Bedtime Ballet

Bedtime Ballet, written by Kallie George and illustrated by Shanda McCloskey, is a dreamy nod to dance .The main character of this story, a little girl, begins her bedtime routine by saying that it is time to “Begin Bedtime Ballet” (p. 2). The young girl dons proper Bedtime Ballet gear: “two satin slippers with bunny-ear toes and stripy pajamas are dreamy dance clothes” (p. 4). As an orchestra (“Crickets CHIRRUP and owls HOO-HOOO low” (p. 7) readies itself, the dance begins. “Flowers raise petals, with poise, to the sky. Birds pas de deux, then nestle up high” (pp. 10-11). With her toy bunny in hand, the girl dances around the yard, frogs, flowers, and other creatures. After gallivanting around outside, she enters home where bed is waiting – after “a bow into bed” (21), she is ready for sleep.

McCloskey’s illustrations depict the vibrancy and fun of a bedtime dance and yet also house a sense of nighttime calm in their dark purples, blues, and reds. Readers can visually journey along as the sun sets and as the little ballerina pirouettes around outside before settling in.

Kallie George’s Bedtime Ballet is a sweet and relaxing bedtime story that will appeal to all young readers, regardless of whether or not they, themselves, are dancers. Young ballet dancers will appreciate the gentle inclusion of ballet terms, and, for those who are unfamiliar with them, there is a helpful glossary in the back to learn these new words.