The Yellow TutuYou can never have too many books about tutus!

Read, Write, Repeat recently interviewed author Linda Skeers about her new picture book Tutus Aren’t My Style.

And today, Nicki joins us to share her thoughts on The Yellow Tutu (Random House, 2009) by Kirsten Bramsen. The books are both about tutus, but they’re quite different.

In Linda’s book, Emma gets a tutu as a present and wonders what to do with it. She tries to be a ballerina, but finds it doesn’t fit her active, outdoorsy personality at all.

In Kirsten’s book, Margo gets a tutu for her birthday and instantly adores it. But she doesn’t try to dance like Emma. Instead, she sticks it on her head, pretends she’s the sun and proudly walks to school to show her friends.

But her friends don’t understand Margo’s brilliance. They think she’s strange and call her tutu-head. All except Pearl. Pearl has a pink tutu. She’s never worn it on her head, but thinks doing so would be a swell idea. She stands up for Margo and invites her over for a tea party – where both girls wear their tutus on their heads, of course.

Nicki doesn’t have a tutu. And she’s not sure she’d want one for her birthday. She’d rather have an iPod. But, she enjoyed the book. Here’s what she had to say:

Our reviewer: Nicki

Age: 8

I like: Playing bingo in Spanish class. Playing with Izzy and her little sister, Abby.

This book was about: A girl named Margo who had a birthday. She got a tutu and wore it on her head, but everyone started teasing her.

The best part was when: She walked down the path pretending she was the sun, and the squirrels were out tanning in the sun.

I laughed when: She first put the tutu on her head.

I was worried when: People teased her and she wondered what was the matter with everyone.

I was surprised when: She tore open the present at the end of her bed and it was a tutu. I thought it would be a trophy.

This book taught me: Don’t wear a tutu on your head. Or if you do, find a friend like Pearl to do it too.

Three words that best describe this book are: “Tutu-head.” “Sunshine.” “Lion.”

My favorite line or phrase in this book is: “TUTU-HEAD,” they all teased.

You should read this book because: It’s funny seeing her with the tutu on her head.

Thanks, Nicki!

Something to watch for in this book are the illustrations by Carin Bramsen. They have a very retro feel to them with pale colors and soft edges, except for the tutu, which is shown in all its crisp, vibrant glory. Margo’s friends are a multicultural bunch, which is always a plus for me in a book of any kind.

For another review of The Yellow Tutu and other books, check out The Planet Esme Plan, a blog by Esme Raji Codell.