Angelina Ice Skates

November 1, 1993
The heroine of Angelina Ballerina , it turns out, is as deft an entertainer twirling on ice as she is performing an onstage pas de deux. Here the spunky, diminutive mouse organizes a New Year's Eve figure skating show. With characteristic aplomb she overcomes a number of obstacles, including two pesky young hockey players who repeatedly interrupt her rehearsals. A confrontation between these ``big boys'' and Angelina erupts into a pond-wide snowball fight, vividly portrayed by Craig in a motion-filled, double-page illustration. This spectacle--as well as captivating depictions of both indoor scenes and the ice extravaganza--more than justifies the artist's top billing on the book's cover. But Holabird's narrative percolates steadily, and words and pictures culminate in a jubilant final scenario replete with well-deserved fireworks. Ages 3-7.