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kathydavie's review
3.0
A standalone story that is inspired by Misty Copeland’s own rise as a ballerina.
In 2015, Firebird won the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award and the Ezra Jack Keats Book Award New Writer Honor. In 2014, it was voted an NPR Best Book, an Amazon Best Book for Ages 6–8 as well as Amazon Best Book of the Month [September], and was Essence Magazine’s Best Children’s Book. To be fair, I suspect most of these awards are because it’s written by a black ballerina with a young black heroine. No, I’m not trying to be nasty. I’m simply unimpressed with the supposed "story".
My Take
The inside end papers are a collage of textures from yellow to deepest orange. The inside graphics are similar to the cover with its modern blocks a collage of texture and color. I did love the collage effect of odd shapes of paper that make up the sky, the skyline, the water, the pavement and windows. The stage floor and the red curtain were amazing!
My favorite parts of this book are those graphics AND the fact that the young and aspiring ballerina is a young black girl. If you’re looking for a book with a black protagonist…this…is one.
Unfortunately, this is the best I can say of the book. The story itself reads more like a puff piece for Copeland with all her I, I, I. Why not give this story a sense of the personal in the young dancer? I’m rating it as a "3" simply because Myers' graphics are so amazing, but unfortunately pulled down by Copeland’s writing.
The Story
Misty thinks back over her own career as a ballerina, especially her role as the Firebird.
The Characters
Misty Copeland and a young, aspiring dancer.
The Cover and Title
The cover is a study in contrasts with its moderne blocks of pastel purple, blue, pink, and orange with a slash of firebird/ballerina a bright orange flame leaping across it. The author’s and illustrator’s names in deep purple are emblazoned across the top with a deeply flaming title flourishing in a curve across the bottom left.
The title is a role for which Misty Copeland became famous, the Firebird.
In 2015, Firebird won the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award and the Ezra Jack Keats Book Award New Writer Honor. In 2014, it was voted an NPR Best Book, an Amazon Best Book for Ages 6–8 as well as Amazon Best Book of the Month [September], and was Essence Magazine’s Best Children’s Book. To be fair, I suspect most of these awards are because it’s written by a black ballerina with a young black heroine. No, I’m not trying to be nasty. I’m simply unimpressed with the supposed "story".
My Take
The inside end papers are a collage of textures from yellow to deepest orange. The inside graphics are similar to the cover with its modern blocks a collage of texture and color. I did love the collage effect of odd shapes of paper that make up the sky, the skyline, the water, the pavement and windows. The stage floor and the red curtain were amazing!
My favorite parts of this book are those graphics AND the fact that the young and aspiring ballerina is a young black girl. If you’re looking for a book with a black protagonist…this…is one.
Unfortunately, this is the best I can say of the book. The story itself reads more like a puff piece for Copeland with all her I, I, I. Why not give this story a sense of the personal in the young dancer? I’m rating it as a "3" simply because Myers' graphics are so amazing, but unfortunately pulled down by Copeland’s writing.
The Story
Misty thinks back over her own career as a ballerina, especially her role as the Firebird.
The Characters
Misty Copeland and a young, aspiring dancer.
The Cover and Title
The cover is a study in contrasts with its moderne blocks of pastel purple, blue, pink, and orange with a slash of firebird/ballerina a bright orange flame leaping across it. The author’s and illustrator’s names in deep purple are emblazoned across the top with a deeply flaming title flourishing in a curve across the bottom left.
The title is a role for which Misty Copeland became famous, the Firebird.
tangiblereads's review
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
Firebird is a beautiful book with a great story about being able to achieve your dream in the arts. I am glad little black/brown girls have a role model to champion behind. Although I will say the stage performance image of Misty in the back of the book looks like a white woman. I’d rather a legit photo of this beautiful brown woman was used.
kitsuneheart's review
5.0
A beautifully illustrated book with a very real message. Misty Copeland was drawn in to be a ballerina, feeling destined for the dance, but grew up without seeing any images of girls like her in ballet books. She is now fixing that for all African American girls who aspire to ballet.
In this book, a young girl speaks to Misty, telling her of how far apart they are in skill, and how hopeless it seems, and Misty responds that hard work will bring them together, and let the next generations of girls know that it is possible.
A must-have for any public library, and the exact perfect choice for any aspiring dancer, regardless of race, but especially important BECAUSE of race.
In this book, a young girl speaks to Misty, telling her of how far apart they are in skill, and how hopeless it seems, and Misty responds that hard work will bring them together, and let the next generations of girls know that it is possible.
A must-have for any public library, and the exact perfect choice for any aspiring dancer, regardless of race, but especially important BECAUSE of race.
lattelibrarian's review
4.0
Since when do books about dancing make me so emotional?? I don't even dance! But, I gotta say that this book has an amazing message accompanied by amazing illustrations.
This story is about a young girl who's questioning her abilities and confidence--something I'm sure we can all relate to, at some point or another. Both the story and the illustrations encourage the reader to not only continue reading the book, but to keep moving forward.
Review cross-listed here!
This story is about a young girl who's questioning her abilities and confidence--something I'm sure we can all relate to, at some point or another. Both the story and the illustrations encourage the reader to not only continue reading the book, but to keep moving forward.
Review cross-listed here!
kristenremenar's review
4.0
A little girl sees ballet soloist Misty Copeland and thinks “the space between you and me/ is longer than forever”. Misty lets the girl know that with hard work and dedication “we’ll make the night sky our starry curtain/ the moon our silver spotlight/ as we spin across the planets/ pirouetting tightly as the curls on our heads”. Misty Copeland is the second African American soloist in the history of the American Ballet Theater, and her uplifting poem-story is perfectly enhanced by Christopher Myers’ gorgeous art.
Such a gorgeous book. Those who love ballet will gobble it up, and art teachers - use this as a mentor book.
Such a gorgeous book. Those who love ballet will gobble it up, and art teachers - use this as a mentor book.
kelleemoye's review
4.0
Review at: http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=6020
This text is powerful on two levels. First, Misty Copeland’s open letter to young girls who want to become a ballet dancer and may not see herself reflected in the dancers that they see on stage is so powerful. The power behind it is that Misty might as well be speaking to herself. Second, Christopher Myers’s illustrations bring the dance to life. As the two dancers dance, the illustrations seem to bring them to life.
This text is powerful on two levels. First, Misty Copeland’s open letter to young girls who want to become a ballet dancer and may not see herself reflected in the dancers that they see on stage is so powerful. The power behind it is that Misty might as well be speaking to herself. Second, Christopher Myers’s illustrations bring the dance to life. As the two dancers dance, the illustrations seem to bring them to life.
dude_watchin_with_the_brontes's review
5.0
Firebird encourages children who don't see themselves in the path they want to take, or who think they don't have what it takes, to keep going, work hard, and follow their dreams.
The artwork is breathtaking.
The artwork is breathtaking.