“Brontorina,” by James Howe, illustrated by Randy Cecil
Candlewick Press, Somerville, Mass., 2010, 32 pages, Grades K-2.
Sometimes people have dreams of achieving difficult tasks. Often times, they are discouraged from seeking a dream because it seems so unlikely. But dreams are the stuff on which lives are built. To take away dreams is to take away hope. While it is true that not all dreams are possible, children should be encouraged to explore the possibilities open to them. Whether that is playing sports, music or joining scouts, children can develop their imaginations through dreams. James Howe has written a cute story about such a dream. Brontorina is a brontosaurus longing to perform ballet. Is such a thing possible? James Howe shows us that dreams can come true with the help of others.
It is ballet class at Madame Lucille’s Dance Academy for Girls and Boys. A brontosaurus, named Brontorina, stands outside the class and asks Madame if she can join the class. Madame Lucille points out to Brontorina that dinosaurs do not take ballet. Brontorina acknowledges this to be true but tells the teacher that she is a ballerina in her heart. Madame Lucille doesn’t know what to do. A dancing dinosaur? The children beg her to allow Brontorina to take lessons. At last the ballet instructor allows Brontorina to join the class as long as she doesn’t squish the other dancers. Brontorina is thrilled that her dream is at last being realized. But trouble soon arrives when Madame Lucille shouts out “Releve.” All the children go on toe and put their hands delicately over their heads. Brontorina does the same thing except that she is so big that her head smashes through the roof of the classroom. The spinning “Arabesque” goes well, but the leaping runs of “Jete” end in disaster. Brontorina repeatedly bashes her head in the ceiling as she tries to leap delicately across the floor. Still, the children are enchanted that the brontosaurus dances with such determination and precision. Even Madame Lucille tells Brontorina that she dances with great grace. Blushing at the compliment, she tells the teacher that she is a “ballerina in my heart.” But problems again develop as Brontorina learns more and more difficult ballet steps. Clothing also presents concerns. How big a pair of ballet slippers are needed for a brontosaurus? Madame Lucille continues to find solutions to these problems but at last runs into an insurmountable difficulty.
What male dancer will ever be strong enough to lift up Brontorina? Sadly, she tells Brontorina that she simply cannot be a ballet dancer. A tear falls down the brontosaurus’s face as she turns to leave. Then Madame Lucille realizes what the real issue is and calls Brontorina back to the class. She tells the brontosaurus there is a solution to these difficulties.
What does Madame Lucille tell Brontorina? How does the teacher lift up the dinosaur’s dreams and spirit? Have you ever wanted something that was difficult to achieve? What did you do? Did anyone ever help you? How does Brontorina finally live her dream? To find out, go to the library and check out this delightful book, “Brontorina” by James Howe.
James Howe is a famous author in the field of children’s literature. His books on the funny vampire rabbit, Bunnicula, have been eagerly read by children for over thirty years. This gentle tale of Brontorina shows the power of having dreams and working to achieve them. The illustrations are charming and it is great fun. It would make an excellent read aloud to share with a younger family member. Who knows, maybe Brontorina may launch some dreams for yourself. Enjoy!
