October 3, 2022
Forgoing any introduction, van der Linde’s collective biography briefly introduces six significant Black figures in the world of dance. Opening with Essie Mae Dorsey, who founded a ballet school for Black children in 1926 Philadelphia, the book also spotlights Dance Theatre of Harlem founder Arthur Mitchell, Trinidad-born dancer Christian Holder, choreographer Dwight Rhoden, and contemporary ballet superstars Misty Copeland and Michaela DePrince. The spreads offer nutshell encapsulations of each figure’s accomplishments; Cloud’s understated artwork depicts the individuals performing, often against a single-color background. Each profile includes the tagline “still he/she danced...,” frequently highlighting instances of perseverance in the face of racism (e.g., “the principal ballerina’s husband refused to have her partnered by a Black man”). The book cries out for context, but the individual biographies are inspiring. A final page lists eight additional Black dancers. Ages 4–8.
Starred review from December 1, 2022
Gr 1-4-From the front cover alone, this title conveys a warmth and variety of styles, showcasing everything from traditional ballet to contemporary dance, and that "swans" is a gender-inclusive term. Inside, the respect continues. Six dancers whose lives span the dance world of the last century and this one are introduced with brief histories. The pattern for each dancer, from Arthur Mitchell to Misty Copeland, is carefully chosen and retold. Each one experiences a rejection of their talents, breakthroughs in the dance world, and an impressive exhibition of perseverance when they not only succeed but work to make their field more inclusive. The highlighted stories end with the refrain that they continued to dance or are dancing, lending a tone of resilience against trials. Every page of this book resonates with love and admiration for dance. Back matter includes a list of other dancers, notes about the author and illustrator, and the inspirations for the book. The dancers' athleticism and gorgeous costuming in the illustrations will make even casual readers want to leap to their feet and move. VERDICT A must for every collection, and a cornerstone for the dance shelves.-Cat McCarrey
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October 15, 2022
Grades 1-3 Essie Marie Dorsey (1893-1967) was Black but passed for Spanish so she could have a Flamenco career in the 1920s--ballet was off limits to her. "Still she danced," says the repeated refrain in this collective biography, and in 1926, she opened a Philadelphia ballet school that Black children could attend. When Arthur Mitchell (1934-2018) became the New York City Ballet's principal dancer and performed with a white ballerina, the crowd booed. "Still he danced," and in 1969, he founded Dance Theater of Harlem. Van der Linde also covers dancers Christian Holder, Dwight Rhoden, Misty Copeland, and Michaela DePrince, highlighting the determination that led them to succeed despite racism. Featuring living dancers--among them a dancer (Copeland) many children will know--as well as historical ones and performers who will be new to them, this book will attract readers who are curious about ballet. The muted jewel-toned images of the dancers are a lovely accompaniment to this useful introduction, which will aid in reports on dance, history, and biography.
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