Brontorina

Publishers Weekly

Howe (Bunnicula) pens a humorous and inspiring tale about a big dinosaur with a big dream: "n my heart," Brontorina says, "I am a ballerina." Thoughtful, white-haired instructor Madame Lucille is willing to give it a try. A rocky transition period (the studio's ceiling takes a lot of punishment) is at last resolved when Madame Lucille moves her classes outdoors, with the promise that Brontorina's struggle will open up the world of ballet to still more candidates--the studio's new sign reads, "Madame Lucille's Outdoor Dance Academy for Girls and Boys and Dinosaurs and Cows." The final page shows a triceratops holding Brontorina high, a silent retort to Madame Lucille's earlier despairing wail: "And how in the world will a male dancer ever lift you over his head?" Cecil (Gator) contributes oil paintings whose simple forms are balanced by sophisticated textures and restrained colors, while he has fun punching up the contrast between the massive Brontorina and her tiny classmates. Meanwhile, asides from the kids provide a string of giggles. It's a satisfying story that adheres closely to its central message about overcoming obstacles. Ages 4-8. (Aug.)

Children's Literature - Cynthia Levinson

Brontorina Apatosaurus has a dream: she wants to dance. So she goes to Madame Lucille's Dance Academy for Girls and Boys for lessons. Madame feels it necessary to point out that Brontorina has a problem: she is a dinosaur. And, as some of her pupils add, she is too big and lacks the right shoes. Brontorina, however, is unfazed for, in her heart, she is a dancer. Students Clara and Jack plead her case, and won over, Madame gamely tries to teach the dinosaur to dance. When she directs the class to "releve" however, Brontorina's head crashes through the ceiling. And, though Madame praises her gracefulness, the dinosaur lands on the piano and nearly swipes children with her tail. Furthermore, as Madame sadly realizes, no male dancer could lift her over his head, not even Jack. Just as Brontorina is about to quit, Clara's mother brings hand-sewn dinosaur-sized ballet slippers. With the shoe problem solved, the class sets out to find a larger studio. When neither warehouses nor barns work, Jack proposes holding lessons outdoors. With the school's name changed to Madame Lucille's Outdoor Dance Academy for Girls and Boys and Dinosaurs, everyone who wants to dance is welcome, including a dinosaur big enough to lift Brontorina. Though she is a looming, orange presence, the main character is drawn with the large eyes and plucky demeanor of a small child who has big dreams. With her white hair pulled into a bun, Madame Lucille appears strict but clearly wants everyone to experience the joys of dance. In a minimum of words, this charming book, which will appeal to both boys and girls, tells a witty story with a gentle but essential lesson. Reviewer: Cynthia Levinson

School Library Journal

Gr 2—Howe weaves a well-spun tale about acceptance and pursuing one's dream. When Brontorina Apatosaurus appears at the door of Madame Lucille's Dance Academy for Boys and Girls, she faces what could be sure rejection. Young Clara and Jack tug at Madame to accept her, while naysayers jeer at her lack of proper shoes. Finally, Madame admits Brontorina, and humorous scenes show little boys and girls doing arabesques, relevés, and jetés, while enormous Brontorina gracefully crashes into the ceiling. Madame concludes that the new pupil is just too big. Brontorina turns to leave, a dinosaur-size tear falling from her eye. Then the teacher has a realization: "The problem is not that you are too big. The problem is that my studio is too small," and the academy gets relocated and renamed. A quiet fusion of pathos, comedy, and passion is echoed in the painterly, softly textured, muted oil illustrations. The final picture of the orange dinosaur perched like a bird atop a dancing triceratops, silhouetted against the setting sun, is priceless.—Sara Lissa Paulson, American Sign Language and English Lower School PS 347, New York City