Vampirina Ballerina Paperback – January 1, 2012

When my daughter started ballet classes I knew she'd want this book. Vampirina at the Beach is already a hit at bedtime and this book quickly proved just as popular. Anne Marie Pace's dry humor and LeUyen Pham's cute art make this fun to read and for our kids to listen to. The themes of taking on new challenges, meeting new friends and practice, practice, practice resonate with our kids.It's also a chance to broaden their education about vampirism since I have to explain jokes like why Vampirina does not show up in a mirror or why she turns into a bat when she's nervous ☺There's a gatefold section that is a great showcase for both Vampirina's dancing and Pham's art but seems a trifle indulgent, and is a bit of a hassle to open when I'm tried and sharing a bed with two kids.Overall this is a great book, well made with high quality paper, and the aforementioned gatefold, it's clear the publisher knew they would have a hit.

Our family loves this book - boys (5 & 7) and girl (4) think Vampirina is a funny girl! Her reflection doesn't appear in the mirror, she turns into a bat when she's embarrassed, she practices with mummies, and her recital costume is... Unique! And as parents we love that Vampirina perseveres to do what she loves - and that her family is 100% supportive! Not to mention this is a perfect Halloween read!! We highly recommend this sweet story with fabulous illustrations!

Really cute and funny story, with wonderful illustrations.

We love Vampirina! Purchased this book before Disney came out with the cartoon. It’s been an absolute favorite. Now that Campirina is on the Disney channel it’s even more popular and this book is on repeat with my daughter. It’s a beautifully illustrated book with a sweat storyline.

I love Vampirina Ballerina and her family. This story is a must for little aspiring ballerinas. Following Vampirina and her transition from beginning ballerina to a seasoned performer the book shows that the art requires patience, practice, and support from your family to achieve your dreams.

Bought as Christmas present for my 5-yr old daughter whose been taking dance for under a year, and enjoys supernatural/sci-fi-y kind of things. We like the story and art, and I enjoy reading it to her. Not going to give away the whole thing, but there are positive messages in there that I like, as a parent, but it's all fun, nothing preachy.

This book is one of our Halloween-themed purchased this year for our daughter who loves stories and is beginning to read. At 4.75 years, she also happens to love her ballet class, which is one of the central themes of the story. My wife, daughter, and I have really enjoyed this book, and it offers subtle support to our teaching of the importance of goals and hard work.The story follows a young female vampire who aspires to be a ballerina. Off she goes to ballerina school and learns that it takes a lot of hard work, patience, and practice to be a ballerina. (or to be successful at anything, for that matter) There's also a lesson of trying to fit in here, too: All the other ballerinas are non-vampires, and there are amusing scenes where her schoolmates don't quite know what to make of the fangs, bat wings, and the fact that she turns into a bat (poof!) every time she gets embarrassed. Hard work and practice pay off, however, and she finally gets her debut.I'm not sure I want my daughter to be a ballerina (as if it's entirely up to me) but I do appreciate the overall theme of hard work and persistence, along focusing on the outcome despite challenging beginnings. All this is presented rather softly and it well-received by my daughter. She likes it and asks for it to be read to her at bedtime, so the exposure to positive messages is there; she also enjoys sitting by herself and following the story page by page by herself.The story flows through the book in asymmetric non-block format, which is good for keeping young eyes focused, and the art is always complementary to the narrative. The art itself is attractively done in watercolor in entertaining juxtaposition of pink (ballerina) and black (vampire). The parents and family members remind me something of the Adams Family, but I like that they are supportive of the little girl vampire's aspirations. Naturally, they are all present at her big theater debut.The book is a charming and easy read and stands up well to repeated readings. Possibly more effective around the Halloween holiday, this book would work at any time of year for young ballerinas. Recommended.

We read this book over and over at Halloween time