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Firebird

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By DeeDee
 Cover image for Firebird : ballerina Misty Copeland shows a young girl how to dance like the firebird
Firebird
by Misty Copeland
Illustrated by Christopher Myers
G.P. Putnam Sons, 2014. Picture Book

Misty Copeland is one of the leading ballerinas at the American Ballet Theater.  She writes this book to encourage young ballerinas to keep working even though they feel that "the space between you and me is longer than forever." She assures her young readers that with practice and time, some day they will be the ones the young dancers look up to. The writing is brief and lyrical as Copeland uses imagery from nature and dance to describe the glory of motion.  Myer's illustrations are a stunning combination of painting and collage. His use of line and color to show both the gracefulness and strength of ballet won him the Coretta Scott King award for illustration last year.  This is a great book to share with any aspiring dancer.

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