Ready to Fly: How Sylvia Townsend Became the Bookmobile Ballerina - Hardcover

by Lea Lyon (Author), Alexandria Lafaye (Author), Jessica Gibson (Illustrator)

Lyrical, inspiring, and affecting text paired with bright, appealing illustrations make Ready to Fly perfect for aspiring ballerinas everywhere who are ready to leap and to spread their wings!

Ready to Fly is the true story of Sylvia Townsend, an African American girl who falls in love with ballet after seeing Swan Lake on TV. This nonfiction picture book is an excellent choice to share at home or in the classroom.

Although there aren't many ballet schools that will accept a girl like Sylvia in the 1950s, her local bookmobile provides another possibility. A librarian helps Sylvia find a book about ballet and the determined seven-year-old, with the help of her new books, starts teaching herself the basics of classical ballet.

Soon Sylvia learns how to fly--how to dance--and how to dare to dream.

Includes a foreword from Sylvia Townsend, a brief history of the bookmobile, an author's note, and a further reading list.

This beautifully illustrated story shows every child what's possible with a book and a dream.

• Based on a True Story: Meet Sylvia Townsend, the real-life "bookmobile ballerina" who taught herself to dance in the 1950s when ballet schools turned her away.
• Overcoming Adversity: A gentle introduction to the history of segregation and a powerful example of how determination can triumph over injustice.
• The Power of Books and Libraries: Celebrate the magic of the bookmobile and the librarian who helped a seven-year-old girl find the books that gave her wings.
• Perfect for Dancers: Aspiring ballerinas will love learning the basics of classical ballet alongside Sylvia, from pliés to pirouettes.
• Great for Classrooms: Includes a foreword from Sylvia, a history of the bookmobile, an author's note, and further reading to expand the lesson.

Front Jacket

INSPIRED BY THE AMAZING LIFE OF BALLERINA SYLVIA TOWNSEND

Sylvia longs to be a ballerina like the ones she sees on television.

She wants to leap

and twirl

and do pliés

till she can dance in real ballets.

But as an African American girl in 1950s America, Sylvia has to make her dreams come true against all odds.

This beautiful first-ever biography of Sylvia Townsend tells the story of how one determined girl got her wings by discovering the magic of the bookmobile, keeping the beat in her feet, and staying on her tippy-toes . . . always ready for liftoff.

Back Jacket

INSPIRED BY THE AMAZING LIFE OF BALLERINA SYLVIA TOWNSEND

Sylvia longs to be a ballerina like the ones she sees on television.

She wants to leap

and twirl

and do pliés

till she can dance in real ballets.

But as an African American girl in 1950s America, Sylvia has to make her dreams come true against all odds.

This beautiful first-ever biography of Sylvia Townsend tells the story of how one determined girl got her wings by discovering the magic of the bookmobile, keeping the beat in her feet, and staying on her tippy-toes . . . always ready for liftoff.