Angelina Star of the Show

August 1, 2008
PreS-Gr 1-What is it about the "Angelina" books that children find so satisfying? In addition to illustrations full of charming details discovered over many readings and a generous appearance of pink tutus and ballet slippers, it's probably this character's spunk and persistence. In this story, while chugging along on her grandparents' canal boat, the mouseling is determined to "think up a special dance." At first, her grandparents gently remind her that all paws are needed "on deck," then sternly suggest that sailors are too busy to dance, and so it goes until Angelina tumbles into a can of oil and ruins her costume. As in the previous books, there is a lesson to learn, and supportive adults are reassuringly present to help guide the resourceful mouse as she arrives at a solution to her problem. If fans of this ballerina frequent your picture book section, be sure to buy more than one copy."Daryl Grabarek", School Library Journal

Copyright 2008 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2008
In her thirteenth book, Angelina travels aboard her grandparents' canal boat, The Jolly Rat, to the Mouseland Dance Festival. Angelina cleverly evades boat work by practicing her plies and arabesques from stem to stern. Holabird's lighthearted text and Craig's disarming illustrations make for a sweet story about intergenerational relationships.

(Copyright 2008 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)