DIANA DANCES

A young girl finds her inner beauty in music and dance.

Diana is white, short, and chunky, and she wears glasses. She is not a good student at school, unable to concentrate, especially in math. It is in a psychologist’s office that her life turns around. When the doctor steps out to talk to her mother, he leaves the radio on, and Diana is literally swept off her feet as “her body moved gracefully, following the rhythm of the music.” The next logical and prescribed step is ballet school, and now Diana smiles, does well in math, and imagines herself performing on stage—“maybe.” Lozano’s little tale, originally published in Spain, is a lesson for children in both self-worth and not allowing body types to restrict development. And while, realistically, a child looking like Diana would most likely have a difficult time succeeding in ballet, the author graciously allows for participation at a student’s level and the opportunity to dream. His loose, fine-lined figures with cartoon-style faces are set against a white background. They depict one schoolmate in a wheelchair and several diverse children. The ballerinas she dreams of dancing with are tall and lithe; one is a person of color.

Dreams may or may not come true, but the opportunity to have them is wonderful.