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Dancing in the Wings
Sassy worries that her too-large feet, too-long legs, and even her big mouth will keep her from her dream of becoming a star ballerina. So for now she's just dancing in the wings, watching from behind the curtain, and hoping that one day it will be her turn to shimmer in the spotlight. When the director of an important dance festival comes to audition her class, Sassy's first attempts to get his attention are, well, a little wobbly. But Sassy just knows, somehow, that this is her time to step out from those wings, and make her mark on the world. Actress/choreographer Debbie Allen and Kadir Nelson collaborated on Brothers of the Knight , about which School Library Journal raved, "the strutting high-stepping brothers are full of individuality, attitude, and movement."
32 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2000
16 people are currently reading
1029 people want to read
About the author
Debbie Allen
2 books25 followersActor, director, dancer/choreographer and singer, Debbie Allen's career has touched nearly every facet of the entertainment industry.
Allen's Broadway career as a dancer, singer and actor began in the chorus of "Purlie". She next appeared in "Raisin", then in the 1979 production West Side Story", for which she won a prestigious Drama Desk Award, as well as, her first Tony Award nomination. Allen received another Tony Award nomination in 1986 for her role as Bob Fosse's "Sweet Charity".
Allen's choreography career soared in 1980 with the international hit TV series "Fame". In 1988 she went behind the scenes to choreograph the new American Musical "Carrie with the Royal Shakespeare Company" and has continued to devote herself to that discipline. She holds the distinction of having choreographed the Academy Awards for five consecutive years. Allen collaborated with James Ingram to create "Brothers of the Knight" which played at the prestigious Kennedy Center in Washington, DC in the spring of 1998.
As Resident Director of the hit television series "Fame", in which she also starred, Allen went on to direct episodes of "Family Ties", "Bronx Zoo", "A Different World" and the pilot for "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air", which she also produced. Her work with made-for-television movies, such as Disney's "Polly" and CBS's "Stompin at the Savoy" earned a reputation as one of the most sought after directors in Hollywood.
Recently, she directed the Martin Luther King special, entitled "One Day" for the Disney Channel as well as the critically acclaimed "Linc's Place" for Showtime.
Allen received international recognition as producer of Steven Spielberg's breathtaking "Amistad" As an actress, Allen received three Emmy Award nominations and one Golden Globe for her role as Lydia Grant in "Fame" She also received favorable notices for her role as Deloris Jordan in Fox Family Channels "Michael Jordan: An American Hero" and as Richard Pryor's feisty wife in the semi-autobiographical film "Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life is Calling."
Other feature films to her credit include Milo Forman's "Ragtime" and "The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh". This year she amazed audiences and critics alike with her portrayal of Harriet Tubman in "Harriet's Return" at the Geffen Playhouse.
Some of Allen's many honors include Essence Awards in 1992 and 1995, the first Lena Horne Award for Career Achievement at the Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards and two honorary doctorates, one from the North Carolina School of the Arts and the other from her alma mater, Howard University.
Allen currently resides in Los Angeles with her husband, Norman Nixon, and their two children, Vivian Nichole and Norman Jr.
Allen's Broadway career as a dancer, singer and actor began in the chorus of "Purlie". She next appeared in "Raisin", then in the 1979 production West Side Story", for which she won a prestigious Drama Desk Award, as well as, her first Tony Award nomination. Allen received another Tony Award nomination in 1986 for her role as Bob Fosse's "Sweet Charity".
Allen's choreography career soared in 1980 with the international hit TV series "Fame". In 1988 she went behind the scenes to choreograph the new American Musical "Carrie with the Royal Shakespeare Company" and has continued to devote herself to that discipline. She holds the distinction of having choreographed the Academy Awards for five consecutive years. Allen collaborated with James Ingram to create "Brothers of the Knight" which played at the prestigious Kennedy Center in Washington, DC in the spring of 1998.
As Resident Director of the hit television series "Fame", in which she also starred, Allen went on to direct episodes of "Family Ties", "Bronx Zoo", "A Different World" and the pilot for "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air", which she also produced. Her work with made-for-television movies, such as Disney's "Polly" and CBS's "Stompin at the Savoy" earned a reputation as one of the most sought after directors in Hollywood.
Recently, she directed the Martin Luther King special, entitled "One Day" for the Disney Channel as well as the critically acclaimed "Linc's Place" for Showtime.
Allen received international recognition as producer of Steven Spielberg's breathtaking "Amistad" As an actress, Allen received three Emmy Award nominations and one Golden Globe for her role as Lydia Grant in "Fame" She also received favorable notices for her role as Deloris Jordan in Fox Family Channels "Michael Jordan: An American Hero" and as Richard Pryor's feisty wife in the semi-autobiographical film "Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life is Calling."
Other feature films to her credit include Milo Forman's "Ragtime" and "The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh". This year she amazed audiences and critics alike with her portrayal of Harriet Tubman in "Harriet's Return" at the Geffen Playhouse.
Some of Allen's many honors include Essence Awards in 1992 and 1995, the first Lena Horne Award for Career Achievement at the Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards and two honorary doctorates, one from the North Carolina School of the Arts and the other from her alma mater, Howard University.
Allen currently resides in Los Angeles with her husband, Norman Nixon, and their two children, Vivian Nichole and Norman Jr.
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May 11, 2025
Dancing in the Wings is a great inspirational story about a young girl, who loves to dance. Her Mom calls her “Sassy” because she puts her hands on her hips and always has something to say. She sure has attitude!
But Sassy knows that it’s going to be hard to achieve her dream of being a ballet dancer because her feet are too big, and her legs are too long:
“I was too big for the boys to pick up, and too tall to be in line with the other girls. So I watched from backstage, dancing in the wings, hoping that if I just kept dancing and trying, it would be my turn to dance in the spotlight.”
Still, she’s used to fighting her corner. Her brother Hughie is always teasing her for her long toes, and she answers him right back about his “big head lookin’ like a streetlamp”. Her friends, both where she lives, and the others at the ballet school are always being mean to her too, but she puts her hands on her hips and gives back as good as she gets.
Sometimes her self-image wobbles a bit, but her mom is always right there:
“Stop all that bad talk! You act so ugly sometimes. Hughie, your big head is a sign of intelligence. And Sassy, your big feet will make your legs look longer and prettier in your ballet shoes.”
Sassy’s uncle too, encourages her to audition for a role in a summer dance festival. He’s called “Uncle Redd” because he always wears something red, but as he says, it’s the only way he can get noticed, as he’s small and ordinary. But as for Sassy, he says:
“All you gotta do to make your mark on the world is walk into a room.”
So Sassy cheers up a bit, and works really hard at her dance, ignoring all the snickering and snide remarks about her from the others. We see from the illustrations that she is tall, proud and graceful. She can leap higher, spin faster and jump further than anyone else. She is superb! But she is sad at never getting to dance in the recitals, and always dancing backstage in the wings by herself, as she is so tall. If she practises harder and harder, surely the day will come when it is her turn in the spotlight.
Then an announcement is made. A visitor is going to come and audition them, to choose someone to dance at the summer dance festival in Washington D.C. Everyone is excited, and Sassy wants to make her mark. She thinks of her Uncle Redd, and decides not to wear a black leotard like all the others. Instead she chooses a brilliant yellow leotard. Boom! The colour hits you, right in your face! Was this a good idea?
The important visitor who want to choose his dancers is a small man from Russia, “Mr Debato”, who is very disapproving. He sends Sassy right to the back. Never mind, thinks Sassy. I’ve made him notice me.
With a few false starts and a reprimand for leaping about uncontrollably, all ends well. The director of the festival echoes what her Uncle Redd had said almost word for word. Everyone back at home is jubilant - even her brother Hughie and his friends in the football team.
At the ballet school in Washington, there are dancers from all over the world, and Sassy is partnered with a boy who is also quite a bit taller than the others. By the time of the concert, Sassy feels as though she is dancing high on the Milky Way, just like in her dreams. And Hughie? Well he has won the grand prize at Space Camp in Alabama. Him with his big head, and:
“Me with my big feet … making my mark on the world”
This is a lovely uplifting picture book for youngsters of about 4 to 8 years. It is well written and the illustrations by Kadir Nelson are well nigh perfect. Not only does it teach the power of persistence and having belief in oneself, but the pictures accurately represent Sassy’s body, and the beauty of the dance movements she makes. It may well boost the confidence of any children who share Sassy’s lack of self-assurance. It is easy to identify with Sassy, and see from the lively illustrations, how Sassy’s grace belies her self-image, and the reader is easily led to believe in the bright future which Sassy has to come.
It is quite an unusual picture book as it is based on the real life experiences of its author, Debbie Allen. She is an American actress, dancer, choreographer, television director, television producer, and a member of the “President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities”. She grew up in Texas, loving to dance, and auditioned at the “Houston Ballet School” at the age of twelve. But even though her audition performance was excellent - far better than what was needed to be accepted by the school - she was devastated to be denied admission.
When she was sixteen, this happened again. Debbie Allen auditioned successfully for the “North Carolina School of the Arts”, and was asked to demonstrate dance techniques to the other prospective students. Yet she herself was not accepted, and even worse, told that her body was not suitable for ballet. Often at this time, African American dancers were discouraged from ballet, because they were told their body structure did not fit the preferred stereotypical ballet dancer’s body. Obviously such a prejudice was responsible for barring many talented and skilful dancers from training in ballet.
However Debbie Allen was not deterred, and branched out into other areas. She made a sideways move into acting, starring in the musical-drama television series “Fame”, as well as many other parts. Then in 2001, she fulfilled a lifelong dream by opening her “Debbie Allen Dance Academy” in Los Angeles, California. She teaches all the major dance techniques, including Classical Ballet, Modern, African, Jazz, and Hip-Hop, and the Academy is for both boys and girls, from aged four to eighteen. There are many additional specialist workshops.
Debbie Allen has been awarded an honorary doctorate from the “North Carolina School of the Arts”, as well as from “Howard University”, which she attended. As well as all the other work, she is keen to encourage a new generation of dancers through this and other books, which are loosely based on her own life story.
It is a very engaging read, and well deserving of four stars.
But Sassy knows that it’s going to be hard to achieve her dream of being a ballet dancer because her feet are too big, and her legs are too long:
“I was too big for the boys to pick up, and too tall to be in line with the other girls. So I watched from backstage, dancing in the wings, hoping that if I just kept dancing and trying, it would be my turn to dance in the spotlight.”
Still, she’s used to fighting her corner. Her brother Hughie is always teasing her for her long toes, and she answers him right back about his “big head lookin’ like a streetlamp”. Her friends, both where she lives, and the others at the ballet school are always being mean to her too, but she puts her hands on her hips and gives back as good as she gets.
Sometimes her self-image wobbles a bit, but her mom is always right there:
“Stop all that bad talk! You act so ugly sometimes. Hughie, your big head is a sign of intelligence. And Sassy, your big feet will make your legs look longer and prettier in your ballet shoes.”
Sassy’s uncle too, encourages her to audition for a role in a summer dance festival. He’s called “Uncle Redd” because he always wears something red, but as he says, it’s the only way he can get noticed, as he’s small and ordinary. But as for Sassy, he says:
“All you gotta do to make your mark on the world is walk into a room.”
So Sassy cheers up a bit, and works really hard at her dance, ignoring all the snickering and snide remarks about her from the others. We see from the illustrations that she is tall, proud and graceful. She can leap higher, spin faster and jump further than anyone else. She is superb! But she is sad at never getting to dance in the recitals, and always dancing backstage in the wings by herself, as she is so tall. If she practises harder and harder, surely the day will come when it is her turn in the spotlight.
Then an announcement is made. A visitor is going to come and audition them, to choose someone to dance at the summer dance festival in Washington D.C. Everyone is excited, and Sassy wants to make her mark. She thinks of her Uncle Redd, and decides not to wear a black leotard like all the others. Instead she chooses a brilliant yellow leotard. Boom! The colour hits you, right in your face! Was this a good idea?
The important visitor who want to choose his dancers is a small man from Russia, “Mr Debato”, who is very disapproving. He sends Sassy right to the back. Never mind, thinks Sassy. I’ve made him notice me.
With a few false starts and a reprimand for leaping about uncontrollably, all ends well. The director of the festival echoes what her Uncle Redd had said almost word for word. Everyone back at home is jubilant - even her brother Hughie and his friends in the football team.
At the ballet school in Washington, there are dancers from all over the world, and Sassy is partnered with a boy who is also quite a bit taller than the others. By the time of the concert, Sassy feels as though she is dancing high on the Milky Way, just like in her dreams. And Hughie? Well he has won the grand prize at Space Camp in Alabama. Him with his big head, and:
“Me with my big feet … making my mark on the world”
This is a lovely uplifting picture book for youngsters of about 4 to 8 years. It is well written and the illustrations by Kadir Nelson are well nigh perfect. Not only does it teach the power of persistence and having belief in oneself, but the pictures accurately represent Sassy’s body, and the beauty of the dance movements she makes. It may well boost the confidence of any children who share Sassy’s lack of self-assurance. It is easy to identify with Sassy, and see from the lively illustrations, how Sassy’s grace belies her self-image, and the reader is easily led to believe in the bright future which Sassy has to come.
It is quite an unusual picture book as it is based on the real life experiences of its author, Debbie Allen. She is an American actress, dancer, choreographer, television director, television producer, and a member of the “President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities”. She grew up in Texas, loving to dance, and auditioned at the “Houston Ballet School” at the age of twelve. But even though her audition performance was excellent - far better than what was needed to be accepted by the school - she was devastated to be denied admission.
When she was sixteen, this happened again. Debbie Allen auditioned successfully for the “North Carolina School of the Arts”, and was asked to demonstrate dance techniques to the other prospective students. Yet she herself was not accepted, and even worse, told that her body was not suitable for ballet. Often at this time, African American dancers were discouraged from ballet, because they were told their body structure did not fit the preferred stereotypical ballet dancer’s body. Obviously such a prejudice was responsible for barring many talented and skilful dancers from training in ballet.
However Debbie Allen was not deterred, and branched out into other areas. She made a sideways move into acting, starring in the musical-drama television series “Fame”, as well as many other parts. Then in 2001, she fulfilled a lifelong dream by opening her “Debbie Allen Dance Academy” in Los Angeles, California. She teaches all the major dance techniques, including Classical Ballet, Modern, African, Jazz, and Hip-Hop, and the Academy is for both boys and girls, from aged four to eighteen. There are many additional specialist workshops.
Debbie Allen has been awarded an honorary doctorate from the “North Carolina School of the Arts”, as well as from “Howard University”, which she attended. As well as all the other work, she is keen to encourage a new generation of dancers through this and other books, which are loosely based on her own life story.
It is a very engaging read, and well deserving of four stars.
March 22, 2010
Sassy! I want to meet this fiery young lady who takes her physical challenges and makes them work for her. In this Delightful story we meet this young dancer who dreams of being the star ballerina or her dance class. However, this seems impossible for Sassy due to her height and long limbs. She is an excellent dancer but does not fit the physical description of ballerina chosen to lead the dance recitals. When a famous choreographer comes to town to work with the dancers for their upcoming recital it id announced that a special part with be choreographed for a duet and one of the girls will be chosen as the lead. Sassy works extra hard to be chosen for this spot despite her physical challenges. This book was written in a such a way that any students feeling awkward about their appearance should feel inspired. It also helps teach lessons of persevering and going after your dreams no matter how challenging it may seem. This character should character and confidence, any young girl could appreciate reading this book.
January 27, 2020
This was soooo good! I really enjoyed the dynamic of that Allen made in allowing children to realize that who they are and what they look like physically shouldn't stop them from achieving their dreams and goals. It was fascinating and rewarding to watch the main character develop such an appreciation for herself and for ballet. It's also nice to see a black girl dancing ballet and participating in an activity where POC are a minority. This is one that I would definitely recommend for older readers as it is text heavy.
June 15, 2011
I wanted to like this one more than I did. Debbie Allen is certainly a star in the dance world and I appreciate the experience and expertise she brings to this book. And it's certainly promoting a good message of doing what you love best and doing what you love even when others tell you you can't or shouldn't. Then again, I just wasn't a fan of the way things were presented--there was too much negativity and name-calling for my taste (even if it was mostly resolved in the end) and the story seemed a bit over-long without anything really special happening style-wise. Also, while I'm a huge Kadir Nelson fan (and love the cover illustration), I'm not sure the style in the story really worked for me. I guess I was hoping for a bit more realistic portrayal of the dancers and these felt a bit like caricatures though I'm sure many people will love them. Anyway, there are definitely better dance books out there although this one is still worthwhile with the caveats that there is some name-calling and unkindness in the book that may not sit well with all audiences.
June 20, 2024
i’m reading all the picture books i’ve bought for my friends kids to figure out which ones to send to who and oh my gosh this one was so cute! reminded me a little of zoe saldana’s arc in the film center stage (which has been a favorite of mine since i was a kid) but written for kids / if her character was a kid. really love the message of believing in yourself and your passions, your dreams no matter what they people around you might project onto you. all you need is that one person to say yes, like bradley cooper casting lady gaga to star in his iteration of a star is born. 99 people might say no but all you need is one yes. keep dreaming! stay sassy! listen to your loved ones who have your back :))) but most of all never give up!
January 16, 2023
Text-to-Self Connection
Reading this book reminds me of being the only over weight girl on the step team. I was picked on and had a hard time getting the steps right. I felt so ashamed of my body, because I did'nt look like the other girls. When we had to dress the same for a show, my costumes always looked different. Even though I was picked on and felt horrible in my body, I kept stepping and showing up. Eventually, I became the solo act for an opening show, because I pushed so hard and I was so different. This book reminds me just how important it is to be ok in your own skin. To keep pushing no matter what. Everyone is made different and shines different.
Reading this book reminds me of being the only over weight girl on the step team. I was picked on and had a hard time getting the steps right. I felt so ashamed of my body, because I did'nt look like the other girls. When we had to dress the same for a show, my costumes always looked different. Even though I was picked on and felt horrible in my body, I kept stepping and showing up. Eventually, I became the solo act for an opening show, because I pushed so hard and I was so different. This book reminds me just how important it is to be ok in your own skin. To keep pushing no matter what. Everyone is made different and shines different.
February 6, 2021
The story is based on Debbie Allen's own daughters' experiences in ballet.
The illustrations are wonderfully created by (one of my newly discovered favorite illustrators), Kadir Nelson.
I respect Sassy's height, large feet and awkwardness, as well as her drive and passion.
A great book about following your dreams!
The illustrations are wonderfully created by (one of my newly discovered favorite illustrators), Kadir Nelson.
I respect Sassy's height, large feet and awkwardness, as well as her drive and passion.
A great book about following your dreams!
January 11, 2019
Dancer and actress Debbie Allen, and artist Kadir Nelson - the author/illustrator team who produced
Brothers of the Knight
, an African-American reinterpretation of the old German fairy-tale of
The Twelve Dancing Princesses
- turn their attention here to the world of ballet, and the result is a picture-book with considerable charm. The story of Sassy, a talented and enthusiastic young dancer who often feels like the odd one out, because she is taller than the other dancers in her studio, Dancing In the Wings follows its heroine through some discouraging experiences - teasing at the hands of her fellow dancers, as well as her brother; worries about body image, and being different - to a very happy conclusion.
I enjoyed Allen's narrative, which offers a very positive message about accepting who we are, and taking strength from those things which set us apart, while also working well as a story. I thought the name-calling back and forth, between Sassy and her brother, and Sassy and her studio-mates - something I have seen criticized in other reviews - was fairly realistic, and nothing so extreme that it need impede any but the most sensitive of readers in their enjoyment of the book. Kadir Nelson's artwork is, as always, simply gorgeous: he makes such wonderful use of light, and his figures are always so expressive! All that said - and I did enjoy this! - I'm not sure that Dancing In the Wings was quite the stand-out to me, that it seems to have been for other readers.
Still, it's a solidly engaging book, one I would recommend to young ballerinas - particularly those who are self conscious about some aspect of their bodies - to anyone looking for depictions of African-American children in the ballet (something I've not seen that frequently), and to fans of Kadir Nelson.
I enjoyed Allen's narrative, which offers a very positive message about accepting who we are, and taking strength from those things which set us apart, while also working well as a story. I thought the name-calling back and forth, between Sassy and her brother, and Sassy and her studio-mates - something I have seen criticized in other reviews - was fairly realistic, and nothing so extreme that it need impede any but the most sensitive of readers in their enjoyment of the book. Kadir Nelson's artwork is, as always, simply gorgeous: he makes such wonderful use of light, and his figures are always so expressive! All that said - and I did enjoy this! - I'm not sure that Dancing In the Wings was quite the stand-out to me, that it seems to have been for other readers.
Still, it's a solidly engaging book, one I would recommend to young ballerinas - particularly those who are self conscious about some aspect of their bodies - to anyone looking for depictions of African-American children in the ballet (something I've not seen that frequently), and to fans of Kadir Nelson.
June 1, 2014
I have read this book to my class in the past and will continue to do so for years to come.
Sassy, the main character, is representative of children I have taught in the past. A young African American girl with a dream of becoming a ballerina. Her home life is realistic, bickering with her brother but both love each other in the end. Her mother and uncle support her along the way. For a picture book, all of these characters feel real to me. You might not appreciate the bickering, but brothers and sisters bicker.
I noticed one of the boys in the class is silent and I wish the author would have mentioned a line or two about him. The other girls in the class aren't as well-rounded, falling into the roles of typical "mean girls" in order to progress the story along.
I love the fact that the story is open-ended, allowing the reader to continue Sassy's adventures as a ballerina after her summer concert.
This book would be great for boys and girls. Although it plays to the stereotype of girls wanting to become ballerinas and dancers, there is more to Sassy's story. This isn't a pie-in-the-sky dream for her. This book shows her struggle to reach her goal and how becoming a dancer is more than just a fluffy dream - it shows her ambition. I'm all for books with ambitious, realistic characters.
Sassy, the main character, is representative of children I have taught in the past. A young African American girl with a dream of becoming a ballerina. Her home life is realistic, bickering with her brother but both love each other in the end. Her mother and uncle support her along the way. For a picture book, all of these characters feel real to me. You might not appreciate the bickering, but brothers and sisters bicker.
I noticed one of the boys in the class is silent and I wish the author would have mentioned a line or two about him. The other girls in the class aren't as well-rounded, falling into the roles of typical "mean girls" in order to progress the story along.
I love the fact that the story is open-ended, allowing the reader to continue Sassy's adventures as a ballerina after her summer concert.
This book would be great for boys and girls. Although it plays to the stereotype of girls wanting to become ballerinas and dancers, there is more to Sassy's story. This isn't a pie-in-the-sky dream for her. This book shows her struggle to reach her goal and how becoming a dancer is more than just a fluffy dream - it shows her ambition. I'm all for books with ambitious, realistic characters.
April 12, 2019
My daughter enjoyed seeing a character that looked like her. It was an inspiring story, but I could've fine without the name calling and the 'you're momma' comment. Otherwise, it was a great book.
November 22, 2020
Sassy acquired her nickname as she always has something to say. She’s a real girl with big feet who loves to dance. Her height has meant she’s missed out of performances as she was “too big for the boys to pick up, and too tall to be in line with the other girls”.
However, when Mr Debato from the Russian School of ballet comes to find a talented individual for a dance festival, Sassy is the one who succeeds. Throughout the process she is teased by the other girls, but ultimately uses this bullying behaviour to motivate her to do her best. And although she originally had to dance in the wings, behind the stage, for the dance festival she gets to dance in the spotlight with a partner.
This book carries a lovely message of self acceptance as being true to yourself and believing in your self will pay off. There’s also the message that differences don’t mean you’re a lesser person with lesser skills, but sometimes differences are what enable you to achieve.
However, when Mr Debato from the Russian School of ballet comes to find a talented individual for a dance festival, Sassy is the one who succeeds. Throughout the process she is teased by the other girls, but ultimately uses this bullying behaviour to motivate her to do her best. And although she originally had to dance in the wings, behind the stage, for the dance festival she gets to dance in the spotlight with a partner.
This book carries a lovely message of self acceptance as being true to yourself and believing in your self will pay off. There’s also the message that differences don’t mean you’re a lesser person with lesser skills, but sometimes differences are what enable you to achieve.
September 26, 2018
This book is one of the very first books that young black girls are introduced to and see images of themselves reflected as the main character. I would even consider this a classic because it's interesting to children and the plot is so well developed that it makes them want to turn to the next page to see if Sassy makes her audition. Each character had different personalities and were so well written that if a spin-off book for another character were made I would definitely read that too! It also helps that the timeless message and theme is never giving up on your dream despite the naysayers.
Another great thing about is the illustrations done by Kadir Nelson. He depicted the African american skin and features in such a way that I just know a little girl can look at this book and see herself. He also did an excellent job on giving characters different shades of the black skin tone and not just one standard one shade fits all. I think that's very important culture wise because even though other cultures aren't represented in the story at least different shades are.
Another great thing about is the illustrations done by Kadir Nelson. He depicted the African american skin and features in such a way that I just know a little girl can look at this book and see herself. He also did an excellent job on giving characters different shades of the black skin tone and not just one standard one shade fits all. I think that's very important culture wise because even though other cultures aren't represented in the story at least different shades are.
January 1, 2025
Don’t judge… I had to finish my 2024 reading goal. A really sweet book though. It makes me want to read more children’s books in the future, even just as a nice refresher from some of the heavier “adult” books out there.
June 28, 2017
Great picture book about feeling good in your own skin and loving your unique qualities. Also, perfect for dancers or ballerinas.
November 24, 2021
Wonderful story and beautiful illustrations!
December 2, 2025
Dancing in the Wings is a picture book that follows a young girl who dreams of becoming a ballerina. She is tall so she gets teased by her peers and doubts her abilities. the young girl learns to embrace herself and starts to shine. This book is perfect to highlight confidence and celebrating what makes you unique. I chose this book because it provides a message to anyone who feels insecure or embarrassed when others are teasing you.
July 18, 2013
Dancing in the Wings is the story of Sassy, an aspiring ballerina, who doesn't exactly fit the physical profile of a dancer. Her legs are too long, her feet are too big, and she's clumsy. Nevertheless, Sassy wants nothing more than to be a star. She sees her opportunity when a famous director comes to town seeking talent for a dance recital.
The craft of tension is prevalent in this story. Sassy must reconcile her internal conflict which stems from wanting to be a ballerina, but not looking the part. One minute she seems confident and sassy, as her name implies: "One thing is for sure--because of my long legs and big feet, I could jump higher and spin faster than everyone else." The next minute Sassy is insecure and struggling with her self esteem: "I'm just so much taller than the other dancers...it means I stick out like a big acne bump on someone's nose. I'll never get to dance."
Sassy's personal struggles aren't the only form of tension that shows up in the story. There is also person v. person conflict. Fletcher states that "often an internal conflict does not exist in isolation but gets connect to another kind of conflict." In this case Sassy's self-esteem issues often arise as a direct result of teasing and name calling from her brother and other dancers. Sassy wants to believe in herself, but just when she builds her confidence the children around her drag her down.
I appreciate the fact that this book celebrates individuality and promotes perseverance and believing in your dreams. As a writing teacher it can be useful in showing students how to connect different types of conflict in their writing.
**Fletcher, R. (2013). What a Writer Needs (2nd ed). Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.**
The craft of tension is prevalent in this story. Sassy must reconcile her internal conflict which stems from wanting to be a ballerina, but not looking the part. One minute she seems confident and sassy, as her name implies: "One thing is for sure--because of my long legs and big feet, I could jump higher and spin faster than everyone else." The next minute Sassy is insecure and struggling with her self esteem: "I'm just so much taller than the other dancers...it means I stick out like a big acne bump on someone's nose. I'll never get to dance."
Sassy's personal struggles aren't the only form of tension that shows up in the story. There is also person v. person conflict. Fletcher states that "often an internal conflict does not exist in isolation but gets connect to another kind of conflict." In this case Sassy's self-esteem issues often arise as a direct result of teasing and name calling from her brother and other dancers. Sassy wants to believe in herself, but just when she builds her confidence the children around her drag her down.
I appreciate the fact that this book celebrates individuality and promotes perseverance and believing in your dreams. As a writing teacher it can be useful in showing students how to connect different types of conflict in their writing.
**Fletcher, R. (2013). What a Writer Needs (2nd ed). Portsmouth, NH: Heinemann.**
June 16, 2016
I am reading a list of picture books this summer, looking for ones to include in my junior high classroom library.
What I am looking for in the text, with teen readers in mind, is some dialogue, sentence variety, topic-specific vocabulary, and an idea or issue that will prompt teen readers to do deeper inquiry into that idea. I'd like the idea to promote diversity, as in including diverse voices and perspectives with a historical, environmental, social, and even global context.
The artwork is also important. I am looking for diverse faces and settings with images that teen readers can "read."
I really loved this story -- perhaps because so much of it was a mirror to me with the height part, but certainly because of the interaction among family members. I think it is important to see African American families in happy, healthy home environments when so much of the teen literature tends to feature African Americans in poverty or with family problems. The father was absent in this story, but there was no empty space of emotion or love needing to be filled. The mom, uncle, brother --they supported Sassy with natural dialogue and gestures as she embraced her gifts. I liked the sass, and the art work captured facial expressions so well (the sass was in the eyes). This book is going into the middle school classroom library -- so many teens will appreciate a book that invites them to make sense of their bodies are changing.
What I am looking for in the text, with teen readers in mind, is some dialogue, sentence variety, topic-specific vocabulary, and an idea or issue that will prompt teen readers to do deeper inquiry into that idea. I'd like the idea to promote diversity, as in including diverse voices and perspectives with a historical, environmental, social, and even global context.
The artwork is also important. I am looking for diverse faces and settings with images that teen readers can "read."
I really loved this story -- perhaps because so much of it was a mirror to me with the height part, but certainly because of the interaction among family members. I think it is important to see African American families in happy, healthy home environments when so much of the teen literature tends to feature African Americans in poverty or with family problems. The father was absent in this story, but there was no empty space of emotion or love needing to be filled. The mom, uncle, brother --they supported Sassy with natural dialogue and gestures as she embraced her gifts. I liked the sass, and the art work captured facial expressions so well (the sass was in the eyes). This book is going into the middle school classroom library -- so many teens will appreciate a book that invites them to make sense of their bodies are changing.
April 25, 2014
Dancing in the Wings was one of my childhood favorite books. It follows a young African American girl who is struggling to follow her dreams in becoming a ballerina. She is discouraged by fellow peers in her classes who constantly tease her for her height and long limbs. Her self confidence is at an all time low after she was the last to be called at an audition. Little did she know that the instructor saw great potential and beauty in her height and long limbs and had chosen her for a solo performance in front of a huge audience.
Again this would be a problem solving book. This would be a book I would use for 1st-3rd. I would read the book in increments so we could stop, dialogue and problem solve through the book. There would be crucial stopping points where I would split students in group and they would have a set of questions as guiding points to help them come up with a solution and what they would do if they were in the characters position. We would present and compare/contrast as a whole class using a venn diagram each time we deliberate in small groups.
Again this would be a problem solving book. This would be a book I would use for 1st-3rd. I would read the book in increments so we could stop, dialogue and problem solve through the book. There would be crucial stopping points where I would split students in group and they would have a set of questions as guiding points to help them come up with a solution and what they would do if they were in the characters position. We would present and compare/contrast as a whole class using a venn diagram each time we deliberate in small groups.
July 24, 2012
OK I debated between 4 and 5 stars here, but that was because growing up as that 'tallest dancer in the studio' brought back so many memories that I couldn't tell if I loved it because it really is an amazing book, or because it resembled my youth so closely. Sassy is a young ballerina, very tall, with very large feet. Her brother teases her, she teases him back. The surrounding family story definitely rings true to the reader. Inside the studio, she definitely stands out (which by the end she comes to appreciate about herself) being the tallest, and to an audition where everyone else wore black, she wore yellow. Sassy learns to love herself and be herself throughout the story. I believe regardless of whether you are or were a dancer you will appreciate the triumph Sassy has, as well as her struggles (internally and externally) to get there.
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October 31, 2016Text-to-Self Connection: How does the story connect to your personal experiences or background.
I really enjoyed reading this book to my elite dance class. I connected with this story because just like myself, Sassy was different and didn't like how she looked at times. I was different from the other girls in my class, but just like Sassy I love to dance. I remember when I was sixteen years old and I tried out for my high school dance team . I was so nervous because I was bigger than the other girls but I remembered my passion for dance and let my light shine during my audition. The main character in the this story Sassy had long legs and big feet but she didn't let that stop her from showing off her talent to a director that came to visit her dance class. Just like sassy i would stand in the back of my class when it was time to perform.
I really enjoyed reading this book to my elite dance class. I connected with this story because just like myself, Sassy was different and didn't like how she looked at times. I was different from the other girls in my class, but just like Sassy I love to dance. I remember when I was sixteen years old and I tried out for my high school dance team . I was so nervous because I was bigger than the other girls but I remembered my passion for dance and let my light shine during my audition. The main character in the this story Sassy had long legs and big feet but she didn't let that stop her from showing off her talent to a director that came to visit her dance class. Just like sassy i would stand in the back of my class when it was time to perform.
February 10, 2014
Sassy has big feet and long legs and loves to dance. If only her brother and the girls from dance class would stop teasing her. One day when Sassy is particularly down about getting teased her Uncle Redd tells her, "All you gotta do to make your mark on the world is walk into a room." Sassy considers her uncle's words and on the day of tryouts for the summer dance festival in Washington D.C.,Sassy takes action.
March 7, 2014
I took time out from my regular reading list to read to my 3 year old niece. I told her only one book and this is the one she picked. I LOVED this book not just because of the diversity of the characters but because the main characters in the book were awkward and did not fit the normal perception of beauty/grace/talent. I really doubt my niece got those points but for me after 25+ years of working with kids of all ages I applaud any celebration of the differences that make us unique.
April 1, 2015
What an amazing book. Sassy learned to embrace her insecurity and not let it come between her dreams of going on stage!
May 29, 2025
Superb.
Original read: December 2020.
Reread: May 2025.
Original read: December 2020.
Reread: May 2025.
July 29, 2015
An adorable and encouraging story about how its OK to be different and dream big.
November 14, 2017
This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!
Hello, friends! Today’s book is Dancing In The Wings, written by Debbie Allen and illustrated by Kadir Nelson, a story about a young girl finding the self-confidence to achieve her dreams.
Since she was very little, Sassy has always longed to dance. She works hard in her ballet class, but there is one problem: Sassy is a head taller than all the other pupils, with long legs and large feet. Because of her size, she rarely gets to perform, having to dance in the wings offstage instead. When an opportunity to audition for a special ballet program comes up, Sassy is eager to try out. That is, until she overhears two girls making fun of her size. Crestfallen, she begins to lose her nerve, until her Uncle Red convinces her that standing out is nothing to be ashamed of. Determined, Sassy decides to embrace her uniqueness: rather than try to blend in, she finds the confidence to stand out.
We had a mostly positive experience with this one. First, as a tall woman with a daughter who may grow be tall herself, I’m happy to find a book that celebrates tall girls. Sassy’s revelation that being different or being noticed can often help us toward our goals is a fantastic lesson for girls, inside and out. Being confident, self-assured and having positive body-image is always something that young girls should be encouraged to do. Two sticking points for me, though: a lot of premium was placed on Sassy’s looks, but far less on her non-physical attributes. I was also slightly disappointed that when another character would insult Sassy’s appearance, she would often retort by insulting the other person’s appearance in turn. Sinking to a bully’s level of being petty or cruel isn’t the best lesson. Still, this was a mostly positive story, with some lovely art to boot. The length was a bit long for babies, but JJ enjoyed it. So we’re calling this one Baby Bookworm approved!
Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews!
February 12, 2023
This books follows the story of Sassy a young girl who loves to dance but is taller than everyone else in her class. She struggles when people begin to make fun of her for it. One day a famous ballet teacher comes to select a student to go to Washington, and Sassy wanted to try out, but the other girls made fun of her yet again. Her Uncle Redd told her to not let it get her down but to draw the attention to herself. So that is what she did when the teacher came in from Washington she wore a bright yellow leotard. After a long day of auditions she was the one selected to go to washington. When she got there she was placed with a 5'10 12 year old who was able to do the lifts with her since she wasn't too tall. I think this is a wonderful book, and although it doesn't explicitly mention race it does handle it beautifully. Everyone in the book is diverse there is a part of the book that says "At the school there were young dancers from Russia, Mexico, France, China, Cuba, Brazil, New York, Texas, and long-legged me from Inglewood California." Sassy is a person of color who loves ballet, and part of the reason I love this book so much is because my younger sister is a person of color who loves ballet, and this is her book that she imagines herself as the main character of. I would recomend this book to anyone. It would work well for all elementary age children, and especially for children of color who love ballet and maybe the young girls who are tall and struggle with confidence. This book would be a wonderful addition to a classroom library.
April 25, 2018
Dancing in the Wings is a book about a young girl named Sassy who dreams about being a ballerina. Unfortunately for Sassy she does not fit the usual physical description of a ballerina. She is tall and has big feet. She is also worried about her Sass and how that also holds her back. However, a professional dance choreographer is coming to her town to help her class and audition them for a special part in their next recital. Sassy really wants to impress him and works hard despite her physical challenges to earn the part. This books illustrations are highly detailed and stand alone without the text. They are worth looking through twice to find small details missed in the first read. This is meant to be a book read allowed so the text is small.
I gave this book a four. I relate to this book because I am especially tall with large feet also, and I used to be a dancer so I understand her perspective feeling like an outcast because of her body type. I love that this book teaches kids to not be self conscious and to not let there physical appearance deter them from doing what they love. The only thing I do not like is that they also made her character sassy, it gives her character but there is a fine line between sassy and disrespectful.
I gave this book a four. I relate to this book because I am especially tall with large feet also, and I used to be a dancer so I understand her perspective feeling like an outcast because of her body type. I love that this book teaches kids to not be self conscious and to not let there physical appearance deter them from doing what they love. The only thing I do not like is that they also made her character sassy, it gives her character but there is a fine line between sassy and disrespectful.
May 9, 2021
“Dancing in the Wings” by Debbie Allen is an award-winning memoir based on her own experiences growing up as a dancer for children ages 4-8. It is about a young girl called “Sassy” who was known for having exceptionally large feet and her hands always on her hips. Her dream was to be a part of the summer dance festival in Washington. During the tryouts, all the girls talked about her because not only did she had long feet, but she was also the tallest child in the class, and she stood out by wearing a yellow leotard instead of a black one. By the end of the book, not only did she get to go to Washington, but she her first duet dance with another boy who was tall; she finally got her moment. I think this a great book for children to see that if you work hard, you can accomplish your dreams even if you have “rough” start. I read this book as a child as I was once a dancer and I know read it to my niece. The illustrator does a good job of showing how happy “Sassy” is at the end when she gets her solo dance on stage. Debbie Allen inspires all children to always follow their heart and focus on their dreams no matter what.
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