This is an affectionate but very basic beginning book for babies, with soft illustrations and situations little ones can relate to. My 18 month old identified with the events depicted in this book; it would also be appropriate for younger children as well. Some parents and children I know are crazy about this and the author's similar books, "I See," and "I Touch." You might want to give them a try as well; they are very similar in content and style.

YOUNG MOZART by Rachel Isadora is an acceptable way to introduce young children to the child prodigy Mozart. The very basic facts of his life story are outlined clearly and precisely. There are a few interesting anecdotes to liven the text: his father's nightly duets with the very young Mozart, Mozart's introduction to Marie Antoinette, his own children's pet starling, and his friends gathering around his death bed to sing the unfinished requiem. But Mozart's life seems quite conventional and tranquil, which is far from the story we know to be true. The pictures in the book, however, are charming and beautiful. It was the illustrations, in fact, that turned my own seven year old son from an audience who insisted he was not going to pay any attention if we didn't read a book about animals into a little boy who wanted to know why Mozart could write music before he could write sentences, why he had to wear a wig, and why he died when he was so young. The basic facts are there, and combined with the pictures make the book more memorable for children.

So I'm in a bookstore, picking up yet another copy of 'Wheels on the Bus' for my toddler, when my six year old asks for a book too. I agree and she finds this one. I'm thinking that this is just a little girl ballerina book, so I buy it without, unfortunately, READING it first.

I sat down with my daughter to read it when we got home, and the farther I read, the more horrified I became. An excerpt:

"She is thin
And she is tall
And she is pretty
They've got it all

I know I'm short
I know that I'm round
But I want to dance
So I stand my ground"

*If that isn't the prelude to encouraging an eating disorder, I'll eat my hat.

Here's more:

"If you fight backstage
Go far away
The audience hears
Whatever you say"

or

"It doesn't matter
If you're the best in the room
If you don't fit
Into the costume"

*This book is for five and up?

About 25 years ago, I was in a regional ballet company. As a result, I have many concerns about very young children doing ballet on this level. This book isn't about dolly dinkle dance recitals or dreaming of tutus which is what I thought would be in this book.

No, I don't think that the woman who wrote this book meant any harm, but then again, she hasn't a clue about parental concerns and dance or she wouldn't have written the book this way. I'm sure those who 'love dance' will love this book. I used to love dance until I saw what it did to the bodies and minds of young people. There is a serious difference between enjoying dance class and this stuff. And considering that this book is for very young girls, I think that it's inappropriate fare. I think it's a bad set up for the future if they take it to heart. This isn't something that I want to normalize for my kid. However, it's a real taste of the dance world. And it reminded me as to why I'm so careful as to what sort of activities that I allow my child to get into. JMO, but if your kid is six and it isn't merely fun, they shouldn't be doing it. And no tiny tot should be in pointe shoes...

The irony is, by the time the child would be old enough to handle this stuff on a real level, they wouldn't be reading children's books.

The book is being returned. I would have given it NO stars, but that wasn't an option.