parker shines on another extraordinary moment

Music takes center stage and bullies get properly pun-ished in this hearty and wholesome howl.Ī unicorn learns a friendship lesson in this chapter-book series opener. Haley slips those lines, along with references to “Jowlene” and “I will pawlways love you,” into painted scenes of an all-dog-or-Dolly cast set against swirls of music and simply drawn backdrops. After a “ruff day” in which being scorned by big dogs for not being a “true muttropolitan” leaves him feeling “lower than a stick on the ground,” he eats some flowers, strums some tunes, forms a band with a trio of little dogs, and, after sending the big pooches packing, trots out a “pawsome” performance at the “Battle of the Bow-Wows.” And from there it’s on to the Grand Ole Opry to hear his big-haired favorite singer warble out lines from her song “Makin’ Fun Ain’t Funny,” about celebrating differences rather than mocking them. Inspired by musical dreams, Billy heads for Nashville. Promising at the outset that this is just the first of a series of adventures starring her beloved “god-dog,” Parton goes on to hit all the conventional thematic notes. In this picture book from singer Parton and co-author Perl, a small French bulldog goes to Nashville, joins a band, fends off bullies, and meets one of the queens of country music. This second Parker book indeed shines (but not as ballet instruction). The backmatter includes brief bios of the dancers seen on the posters, a note from Jessica Curry about Parker’s love of dance, and an afterword from Misty Copeland. Both lapses will have balletomanes clucking their tongues. Jackson’s colorful, child-friendly cartoons include illustrations of basic ballet movements, some incorrectly labeled they also depict Parker and her classmates dancing on pointe though they are much too young and not wearing proper toe shoes.

Parker models excellent skills of kindness in her relationships with her siblings as well as with Mira.

This is a charming story of determination and friendship. On the day of her recital, Parker is surprised to see that Mira is overcome with stage fright and thinks quickly to help her and thus save the show. She practices at home to perfect her moves, even when little sister Ava and baby brother Cash interrupt. When Parker wonders how she can dance like Mira, she “looks up” and is inspired by the posters of well-known Black ballet dancers in the dance studio. One day in dance class, Parker careens into new student Mira, whose performance of some advanced moves leaves Parker impressed and excited. In this follow-up to Parker Looks Up (2019), the mother-and-daughter author team explores Parker’s experience as a big sister, beginner ballerina, and friend.

Parker shines on another extraordinary moment