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Tutus Aren't My Style
Emma loves lizards and pirates and cowboy boots, so when a package arrives from Uncle Leo, she doesn't know what to do with the ballerina costume inside. "I don't know how to be a ballerina," Emma says. She flops when she should float, she trips when she should twirl, and her music sounds like burping! But when she decides to make her own rules about how to be a ballerina, Emma's style prevails in her triumphant dance debut.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published February 1, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
October 27, 2016
An adorable story about being yourself. My niece reads this every time she comes to my house.
October 25, 2017
This realistic fiction, though cartoon-y in regards to its artwork, encourages the concept of allowing yourself to be free. This relates to a free mindset, free choice of self, and the freedom of differing ideals. A common occurrence in books like these is the stereotypical gender roles that children are expectd to follow along with. Any deviation from these guidelines or moments where the child allows themself to come as they are met with negative outcomes, rather than praise for being yourself. This book delievers such a problem and solves it with a genuine, relatable plotline. Much can be taken from the main character of the story and opens the reader to think on how the creative differences and characterisitics we carry are special to us; no one can shape it for us.
March 20, 2023
This story is about a girl who is a typical "tomboy" and likes to get dirty, play games, and have adventures. Her uncle sends her a package in the mail, which turns out to be a ballerina outfit and she spends the whole afternoon trying to figure out how to be a ballerina and failing miserably. In the end, her uncle just sent her the wrong package. The message was to embrace your own individuality and self-love. The story also countered gender stereotypes. In my classroom, I would use this story to discuss gender stereotypes and to discuss self-love and encourage all of my students to be free to be themselves.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 5, 2019
Emma gets a delivery from her Uncle and is shocked to see a ballerina outfit. She thought he knew her better than that (he does -- "they" sent the wrong outfit), but she tries out her tutu moves anyway. Ultimately, she's just not the tutu type. And that's ok. Great read aloud for Pre-3 who need more stories about all kinds of boys and girls to counteract gender polarizing culture.
March 16, 2019
While I understand this can be a productive conversation-starter about gender stereotypes and identities, I'm not seeing how this is an LGBT+ book. Could it be incorporated with other titles? Yes! But the characters themselves don't seem to have those identities. Otherwise, a cute story.
August 30, 2017
A cute story I read because it is listed under diverse book. I will read it to my class, because it celebrates us all and breaks stereo types for girls.
September 12, 2017
Funny and sweet book. The character's lack of elegance and grace leads to funny results. Don't try her moves at home near a fishbowl!
November 25, 2017
Awesome read. Cute illustrations and story. Great message for any age--just be yourself! Loved this book.
November 8, 2018
This book was about Emma who is normally a tomboy. She received a package from her Uncle Leo which was a ballerina outfit. Emma wasn’t too fond of the idea of being a ballerina but tried her best because she knew that that’s what girls do. She had trouble because it just wasn’t her. In the end, Emma received the wrong package. Uncle Leo had actually sent her a jungle explorer outfit which is more of her style. I think this books message was on not trying to change yourself. Be who you truly are and be true to yourself. And it is a great message to relay onto students. I think it also kind of shows acceptance from her family. Uncle Leo knew that Emma would want to be a jungle explorer, which can be seen as a boy role, rather than a ballerina which is seen as a girl role. So, that is why he rightfully chose the jungle explorer costume for her. I think this book shows how Emma stayed true to herself and still be herself despite the fact that tutus weren’t her style and that she didn’t necessarily know how to be a ballerina. Based on the quality checklist, this book includes a problem and resolution. Emma did not know how to be a ballerina and struggled with it. But, she had her family to help her and support her.
Type of Text: Narrative Text
Genre: Realistic Fiction/Traditional Literature
Type of Text: Narrative Text
Genre: Realistic Fiction/Traditional Literature
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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December 14, 2016This book is all about identity, as it follows a little girl that does not quite fit in to the role society or the people around her wants her to fit into. It is a book about this girl finding herself, and finding her identity. This book has a very obvious theme of identity, and could be used in a classroom of higher reading level (such as a middle school class) to SHOW them identity formation and what identity is.
Sometimes, a teacher should revert back to easier texts to explain a theme that will be seen in future, more sophisticated novels. This book is a good mentor text, to show how to create identity in novel, and build a basis of understanding on the issue. After using this text, students will have a far easier time identifying parts of other novels where identity i being addressed, formed or changed.
Sometimes, a teacher should revert back to easier texts to explain a theme that will be seen in future, more sophisticated novels. This book is a good mentor text, to show how to create identity in novel, and build a basis of understanding on the issue. After using this text, students will have a far easier time identifying parts of other novels where identity i being addressed, formed or changed.
February 25, 2010
This is a great book for the little girls who aren't princess ballerinas - or anyone else. Tomboy Emma gets a package in the mail from her favorite uncle and there's a ballerina outfit inside. Because she loves her uncle, Emma tries and tries to be a ballerina, but it just doesn't fit her personality. When Uncle Leo arrives, Emma shows off her new interpretation of ballet. This is a funny and endearing story that celebrates individuality.
February 28, 2011
This book is funny as Emma tried to be like a ballerina, after Uncle Leo sent her a ballerina outfit. The theme of this book is to "be yourself" like Emma. She danced at the end until she knocked over the fishbowl. I like this book because girls do not always need to be ballerina they can also enjoy other hobbies.
March 6, 2010
I like the message about finding your own way of enjoying things. Though I suspect the author has never been in a ballet class. Once you've wobbled home from an hour's worth of feeling muscles you've never even known you HAD,you never think of ballet the same way again!
February 21, 2011
What was Uncle Leo thinking sending Emma a ballerina outfit? She loves pirates and exploring, not pink tutus and dance shoes. But don't worry, everyone has advice for Emma on how to be a ballerina.
Suffice it to say that Emma is about as graceful as me.
Suffice it to say that Emma is about as graceful as me.
June 21, 2011
I'm glad to read that Clara liked this, because it does pair so well with Dahlia. Long live creative gals who may or may not be pink and frilly!
February 19, 2015
I appreciated the intent of this story, but since tutus definitely ARE my daughter's style, she couldn't quite identify with, "Get rid of everything glitzy and sparkly, and just be you!" See, she IS glitzy and sparkly. Still, it was a fun story and the pictures were very entertaining.
August 29, 2016
Rolking romp when a tomboy receives a ballerina outfit as a present. A bit of a tongue and cheek look at society's expectations and delightful individuality. Emma's magnetic personality and the charming illustrations make it a book worth reading again and again.
April 3, 2010
Tomboy Emma receives a ballerina costume for her birthday - what is a red cowboy boot wearing frog chaser to do?
April 17, 2010
tomboy, ballerina, be yourself
September 14, 2010
Very cute and funny. Emma is great, and I laughed when Uncle Leo explained the mix-up. (And again when Emma danced into the fishbowl.)
September 20, 2010
My little ballerina loves this book!! Have to keep renewing it.
April 19, 2011
My daughter laughed so hard while I was reading this that she completely ignored the cocoa-whatever cereal in front of her.
June 21, 2011
Not sure why this is a rainbow book, as tomboys are not necessarily lesbians, but the story is cute and fun. Illustrations are comical.
February 17, 2012
I enjoyed reading this story to my girls. I liked how the girl in it tried to make the best of the gift she got even though she really didn't like it. Sweet story.
June 18, 2013
Very cute story about a little girl who dances to the beat of her own drum, even at the risk of disappointing someone she loves dearly. Funny too :)
October 14, 2013
This is a great book for young girls. It shows them that even if they are a "tomboy" its okay.
March 13, 2015
Read in digital format.
February 21, 2016
For every girl who isn't a princess!
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews