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Bernadette Peters and Liz Murphy the terrific team behind the New York Times best-selling Broadway Barks are back with a story about Stella, a pup who would rather be a graceful pig ballerina than what she really is: a dog no one seems to like.
Bernadette Peters' lovable Stella learns the lessons of self-acceptance, following her heart's desires and, most important, that it's okay just to be herself. The book includes a CD with an original song written and performed by Bernadette Peters.
Stella is a mutt who can’t seem to make any dog friends. Deciding that she’ll have an easier time with pigs, she assumes a new identity—Princess Pig—and enrolls in Madame Cochon’s If Pigs Could Fly School of Dance, “because... a dance class is the perfect place to find friends. And, as everyone knows, pigs are the best dancers.” As expected, there are bumps along the way (“She jetés at lunch. She pliés at dinner. But practice doesn’t make perfect”), and eventually, Stella wins over everyone with her grit (“We always knew you weren’t a pig,” says Madame). Murphy, who collaborated with Peters on Broadway Barks, contributes illustrations that exude an authentic girly sweetness. Turning the pages to Peters’s spirited narration, which is provided in an accompanying CD, makes for a more rewarding reading experience. The story and disc end with a sneakily affecting self-esteem anthem, which, like the familiar tale itself, is buoyed by the author’s lovely vocals. (Peters donates all royalties to programs that promote the adoption of shelter animals.) Ages 4-up. (May)
| Price | Condition | Delivery | Seller | Action |
| $99.99 | Digital |
| WonderClub |
Michele Stoops
reviewed Stella Is a Star! on November 02, 2010
Stella Is a Star!
Sigh. This is a sweet, if not exactly original, idea and it's kinda cute but it could be so much more. Plus, it's all just a bit complicated--we have a dog, who pretends she is a pig, and not just any pig but a princess pig. She does this so people will like her (because she doesn't feel very special just the way she is) and also because pigs are the best dancers and she wants to go to ballet class. You can probably already guess where this is going, and what the moral of the story will be. Along the way, we have a star ballerina get injured right before opening night (how original!) and Stella has to step in, but oh my! will she be able to do the star's dance AND keep her crown on? Or will everyone figure out who she REALLY is?
There's a song at the end, all about being true to yourself, and while I admit I didn't bother popping the accompanying CD into my player, the written-out lyrics seemed a bit forced and saccharine to me (and I can totally dig musicals--and sweet stuff!).
Sigh. I like Bernadette Peters, I really do! In movies, on Broadway... And I think her heart was in the right place with this book. And I love that she was inspired to write this because of her rescued pit bull pup (yay, animal rescue!) But, I'm afraid I have to add her to the list of celebrities who don't have any business getting so-so books for children published with mega-marketing bucks behind them just because they are celebs; especially when there are so many better new writers who aren't getting published because they have no name recognition.
ETA her Broadway Barks charity does deserve recognition so here's the website:
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