LoveReading4Kids Says
LoveReading4Kids Says
Although set in America the soft warm illustrations will be instantly familiar and recognisable, capturing as they do a very typical primary school.
The end papers set the scene with John walking to school and the children gathering on the floor ready for the special Friday assembly. At the end there is something called “Sharing Gifts” which our child narrator tells us is thought to be a bit of a dumb name but acknowledges that this bit is the best. They tell us about what other children have done and that today is John’s turn.
The children can tell how nervous he is, unable to join in their chatter or eat his breakfast. We see John getting changed ready for his performance and he sits so still, holding his hands tightly together. Then he is announced and takes his place on the stage and we see the bored and restless faces as he does. The music starts “How in the world do you dance to that?”.
The perspective changes and we see the fear and anxiety so clearly on his face and then we are simply told – he danced. In a wonderful, energetic wordless sequence, spreads show John turning, leaping, and landing, light as a feather, ending with a joyful leap, with his passion and pleasure shining out. Then it was our turn, says the omniscient narrator. “We clapped”.
It is wonderful to see how John’s apprehension turns to confidence and even elation as he dances; his facial expressions and body language are spot-on, including the shy flush of pleasure at the well-deserved applause. How empowering to have a boy character in a children’s book so enthusiastic about, and accomplished at, ballet. Any child who struggles with performance anxiety, or fears criticism from their peers, will find a positive role model in John.
Joy Court
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About
John's Turn Synopsis
E. B. White Read-Aloud winner Mac Barnett celebrates individuality in a story told with tenderness and subtlety.
It's John's big day at school today - a performance for Sharing Gifts time. His bag is carefully packed and prepared, his classmates are ready, and the curtain is waiting to open. John is nervous, looking out at all the other children staring back at him. But he takes a big breath and begins. Mac Barnett's compassionate text and Kate Berube's expressive art tell the story of a child who finds the courage to show others his talent for dancing.
About This Edition
| ISBN: |
9781529516593 |
| Publication date: |
2nd January 2025 |
| Author: |
Mac Barnett |
| Illustrator: |
Kate Berube |
| Publisher: |
Walker Books Ltd an imprint of Walker Books |
| Format: |
Paperback |
| Pagination: |
30 pages |
| Suitable For: |
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Press Reviews
Mac Barnett Press Reviews
Employing sweet humor and sensory detail, Barnett (What Is Love?) and Berube (Second Banana) convey the unexpected beauty of a school performance. . . in a breathlessly kinetic, wordless sequence, spreads show John turning, leaping, and landing, light as a feather. . . The story's collective, omniscient voice and graceful illustrations, wonderfully reminiscent of The Philharmonic Gets Dressed, portray a community that stays open and curious-and a child who shares their effort with brave vulnerability. - Publishers Weekly (starred review)
Barnett and Berube offer a sensitive story about a boy grappling with stage fright and insecurity. . . . Barnett and Berube bring mastery of craft as well as an understanding of human nature to offer a fresh take on a familiar trope. - The Horn Book (starred review)
Berube's warmly colored illustrations capture how John's apprehension turns to confidence and even elation as he dances; his facial expressions and body language are spot-on. Much of this perfectly paced book is devoted to John's performance, including five elegantly and economically composed, almost wordless spreads. . . . John faces down his fear to share his gift with determination, beauty and a style that is all his own. A true gift, indeed. - BookPage (starred review)
The quiet text tells the story simply, though during the lively, eight-page dance sequence featuring images of John in motion, two words suffice: 'He danced.' Berube's sensitive drawings, created with ink and paint, capture the look and ambiance of the elementary-school setting as well as John's emotions. A respectful, wonderfully childlike introduction to ballet. - Booklist
Berube's simple ink-and-paint illustrations have minimal background details, allowing readers to focus squarely on John and his emotions. It is truly wonderful to see a boy character in a children's book so enthusiastic about, and accomplished at, ballet. Any child, though, who has a talent to share or struggles with performance anxiety will find a role model in John. . . . A lovely, empowering book about having the courage to express one's individuality. - Kirkus Reviews
Author
About Mac Barnett
Mac Barnett is a New York Times-bestselling author of stories for children. His work has been translated into more than 30 languages and sold more than 5 million copies worldwide. Mac’s books have won many prizes, including two Caldecott Honors, three New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Awards, three E.B. White Read Aloud Awards, the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award, Germany’s Jugendliteraturpreis, China’s Chen Bochui International Children’s Literature Award, The Netherlands’ Silver Griffel, and Italy’s Premio Orbil.
He is the co-creator, with Jon Klassen, of Shape Island, a stop-motion animated series on Apple TV+, based on their best-selling Shapes series of picture books. Mac lives in Oakland, California.
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