Baseball Ballerina (Step into Reading, Step 3)

I read the kids I care for (3&5) the baseball one first. They loved it! When I told them there was another one but I couldn’t find where I put it, they were so disappointed that I had to get another copy. Fun book- teaches lessons without preaching: 1. Ugliness hurts. 2. Be proud of what you do. 3. Practice makes perfect. 3. Be brave enough to do what you do no matter what the ugly ones say. 4. Girls can do anything - boys need to learn that, too.

I know a ballet teacher. In her school she has a collection of kids' ballet books. I gave her "Baseball Ballerina" for her collection, but after reading it, she rejected it for these two reasons- 1: She didn't like Madame Maxine, the mean teacher."She might give little kids the impression that all ballet teachers are strict and mean, this would scare off children from taking ballet, and 2: It goes against what I believe. I'm totally against children being for forced to take ballet against their will!" Also, it seemed to me that the mother is forcing her little girl to do something she probably wouldn't be forcing a little boy to do.When Maxine announces there will be a recital, the girl doesn't want to be in it, but dances in it anyway. Apparently she fears if she refuses to dance in it she'll be punished. But if she had just told Maxine she didn't want to dance in the recital, Maxine probably would have said, "Okay." because the last thing in the world a dance teacher wants to do is force a kid to go on stage against her will!

This book is so cute and perfect for my 6 year old. It’s just the right length for her to not feel overwhelmed but also long enough for a challenge. We love all the step into reading books. Would recommend!

My granddaughter loves this book and has read it over and over. She takes ballet classes and like to play baseball.

I bought this book for my 5-year-old niece because this is her first season of T-ball. She had also taken dance lessons the year before, so I thought it would cute to read about 2 activities that she was familiar with. I only gave this book 3 stars because I didn't like the way the 2 girls were forced to keep playing baseball a secret from their other friends. There are at least 4 girls on her T-ball team, so obviously lots of young girls play baseball. I don't see any reason why girls can't do both things, and I don't like the message that sends.

This was one of my favorite books as a child. I'm so glad I was able to purchase it and share it with my children!

My daughter loved this book!

We love these readers and I've written many reviews on them. This one however was a little below par owing to the language - I'm all for casual words/prhases and colloquialisms but this went a little too far. The sentiment of the story was clever but could be improved.