Published: 2022
Author: Laurel van der Linde
Illustrator: Sawyer Cloud
Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction, Biography, History, Collective Biography
Audience (Grade Levels): Elementary School; Grades K-5
Number of Stars: 5-star
Goodreads Link: Black Swans
Triggers: Systemic racism, segregation, historical barriers and discrimination in the arts
Review By: Molly Clark
Publisher’s Summary:
The stories of six daring, groundbreaking Black ballet dancers leap off the pages of this beautifully illustrated nonfiction picture book. Meet Essie Marie Dorsey, who in 1926 opened one of the first ballet schools for Black students; Arthur Mitchell, the first Black dancer with the New York City Ballet; Christian Holder, a principal dancer with the Joffrey Ballet; choreographer Dwight Rhoden; and present-day ballerinas Misty Copeland and Michaela DePrince. With a leap of faith and a love of dance, these Black Swans overcame obstacles and opened doors for all the children who dream of dancing.
Review:
This is a beautiful picture book that highlights six lesser known ballet dancers of color. Each dancer has a four page spread that briefly describes their background, dreams, the obstacles they faced, and how they worked to overcome those obstacles. The illustrations are gorgeous with full page depictions of dancers in action. The book is a delight just to browse through. There is just enough information to pique a reader’s interest which makes the book accessible to the youngest readers. The font is large and well spaced for new readers. Books about ballet and ballet dancers are somewhat rare so I predict this will be a popular addition to any elementary library collection.
Classroom & Curricular Connections:
- Social Studies & History (Black History & Segregation): This collective biography is an excellent tool for elementary classrooms to study historical barriers in the American performing arts. By highlighting dancers ranging from Essie Marie Dorsey in 1926 to present-day figures like Misty Copeland, educators can illustrate a timeline of civil rights, segregation, and the dismantling of institutional racism in classical dance.
- Language Arts & Literacy (Introductory Biography Structure): The text features a highly accessible structural layout with large, well-spaced font tailored for early readers. Teachers can utilize the predictable four-page spread structure (detailing background, dreams, obstacles, and triumphs) to teach primary students how to identify key biographical elements and summarize informational texts.
Diversity & Representation:
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Black Swans strongly champions diversity, equity, and inclusion by intentionally centering trailblazing Black dancers in a performing arts field that has historically excluded them. By celebrating diverse skin tones, hair textures, and physical expressions of triumph, the book provides vital representation and mirrors of success for children of color, proving that classical spaces belong to everyone.
Readalikes:
- Firebird by Misty Copeland
- Bunheads by Misty Copeland
- Dancing Wings by Denise Lewis Patrick
