Candida Baker (text), Mitch Vane (illus), Belinda, the Ninja Ballerina, Ford Street, 25 August 2015, 32pp., $24.95 (hbk), ISBN: 9781925272031
This is a ballet book with a refreshing difference. The ballerina, Belinda, goes to ballet lessons on her mother’s insistence but prefers to do cartwheels and head stands rather than practice ballet positions. Her assertion that she would prefer to be a ninja, rather than a ballerina, are dismissed by her mother and her always encouraging ballet teacher, Miss Kate. Things come to a head when Belinda vehemently asserts her wish to be a ninja rather than participate in the much planned and anticipated end of year ballet concert. Then Miss Kate comes up with a clever, creative solution.
I love this picture book with its lively, quirky, colourful cartoon style illustrations and its encouragement for kids to assert their wish to be different. The illustrations work well at telling the story by conveying characters’ emotions through facial expressions and body language. Personalities are portrayed through features and accessories. Belinda’s eccentric, lovable and strong willed personality shines through. There is also energy in the illustrations, for example when Belinda turns a cartwheel and head stand across the page, or the other girls perform their rhythmical, dainty ballet moves.
The text is used sparingly, with much of it in dialogue, and serves well to further develop the characters and maintain interest in the storyline.
Kids and adults will enjoy this lively, cheerful picture book with a storyline that has an unexpected and clever resolution. It is especially relevant for 4-7 year old girls who prefer to be active, strong and tough, rather than pretty and dainty. Teacher’s Notes can be found on the Ford Street website.
Reviewed by Barbara Swartz