Belinda the Ballerina

Belinda the Ballerina

by Amy Young

Once there was a ballerina named Belinda. Belinda loved to dance, but she had two big problems: her left foot and her right foot. When people made fun of her, Belinda decided to give up dance forever. But what will she do without it? With her determination and spirit, she finds a way to continue doing what she loves best. Belinda takes center stage in this charming story in which the size of her feet is rivaled only by the size of her heart.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction

32 pages, Paperback

First published March 10, 2003

About the author

Amy Young trained as a fine artist at Yale and received an MFA in painting from Indiana University as well as a law degree from Harvard. She lives in Spring Lake, Michigan.

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 STARS. Cute story, but I would have liked it better if Belinda had been a bit more determined to stay with ballet at first rather than immediately accepting defeat. Still, the story progresses nicely and I like that she finds the spirit to return to dance, even if it's only for her own enjoyment--at first! ;->

The illustrations are a bit exaggerated for my taste, and some of her ballet poses made me cringe, but it's still good fun.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poor Belinda! I feel her pain.
Belinda wants to be a ballerina, but she has 2 problems: she has oversized feet.
Belinda decides to leave dance when she is put down by others. She finds another outlet in life, but will she ever dance again?
Very cute story about persistence, acceptance, confidence and learning that trying something new may bring about something even better.

Every adult will appreciate this. Every kid will. Challenge for the readers: See when you start noticing that you're no longer noticing Belinda's feet. :)

[Erin Bembridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book so much as a kid :)

[Books and Blocks · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Maybe the judges are right. Maybe my feet are to big for a dancer."

Belinda loved to dance and her big feet had never stopped her from dancing before. But when the judges at her audition looked down on her because of her feet even before she started dancing, she was not so sure anymore.

It's a relatable story about a dream crushed, self-doubt and self-discovery. It shows how opinions of others should not define our self-worth. On the other side, it reminds us to see the positive in people instead of focusing on the flaws. When we focus on the dancing, we no longer notice the big feet.

My daughter loves the story about ballerina and we talked about Belinda's feelings, sad, disappointed, doubtful, but also passionate and joyful to find her love of dancing again at the end. It's another secondhand book gem, hardback in excellent condition ❤

More picture book reviews at IG @booksandblocks.id

[Charlotte S · Rating 5 out of 5]

My grandparents got this book for me when I was little and I've loved it ever since! Belinda was a ballerina. A ballerina who loved to dance. She was very graceful and very light on her toes. She only had two problems. Her left foot and her right foot. Anytime she entered a dance recital, the judges would simply look at her feet and tell her to stop. They were huge! Discouraged, Belinda gives up ballet and starts working at a restaurant. Soon, a Maestro from the Grand Metropolitan Ballet came to the restaurant and saw Belinda dancing. He was impressed! Will Belinda stick with her dream and keep on dancing? I love this book - the illustrations are so fun! It's so sweet and has a great message of never giving up on your dreams! Belinda really has the can-do spirit! Thank you for reading! Follow @bronteandwilder on Instagram for more fun book recommendations!

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very sweet story about a girl that loved to dance but had huge feet. She was judged by judges before they allowed her to dance. She was very sad because she received the criticism. She decided to find something new to try to fall in love with like she loved ballet. But did she find satisfaction in anything else? I guess you will have to see!

My children all really liked this. My daughter picked it out because she loves ballet (she's 3). It was a quick read but was a great way to demonstrate that you shouldn't judge someone on how they look. This is a great book to teach good character traits to your children!

[Jun Wang]

For us, I think everyone should read this book, not only children, but also adults. The turning point of Belinda's ballet dance tells us that everyone has their own shortcomings and advantages, but we can't feel inferior, shrink back, or even give up because of our "shortcomings". Only by bravely facing your own "shortcomings" can you achieve ultimate success. Not only to let children feel, but also to ourselves, don't care too much about other people's eyes, the most important thing is to be true to yourself.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute illustrations.

[SPOILERS AHEAD]

It was sad when Belinda gave up on her dreams, but good that she ended up fulfilling her passion and continuing it when someone saw her talent instead of her feet. I also liked the last line in the book that Belinda didn't care what the judges thought anymore. She just wants to dance.

[Brianna Owoc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Belinda the Ballerina is a simple inspiring story. Belinda is a relatable character to those who were crushed to follow their dream. Belinda eventually finds a way to pursue her dreams by going a different route. The story touches lightly on the time when Belinda is depressed and decides to give up her dream. Belinda is able to follow her dream by the end of the story having a happy ending.

[Rachael · Rating 4 out of 5]

While reading this book I felt ambitious. I felt like this because belinda had a desire to do ballet, but every one said her feet were too big, but that didn't stop her. I learned that you can't tell yourself you can't do something just because someone else says you can't do it. After reading this book I try to block out the fact that someone said I couldn't do something.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the story. A girl who wants to be a ballerina has really big feet, which hampers her goal. But the true heart of the story is doing what you love to do despite the obstacles.

Even better, the moral of the story was written in such a way where children will enjoy the book AND get the point.

[Goshen PL Childrens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read at Storytime on April 11th
Theme: Just Dance!

[Kathryn · Rating 2 out of 5]

The text didn't seem to flow as well as her later books. The illustrations are lovely. These books don't have to be read in order to understand Belinda.

[Ellista Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an adorable book emphasizing The importance of self-worth and confidence.
ATOS: 3.1
Lex: AD550L

[Mary-Kate Ganssle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Belinda the Ballerina
Author: Amy Young
Date of Publication: 2002
Genre: Fiction

Summary:
Belinda was an amazing ballerina who was very graceful and talented. She was unlike many other dancers, because her feet were very large. When she performed at the Annual Ballet Recital, the judges told her she would never make it as a dancer because her feet were too big. Belinda took their advice and quit dancing. She began working as a waitress at a restaurant and couldn’t help but dance to the music the live band played in the dining room. When her manager saw how gifted she was, he asked her to perform regularly for the guests. As word spread of the talented dancer at the restaurant, she drew larger and larger crowds. Finally, a maestro from the Grand Metropolitan Ballet came to see her, and was stunned. He asked her to perform at Grand Metropolitan Hall, where the crowd was blown away by her gift. No one noticed the size of her feet since they were too busy watching her dance.

Evaluation:
This story is written very colorfully with illustrations that compliment and progress the story line well. An early reader would enjoy this book as the text is broken up well from page to page, making it a quick and easy read. The author’s message of embracing your differences shines through and is subtle enough to make it easy for young children to relate to. I definitely recommend this book!

Discussion questions:
1.What made Belinda different than other ballerinas?
2. Did the size of her feet affect her ability to dance? Why/Why not?
3. Is it fair that the judges told her she would never make it as a dancer?
4. Has anyone ever tried to discourage you from doing something you love? How did you react?
5. What makes you unique?

[Sarah Sammis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Belinda the Ballerina by Amy Young is the first of a series about a young woman who has big feet but loves to dance. The others in the series include: Belinda in Paris, Belinda Begins Ballet and Belinda and the Glass Slipper.

So Belinda is a girl who loves to dance. But she's not the typically petite ballerina. She's too tall and with her height comes big feet. She ends up setting aside her dream to wait tables. At the restaurant though she's given the chance to dance for the customers.

In true musical fashion, Belinda is discovered at the restaurant. She's at long last given a chance to dance ballet. The book closes with her on stage much as the original Angelina Ballerina book does (review coming).
I'm going to close with an observation my daughter made about Belinda's feet: "All ballerinas look like they have big feet when they're wearing pointe shoes."

My daughter picked out the book because she's taking ballet and tap. I'm not sure which type of dance she prefers but she loves to pick out books about dancing. She's also starting to discover the old MGM musicals. She likes the dance sequences in Daddy Long Legs, for instance.

[Roger DeBlanck · Rating 5 out of 5]

This touching picture book focuses on the title character, Belinda, a young girl who dreams of becoming a ballerina. At a recital, the judges tell her that due to her huge feet, her dream of dancing is impossible. With her confidence shaken, Belinda stops dancing and finds work at a restaurant where the customers admire her lightness of foot. Before long, the Maestro of the Grand Ballet notices her and brings her to the stage. The story’s message of perseverance and belief draws readers in quickly. The prose has fluid pace that gathers momentum and allows for genuine engagement with the story’s varying emotions, which range from sadness to joy. The simple elegance of the pictures compliments the text’s emotions. The illustrations are detailed enough for an audience of listeners to enjoy the pictures while having the book read to them. The colors are toned and pastel, not too bland or flamboyant to detract from Belinda’s heartfelt story. This wonderful picture book is the type to read over and over to inspire and reaffirm positive feelings of self. The book is perfect for a single child and would be equally strong for a school-age audience between the of ages 5-9.

[Slayermel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Belinda the Ballerina loves to dance, she is graceful and quick on her feet, there’s only one problem, well two actually! The size of her feet, they are HUGE!

Belinda goes to try out for an audition, it’s all she’s dreamed off and before she can even dance for the judges, they ridicule her for the size of her feet and won’t even let her audition. Devastated Belinda hangs up her tutu and slippers and get’s herself a waitressing job at a local Café. One day a group of musicians come in to play at the Café and Belinda starts to dance. The cook asks her to dance for the customers and before you know it they have known Ballet experts arriving at the Café to watch Belinda and try to get her to perform for them at their events.

This is a really sweet story of being prejudged by the way you look rather then what you are capable of doing.

[Sandie · Rating 3 out of 5]

My daughter liked this book quite a bit. I liked it as well. Its about a young lady who loves to dance and doesn't ever notice that her feet are just huge until she goes to audition for the ballet. The judges immediately notice her large feet and point them out to her and explain that she will never be a dancer. Belinda is sad...for a long time and then decides to give up dancing. This part is a bit discouraging since she gives up something she is good at and loves because of the opinions of others. But as she begins to heal at her new job at a restaurant she begins to find her love of dance again. In the end she is dancing and happy and she is cheered on by the ballet company! The ending is happy and the middle is probably very close to reality for many.

I thought it was a good book, my daughter enjoyed....we would read it again.

[Phuong Dao · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a very good book. It is about a girl name Belinda who loves to dance and do ballet. When she tried out for ballet the judges thinks that her feet are too big to do ballet. Belinda was sad and she decided to work for Fred Fine Dinning. Everybody loves her because she was a hard worker and she dance so beautifully. One day words come around and the judges from Metropolitian hall came to see her dance, he love it so much and he asked her to dance for his Metropolitan Hall. I think this book is good to teach children to love themselves and accept themselves for who they are. Nobody is perfect in this world, if you love yourself and accept you for who you are people will love you. Be true to ourselve.

[Missy Kirtley]

I love the lesson that this book teaches. Even though Belinda has been told that she'll never be a professional ballerina, she still loves to dance. She moves on with her life, but the passion that she feels remains. She does continue to dance, in a different way and after a little time has passed, and people see the love she has, see the joy she feels, and they enjoy the dance as much as she does.

The lesson is to never give up on your passions. Belinda is realistic, though she's sad, and finds new friends when one door closes. But the door that closed also opened a window.

We'll definitely hang onto this one and read it again.

[Sheniece · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this book because I can very much relate to the little girl Belinda. There are too many times where people are discouraged to do something they like to do because of the opinion of someone else. The little girl Belinda decided not to be a ballerina anymore because the judges at her audition told her her feet were too big and that she couldn't be a ballerina because of that. Students will appreciate hearing this story because a lot of them will have had experience just like Belinda. Have a discussion about not letting people's opinion stop you from doing what you like.

[Yadira · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book can be used to allow children to explore what their hopes and dreams are. In the book Belinda wants to be a ballerina, but the only problem is that she has really big feet and has been told that because of this physical attribute she cannot be a ballerina. Although Belinda has been told this, she continues to have a positive attitude. Belinda, the ballerina can be used to help children learn to accept who they are and to let them know that they can be anything they aspire to be.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Belinda has HUGE feet but she doesn't let them hold her back from doing what she loves. It's a sweet story that teaches kids to not put too much value in what other people might think of them. Plus I love that the characters are diverse --- you see a nice mix of different people from different walks of life in the background. Very cool!

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would say this book is geared more for older preschoolers and older- maybe even beginning reader to try and look at on their own. Themes of not giving up on your dreams, and not judging others before you know them are presented. Illustrations compliment the text, and the story is cute, and loosely follows the typical plot format of a novel.

[Amy Wise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is about Belinda who wants to be a ballerina, but is told her feet are too long and is made fun of by people. She is determined and shows them all that she can dance...long feet and all. It's a story about tenacity and self-confidence. I liked it!

[San Frazier · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have a little girl who loves to dance this is the book for you it is a story about a girl who was told her feet where to big. for a bit she let this stop her from dancing, but after awhile she realized she could not give it up.....

[Jessie Horcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book I read as a part of a bullying text set. It was great because it showed someone who had what they felt was a flaw (big feet) and it prevented them from doing what they loved until they realized that what others think doesn't matter.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Belinda is discouraged from dancing because of her big feet until she learns that other’s opinions don’t matter as long as she is happy. A great picture book that relates to kids when discussing bullying in the classroom.

[Elizabeth Smitheram · Rating 4 out of 5]

Belinda is discouraged from dancing because of her big feet until she learns that other’s opinions don’t matter as long as she is happy. It's a cute book that highlights how great individuality is and that everyone is different in a good way. I would keep this in my classroom.