Firebird, written by Misty Copeland, illustrated by Christopher Myers. Myers' vibrant illustrations leap off the page in this inspirational ballet book written by the legendary American Ballet Theatre soloist (the second African American soloist in ABT's history and the first in more than two decades). The opening shows a young girl feeling anxious because she wishes she could excel as a dancer, and Myers' expressive work conveys her feelings of fear and hope. Copeland appears with a reassuring hand on the girl's shoulder and to tell her "...don't you know/you're just where I started." The author then says that with hard work and dedication, the girl (a stand-in for the reader) can achieve her dreams and "learn how to fly" and soar like a swan, a firebird "for sure." A final note from the author offers a photo of Copeland in her amazing Firebird outfit, and Myers' brilliant drawing of her in this role lights up the facing page. A striking work.
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