Lettice is fed up with being a rabbit -- there must be more to life! She sees a poster of a ballerina and is so inspired that she decides to take up ballet lessons herself...Learning to dance means Lettice will have to leave her brothers and sisters hopping happily on the hill and venture into the rather frightening town. But Lettice gathers together all of her courage, she begins lessons and even finds an outfit which is just the right size. Lettice loves to dance and she even gets the main part in the show. But there are times when Lettice would rather feel the wind blowing through her ears than have them tied tightly back in her hairband. Maybe being a rabbit is the best thing in the world after all! AGE 3-6

About the Author

Mandy Stanley was born in Lowestoft, Suffolk. She attended Great Yarmouth College of Art and Design and then went on to do a fashion degree in Nottingham. Mandy has won awards for her soft toy designs and has also worked as a children's clothes designer. She now works full time as a children's book illustrator.

Reviews

PreS-K-Lettice is a bunny who wishes to be a ballerina just like the human child she sees on a poster. Wearing doll-sized dance attire, she hops off to join a class where her dazzlingly high jumps soon win her the leading role in the coming recital. When her friends and family begin to ignore Lettice, thinking she no longer cares about their simple pleasures, she eagerly renounces life on the stage and rejoins the rabbits for a wholesome romp in the meadow. It is all very simple and sweet, and preschoolers may well enjoy the story, no matter how superficial. The clear and clean illustrations are prettily appealing. Unfortunately, the soft pinks, grays, and greens against a pale yellow background are so muted they almost seem faded, although the silver sparkles on the dust jacket should catch the eye of youngsters.-Dorian Chong, San Jose State University, CA Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

"This engaging debut picture book shows a considerable flair for observation and chacterisation. There is a great feeling of vibrancy and joy in this little story. Stanley's rather '50s style gives a delicious flavour to this very 'girly' book with its pink gingham endpapers and spot glitter cover." Books for Keeps "A delight for girls aged three to six." Evening Express

Pink-eared, pint-size Lettice Rabbit yearns to be a dancer, so she hops to town "all by herself," takes ballet classes with the humans and earns the starring role in the class recital. (Lettice's teacher is "amazed" at her "extraordinary" jumps.) Aspiring ballerinas will identify with the resolute bunny as she finds just the right practice clothes (they're from a doll) and learns to leap and twirl. At the recital, Lettice's family members clap "their soft little paws all through the show," but Lettice is hurt when they (improbably) go home without her. Feeling lonely when they tease her the next day, she throws off her dancing togs and decides that "being a rabbit [is], by far, the very best thing in the world." Since Stanley (Bloomer: The Dog You Can Play With) devotes most of the book to Lettice's joy in dancing and her determination to follow her dream, it's disappointing if not downright puzzling when she abruptly abandons her hard-won accomplishments. The book's pink-gingham spine and endpapers recall the jackets of Dare Wright's Edith books, while the loosely drawn pastel illustrations nod at the quiet sweetness of Angelina Ballerina, but Lettice has a plucky personality of her own. The understated picture of Lettice tying her shoe ribbons as she sits atop her dressing table, almost dwarfed by a greeting card, shows the heroine as a charmer and one who deserves a better plot. Ages 3-8. (Jan.) Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.