You 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.
Almost everyone has gotten a present that made them say, “Huh?”
Maybe it was a set of custom cookware for someone who could barely boil water. Or a subscription to the ”Meat of the Month Club” for a confirmed vegetarian.
Linda Skeers’ latest picture book, Tutus Aren’t My Style (Dial, 2010), tells the story of Emma, an active, outdoorsy girl who receives a ballerina costume from her Uncle Leo.
Now, Emma has never even considered being a ballerina. But she loves Uncle Leo and doesn’t want to let him down, so she puts on the costume and tries to do everything her friends and family tell her good ballerinas do — float, flutter, whirl and twirl.
Of course, it doesn’t work out. But instead of getting frustrated, Emma decides to make her own rules about what ballerinas do, which results in a memorable recital that pleases Emma and her uncle.
Linda joins us today to talk more about her second picture book.
Describe how Tutus Aren’t My Style came to be, from initial idea to sale.
I’m a very clumsy person and one night I tumbled down the stairs and somersaulted into my son’s room. When I stood up I told him, “I’ll never, ever be a ballerina!” Later I thought that would make a good title for a story about a clumsy little girl. I wrote and revised the story too many times to count! Finally, I sent it to my editor. She suggested I add a few characters, I did one more revision, and she bought it!
Who’s the target audience for this book?
4-8 year olds. I especially hope it appeals to tomboys who don’t connect to all the ballerina and princess picture books out there. I know I don’t!
What are you most pleased with about the book?
I love the illustrations! Emma looks exactly how I envisioned her in my mind as I was writing. And the cat wearing the tutu cracks me up!
What costume would you have wanted to receive as a child? How about now?
I would have loved a swashbuckling pirate costume! Should I admit that I bought a pirate hat (complete with marabou feathers) on eBay and I wear it around the house?ARRRRGGGHHHH!
Have you ever worn a tutu?
Alas, I have not. Yet.
How is the book similar to – and different from – your first book, The Impossible Patriotism Project?
Both have a main character trying to figure out something that bothers them.
Caleb wonders what patriotism means and how he can show it, and Emma is wondering how to be a ballerina when that goes against her personality. Both solve their problem by doing some soul searching. Tutus is lighter and, hopefully, funnier.
What do you think makes a good picture book?
An interesting main character that the reader cares about. And humor!
Which authors inspire you?
So many! Jill Esbaum, Deborah Wiles, Patricia Polacco, Mo Willems, Hollie Hobby … it’s a very long list!
What’s your favorite picture book of all time?
Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst.
What do you do when you’re not writing?
Read. Eat. Read. Watch movies. Read some more!
What else would you like to add? If you want to sell a book in today’s market, READ what’s currently being published!
Want to learn more about Linda? Visit her Web site. Want to meet her and get the benefit of her expertise? Sign up to attend the picture book writing workshop she holds each year with fellow Iowa author Jill Esbaum.
You can never have too many books about tutus!
