Tallulah's Solo

Written by Marilyn Singer

Narrated by Christina Moore

Marilyn Singer's award-winning children's novels and picture books have delighted readers for over 30 years. In this second tale featuring the pint-sized ballerina Talullah, our charming heroine is hoping for a solo performance in her school's production of The Frog Prince. When her lazy younger brother Beckett lands a big part, Talullah can't believe it. But before long, her feelings of jealousy turn to pride when she realizes Beckett needs her help to perform his best.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Nov 30, 2012
• ISBN: 9781470340100

Marilyn Singer

Marilyn Singer is the author of more than one hundred books for children, including the Tallulah books. She lives in Brooklyn, New York, and Washington, Connecticut. Visit her online at marilynsinger.net.

Reviews for Tallulah's Solo

[abigailadams26 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Tallulah, the young would-be ballerina introduced in Tallulah's Tutu, who learned an important lesson about having patience and working toward a goal, in that earlier story, returns in this second adventure, which sees her conscientiously applying herself in her ballet class. Her younger brother Beckett, who imitated her at home in the first book, is now also a member of the class, but his constant antics, and inability to pay attention for very long, are a source of embarrassment for Tallulah, who has dreams of being the star of the upcoming Winter Recital, and fears that he won't even get a part in the chorus. When the exact opposite proves to be true, and Beckett is assigned an important role, while she herself is relegated to the chorus, Tallulah is outraged at the injustice of it all, and refuses to speak to her brother. Will she come around in time to lend him a helping hand, when he needs it, or will her desire to be a star continue to cloud her judgment, and effect her behavior...?Tallulah's Solo being a "feel-good" tale, there's never much doubt as to the outcome, but the process whereby Tallulah is reconciled to the choreographer's casting choices for the recital is sensitively captured by author Marilyn Singer, and makes for an immensely appealing read. It helps that Alexandra Boiger's watercolor illustrations are just as darling here, as they were in the first installment of Tallulah's saga. The color palette she uses is just lovely, and I appreciated many of the little details - the adorable endpapers, featuring a plié and a relevé; the contrast between the heroine's daydreams, and the reality around her - and the expressive faces. If the ending, in which Tallulah is rewarded for finally coming around and helping her brother, feels a little too convenient, it was still quite satisfying. All in all, a sweet little book, and a worthy follow-up to the first - recommended to all young would-be ballerinas!

[melodyreads · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great ballet/sibling story that sounds just the way a big sister/little brother story would play out. Inattentive little brother gets a big part in a ballet, and sis is resentful.