Brave Ballerina
The Story of Janet Collins
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- $11.99
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
A lyrical picture book biography of Janet Collins, the first African American principal dancer at the Metropolitan Opera House.
Janet Collins wanted to be a ballerina in the 1930s and 40s, a time when racial segregation was widespread in the United States. Janet pursued dance with a passion, despite being rejected from discriminatory dance schools. When she was accepted into the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo as a teenager on the condition that she paint her skin white for performances, Janet refused. She continued to go after her dreams, never compromising her values along the way. From her early childhood lessons to the height of her success as the first African American prima ballerina in the Metropolitan Opera, Brave Ballerina is the story of a remarkable pioneer as told by Michelle Meadows, with fantastic illustrations from Ebony Glenn.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Writing in gentle verse that calls to mind "This Is the House that Jack Built," Meadows introduces Janet Collins, a New Orleans-born ballerina who pursued dance in the 1930s and '40s. With her family's support, Collins perseveres despite being told to lighten her dark skin: "This is the girl/ with a broken heart./ But she bounced right back/ and made a new start." Glenn illustrates in warm yet muted digital art; dynamic spreads show Collins dancing in a red flamenco dress to the sounds of a jazz ensemble. In a final spread, Collins dances at the Metropolitan Opera House in 1951 becoming the first African-American prima ballerina to do so. Meadows offers readers an affectionate biographical story that emphasizes her subject's passion and determination. Ages 4 8.
