by Joann Ferrara. The program enables girls with cerebral palsy to take ballet

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classes like other girls and is a supplement to physical therapy. Exuberant photos of proud parents and excited girls decked out in tutu finery.

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Five young girls, Nicole, Shekinah, Veronica, Monica, and Abbey, have a lot in common. They all share the dream of being ballerinas and also all live with cerebral palsy. They felt that making this dream come true would be next to impossible. However, this did not stop them. These girls went to

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many dance class practices. They learned that some of them could not keep their balance, some had trouble walking, and some had to use a wheelchair or walker to get around. As readers we get to take this journey with them and see all of what they overcame to reach their goals. Being that this is a true story made this even more special. I was so happy for these girls as I was reading and even got goose bumps many times throughout the story. Seeing their dream of being ballerinas unfold was amazing. I loved how we were also able to see real pictures of the girls practicing, getting ready, and dancing.

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