Misty’s personal conviction that dreams are achievable is entwined throughout. Hope for a better future is a pervasive theme in this remarkable picture book. Imagery is prevalent in phrases such as “we will wrap our hearts careful as ribbons on pointe shoes.” Figurative language and wordplay is employed, as is rhyme and rhythm.

Her style of writing is as unique as she is. Not only is Copeland accomplished in the dance, she is accomplished with words.

The style and language of the book is light and lifting. This is accurate since Copland is a soloist for the American Ballet Theatre, which is located in New York City. The setting for the book is New York City as evidenced by the illustration of the Brooklyn Bridge with the city lights behind. The stereotypes are abolished in this book as the African American women are ballerinas and live in a cultured, fine arts environment. Facial features and hairstyles are accurate cultural markers. Every person in the book is African American with varying shades of skin tone. The African American cultural markers appear throughout the pages. She does not gloss over her success, but attributes it to a belief in herself and unwavering perseverance. However, Copeland shows her a different view of herself practicing for hours, even as a teenage girl. The young dancer sees only Misty’s success. Copeland enters the dialogue and the plot with words of encouragement. She laments the distance between where she is now and where the accomplished ballerina is. The story begins with the girl’s heavy heart. The dialogue between Copeland and the young, nameless dancer forms the plot. Also noted is her role in Swan Lake with the white tutu. The illustrations give acknowledgement to Misty’s signature role in The Firebird, a ballet written by Russian composer Igor Stravinsky. The dramatic artwork conveys movement and emotion with the two dancers. Christopher Myers’ collages cause the pictures to soar as Misty dances across the pages. It is a magnificent blend of vibrant illustrations and poetic language. This multicultural picture book is intended for readers through third grade, but would appeal to older readers as well. She speaks encouragement and self-assurance to the young dancer as she begins her own unique journey to become a ballerina. In the conversation with the fledgling dancer, Copeland reminisces back to her early days of hard work when she began dancing at the age of thirteen.

The famous African American ballerina, Misty Copeland, meets a young African American dancer and encourages her to continue pursuing her dream of becoming a ballerina.

Firebird misty