Black Swans
#2 of 3 in Sunbird Picture Books Series
What’s inside...
The stories of six daring, groundbreaking Black ballet dancers leap off the pages of this beautifully illustrated nonfiction picture book. Meet Essie Marie Dorsey, who in 1926 opened one of the first ballet schools for Black students; Arthur Mitchell, the first Black dancer with the New York City Ballet; Christian Holder, a principal dancer with the Joffrey Ballet; choreographer Dwight Rhoden; and present-day ballerinas Misty Copeland and Michaela DePrince. With a leap of faith and a love of dance, these Black Swans overcame obstacles and opened doors for all the children who dream of dancing.
Discussion points
What do you think the black swans symbolize in the story?
How did the characters' actions affect the outcome of the story?
What emotions did you feel while reading about the black swans' journey?
If you were in the story, what would you have done differently?
Which part of the book was the most surprising to you, and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to imagine themselves in the setting of the book, enhancing their connection to the story.
Use expressive reading to highlight emotional parts of the story, which can help your child understand and engage with the characters' feelings.
After reading, ask your child to draw a scene from the book they found meaningful. Discuss their artwork to gain insight into their perspective.
Create a comfortable and distraction-free reading environment to ensure your child can focus fully on the story and discussion.
Praise your child for their thoughts and insights as they answer questions, fostering a positive and encouraging discussion atmosphere.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of embracing diversity
Explanation: In 'Black Swans', various characters from different backgrounds come together, showcasing the beauty of diversity.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to appreciate and celebrate differences in their peers, contributing to a more inclusive environment at school and in their communities.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of adversity
Explanation: The protagonist overcomes significant challenges, demonstrating resilience and determination.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to persist through difficulties whether in their academic pursuits or personal challenges.
Example Lesson: The value of friendship and teamwork
Explanation: Characters in the book collaborate to solve problems, highlighting the importance of working together and supporting one another.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by engaging in collaborative group activities, learning to listen, and valuing each other's input, fostering a spirit of teamwork.
Example Lesson: Courage to stand up for what is right
Explanation: One of the characters bravely stands up to injustice, teaching readers about moral courage.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to uphold fairness and advocate for themselves and others in real-life situations, such as in school or among friends.
Example Lesson: Empathy and compassion
Explanation: Throughout the story, characters show empathy towards each other's situations, which helps resolve conflicts and strengthens bonds.
Real-World Application: This promotes emotional intelligence in children, helping them to understand and respond to the feelings of others in a caring and appropriate manner.