Review by Booklist Review
Cinderella meets American Idol in this charming little tale. Small Florence is intimidated by her older sisters, never more so than when she tries singing in front of them. She has dreams of being a pop star, but it is her sisters who take singing lessons. When an Idol-style TV show comes to town, her sisters are ready to audition immediately. Florence wants to try out, too, but when the duo commands her to sing us a song right now! she can barely emit a squeal. On the day of the tryouts, the big sisters get their chance but blow it big-time. The judges and the audience render them small and shy. Meanwhile, a voice belts out from the background . . . Alexander, a talented artist, gets this spread exactly right two black pages and a spray of golden spotlight with a tiny pig singing a swirl of notes. All of the pictures, in fact, are sturdily illustrated and executed with verve and humor, drawing readers right into a story that will feel happily familiar.--Cooper, Ilene Copyright 2010 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
This clever Cinderella retelling writes the prince out of the action and substitutes the heartfelt wish of many a young TV watcher: pop star celebrity. Florence's older sisters are sure they're the ones with talent, and they prepare for their appearance on television with all the affectation and scorn of the original stepsisters ("Those boots are so last year!" they shout as they pick out their stage costumes). But Florence practices in secret, and when the big day comes, the sisters freeze and Florence's performance wows the judges and clinches her pop career. (Subsequently, she makes a name for herself with "songs about love, life, and vegetarianism.") Working mostly in midnight blues and spotlight yellows-and piggy pink, of course-Alexander's (Lucy and the Bully) spots, multiple panels, and three-quarter page spreads add flash to the pages. Florence's big voice is represented by enormous swirls of blue, and Alexander has a good time imagining the things animals on a pop star show might sing about ("Bright ears burning like fire..." croons a bunny into a microphone). Many laughs will find Florence lots of fans. Ages 4-8. (Mar.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2-Florence dreams of performing for adoring fans. However, when she tries to sing in front of her big sisters, all that comes out is a pathetic, tiny squeak. Her siblings laugh and tease her, but Florence never stops believing in herself. When a talent show not unlike American Idol comes to town, Florence wants to sing with her sisters. Of course they say no. On the night of the big show, they get stage fright, and the piglet has her chance to steal the show and share her hidden talent with all. Alexander's illustrations are full of pinks and yellows that will appeal to young girls. She uses humor and creative plays on words as the other singers perform versions of well-known songs at the talent show. Fans of Ian Falconer's "Olivia" series (S & S) will enjoy Florence's determination and belief in herself.-Kris Hickey, Columbus Metropolitan Library, OH (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Florence dreams of becoming a piggy pop star in this story about stick-to-itiveness and believing in yourself. Unlike her confident singing sisters, Florence is shy; she sings in secret. But when stage fright sidelines her siblings during a competition, Florence musters her courage, takes the stage, and wins. Saturated with blues and yellows, the illustrations enhance the text with fillips of humor. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Alexander's book is a pleasure to gaze upon. The artwork is sumptuous, like great dollops of ice cream, the colors bold in some instances, commingling with an eye for harmony in others, the line work fine and wiry. The story follows Florence, a young pig with big dreams of singing stardom but hog-tied by her shrinking-violet nature. She can barely manage a squeak when her mildly bullying older sisters, also singers, challenge her to show her stuff. When a TV singing contest comes to town, the older sisters try to grab the limelight but succumb to stage fright, while Florence belts out a winning tune from the audience. Despite the lovely French curves of music issuing from Florence's snout, her sudden instinct to public warbling lacks any rationale. The story doesn't turn on anything; without some imaginative impulse, the sisters' balking and Florence's newfound voice are airy contrivances. Still, the illustrations are of such quality as to nearly float the project by fashioning a narrative of their own. Florence caught in the spotlight is alone worth 1,000 carefully crafted words. (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
