Presented by the American Ballet Theatre. "When I grow up, I'm going to fly, just like my daddy." Ben's classmates try to guess Daddy's occupation as Ben provides more information: "he's super strong," he's "as fast as a hummingbird... / ...but slower than a sloth." Is he a pilot? A football player? A furniture mover? After an impromptu dance performance, his friends know: "Your daddy is a ballet dancer!" The all-dialogue text stays in the classroom, while Gigot's versatile illustrations move seamlessly from Ben and his friends to Ben's father on stage to Ben and Daddy together. Principal dancer for ABT, Forster offers positive messages about dance and fatherhood. (c) Copyright 2023. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

PreS-Gr 1--Ben and his classmates love to play dress-up. It's fun to put on costumes and imagine careers, from tae kwon do master to an architect for hamster houses. The kids use their interests and families as inspiration, but Ben keeps them guessing on his future, though. He announces that he wants to fly like his daddy. He wraps a cape around his shoulders as he gives hints about his daddy's career. Who is strong, fast, slow, fierce, and gentle? When they still can't guess, Ben wows them with the biggest clue so far--his own stellar dance moves. His friends discover that not only is Ben's dad a ballet dancer, but so is Ben. While the plot line subtly works to break down career stereotypes--in the ethnic diversity of the class and the smooth inclusion of women in STEM careers--the story arc abruptly shifts from Ben's dad to Ben. The final illustrations, though, help steer readers through the change in focus by portraying Ben's friends imitating his dance moves. Readers may well want to imitate as well and to further encourage them, the front and back endpapers provide ballet steps and their names. Forster is a principal ballet dance with the American Ballet Theater with a son named Ben; the end notes include photos of their lives. VERDICT Although the story never soars, this is suitablefor collections where dance is a major interest for very young children.--Kate Davis, Fort Lupton Public & School Lib., CO

Ben wants to grow up to be a ballet dancer, just like his dad. One day at school Ben and his friends play dress up. The kids talk about what they want to be when they grow up: taekwondo master, architect, teacher, doctor. Then, it's Ben's turn. He wants to do the same thing his dad does: fly. Can the kids guess his dad's profession? What job could Ben's dad have that requires flying, strength, speed, and more? With a giant leap and a pirouette, Ben gives the kids a visual clue. His dad is a ballet dancer! This short book is really more of a guessing game than a story, given the lack of urgency or conflict. The third-person narration is concise and descriptive, if a bit plodding, as it tells of the depth and breadth of skill and athleticism required of a dancer. Illustrations show Ben's dad dancing before his profession is revealed in the text, so readers will know the answer to the riddle before Ben's classmates do. Ben and his dad are drawn with pale skin and brown hair, and supporting characters are racially diverse. Unfortunately, characters' bodies often lack defined bone structure, so movements appear weak or awkward instead of strong and energetic. Co-author Forster is a principal dancer with the American Ballet Theatre, and backmatter includes pictures of the author dancing as well as pictures of his son, Ben. (This book was reviewed digitally.) Good intentions are mired in mediocre visual and textual storytelling. (Picture book. 3-6) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

While playing in the classroom dress-up corner, five children talk about what they want to be when they grow up. After Ben says, "I want to fly, just like my daddy," Jaden guesses that Ben's dad is a pilot. "Nope," Ben says, adding that his father is "super strong." Is he a football player, firefighter, or a furniture mover? Wrong, wrong, and wrong again. Despite a series of clues, everyone is baffled. But after Ben jumps, leaps, and pirouettes, they call out "Ballet dancer! Your daddy is a ballet dancer." "And so is Ben," his teacher adds, leading the class in applause and calls of "Bravo!" The text reads aloud smoothly, and the guessing-game element works well. Forster, ABT principal dancer, appends an author's note and photos of himself and his son, Ben. Like John Robert Allman and Luciano Lozano's Boys Dance! (2020), this picture book was published in cooperation with American Ballet Theatre. Combining strength, warmth, and delicacy, the well-drawn illustrations create a pleasant tone. A wholly positive picture book about a boy's ambition to become a ballet dancer.