Pearl loves to dance! But will she love preschool, too?
Pearl loves attending dance classes at her mother’s ballet school. Even though Pearl is the youngest and smallest ballerina, she knows how to count her poses and follow along. When her mom suggests that Pearl try going to preschool, Pearl has a lot of questions: What will she learn? Will there be dancing? A sweet and reassuring story about trying something new that’s perfect for young children with separation anxiety — or who just love to dance!
Julie Fortenberry is the author-illustrator of Lily’s Cat Mask and The Artist and the King and the illustrator of several books for children. She comes from a family of artists: her husband is a painter, her son is also an artist, and her daughter is a choreographer and dancer. She has an MFA in painting from Hunter College, and her abstract artwork has been exhibited in solo and group shows in galleries, including the Whitney Museum of American Art. She lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The softly colored illustrations, outlined in black, are very appealing and feature a lovely double-page spread of Pearl and her mother attending a classic ballet performance...Tender and sweet comfort. —Kirkus Reviews
The quiet, well-phrased text provides the story’s structure as well as moments of understated humor, while letting the expressive illustrations show elements of the story never mentioned in the text, such as a subway ride and a ballet performance. Created digitally, the artwork depicts the children, in particular, with a winsome quality that suits the story well. A pleasing picture book for young dance lovers. —Booklist
In this winsome, taut story, a timid child warms to the idea of preschool with her mother’s tactical nudging and her own ingenuity...This charming antidote to preschool anxiety contains a deftly measured dose of sweetness. —Publishers Weekly
A muted color palette makes a lovely backdrop for this engaging portrait of a strong parent- child relationship: Pearl feels safe in expressing herself, and her mom’s gentle guidance helps Pearl take ownership over big decisions. Pearl Goes to Preschool is a real treat. —BookPage
Consider the delicious normalcy to be found in “Pearl Goes to Preschool” (Candlewick, 32 pages, $16.99), a chic little picture book by Julie Fortenberry for 2- to 5-year-olds.... In Ms. Fortenberry’s ink-and-watercolor-like digital illustrations, we can see the preschoolers inside singing, painting and dressing up. With her mother’s gentle encouragement, Pearl comes around to the idea, and in time she joins them. —The Wall Street Journal
Pearl loves to dance! But will she love preschool, too?
Pearl loves attending dance classes at her mother’s ballet school. Even though Pearl is the youngest and smallest ballerina, she knows how to count her poses and follow along. When her mom suggests that Pearl try going to preschool, Pearl has a lot of questions: What will she learn? Will there be dancing? A sweet and reassuring story about trying something new that’s perfect for young children with separation anxiety — or who just love to dance!
Creators
Julie Fortenberry is the author-illustrator of Lily’s Cat Mask and The Artist and the King and the illustrator of several books for children. She comes from a family of artists: her husband is a painter, her son is also an artist, and her daughter is a choreographer and dancer. She has an MFA in painting from Hunter College, and her abstract artwork has been exhibited in solo and group shows in galleries, including the Whitney Museum of American Art. She lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The softly colored illustrations, outlined in black, are very appealing and feature a lovely double-page spread of Pearl and her mother attending a classic ballet performance...Tender and sweet comfort. —Kirkus Reviews
The quiet, well-phrased text provides the story’s structure as well as moments of understated humor, while letting the expressive illustrations show elements of the story never mentioned in the text, such as a subway ride and a ballet performance. Created digitally, the artwork depicts the children, in particular, with a winsome quality that suits the story well. A pleasing picture book for young dance lovers. —Booklist
In this winsome, taut story, a timid child warms to the idea of preschool with her mother’s tactical nudging and her own ingenuity...This charming antidote to preschool anxiety contains a deftly measured dose of sweetness. —Publishers Weekly
A muted color palette makes a lovely backdrop for this engaging portrait of a strong parent- child relationship: Pearl feels safe in expressing herself, and her mom’s gentle guidance helps Pearl take ownership over big decisions. Pearl Goes to Preschool is a real treat. —BookPage
Consider the delicious normalcy to be found in “Pearl Goes to Preschool” (Candlewick, 32 pages, $16.99), a chic little picture book by Julie Fortenberry for 2- to 5-year-olds.... In Ms. Fortenberry’s ink-and-watercolor-like digital illustrations, we can see the preschoolers inside singing, painting and dressing up. With her mother’s gentle encouragement, Pearl comes around to the idea, and in time she joins them. —The Wall Street Journal
