Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
A polar bear and a human dancer form an instant bond in a lushly rendered wordless picture book from Velasquez (Outspoken). When a young Black ballerina leaves a flowing red scarf behind following a moment of interspecies connection during a photo shoot at the Central Park Zoo's polar bear tank, the bear climbs out of its enclosure, ties on the garment, and heads out through the park. It soon arrives at Lincoln Center, where the dancer is performing with the Harlem Children's Ballet. A "no polar bears allowed" sign above the ticket window bars the animal's entry, but a loud growl brings the dancer running to retrieve the scarf and escort the ursine figure into the performance hall, where it sits clapping in the audience, viewing--displayed across the stage--the image of the dancer in front of its tank. Final scenes see the bear making its way home in a reverie and dreaming of its own stage debut. Thickly stroked art invokes a strong sense of place, employing instantly recognizable landmarks alongside comically melodramatic bystanders. Background characters reflect the city's diversity. Includes polar bear "fun facts" and an author's note. Publishing simultaneously in Spanish. Ages 4--8. (Oct.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 1--These wordless books from award winning Afro-Latino author-illustrator Velasquez focus on an unlikely friendship between a young ballerina and a polar bear. Chloe, who is Black, and fellow Harlem Children's ballet ballerinas have a photoshoot at the Central Park Zoo. Chloe has a brief interaction with the polar bear and accidentally leaves her long red scarf behind. The book turns dreamlike when the polar bear escapes, finds the scarf, and decides to make his way through Manhattan up to Lincoln Square. He is turned away at the box office with a "No polar bears allowed!" sign. Chloe hears his growl of dismay and runs out to get her red scarf from the polar bear and then lets him in to see the ballet. On its walk home, the bear wears the red scarf and recreates Chloe's dance. Velasquez skillfully depicts expressive characters, recognizable scenery, and a cohesive dreamy plot with his iconic oil paintings. Limited text adds to key moments. The endpapers give readers further textual context for the story. Fun polar bear facts and scientific information are written in the style of zoo signs. A magazine article includes Chloe's name, a brief biography, the ballet company's name, and a recital poster. Both language editions are accessible for readers interested in image-centered picture books. VERDICT This extraordinary wordless book features expressive illustrations that depict a unique friendship. A great addition to English- and Spanish-language picture book collections.--Nicole Gaudier-Alemany
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
A fantastical testament to the joy of seeing yourself in the art you seek out. This epic urban sojourn begins at New York City's Central Park Zoo. Three Black dancers, all tutu-wearing members of the Harlem Children's Ballet, smile broadly before an aquarium enclosure and pose for promotional photographs as a bemused polar bear looks on with interest. Night falls, and the bear heaves itself from its tank and happens upon the signature accessory of our prima ballerina, a cherry red scarf blown from her neck or, just as likely, left behind as a clue. Eager to return the lost treasure, the Arctic creature heads uptown--drawing the ire of cabbies for jaywalking--until it reaches Lincoln Center. Much to the animal's chagrin, a sign forbidding polar bear patronage has been plastered to the box office plexiglass, but when the bear's bereft yowl reverberates into the rehearsal space, its resonance draws Red Scarf Girl from her warm-up and into the crowd. Once she's led the creature to a velvet-swathed seat facing center stage, he sees another familiar face prominently featured in a backdrop alongside the performers--his own. This title is almost entirely wordless, but the captivating balance that Velasquez strikes between realism and ultra-expressive emotion makes a magical meal of the story. The endpapers offers zoological information about the titular creature and a biography of the fictional ballerina at the center of this tale.(This review has been updated for factual accuracy.)Dreamy.(Picture book. 5-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
