Tallulah's Tutu
#1 of 6 in Tallulah Series
What’s inside...
Tallulah just knew she could be a great ballerina, if only she had a tutu. So she starts ballet class. When she does not receive a tutu, she quits. But everywhere she goes, things keep reminding her of ballet. Her neighbor’s basset hound always stands in second position. The kitchen clock performs perfect ronds de jambe. And Tallulah can’t seem to stop doing ballet, either. A park bench makes a perfect barre, and what better way to pet the dog than with a graceful plié? This well-told, funny story with a smart new character will satisfy girls’ cravings for pretty and pink, but also shows that ballet is about more than just the tutu.
Discussion points
How do you think Tallulah felt when she didn't immediately get her tutu? Can you think of a time when you had to wait for something you really wanted?
What are some ways Tallulah tried to earn her tutu? What would you have done in her place?
Why is practicing important when learning something new, like ballet? How does practice help us improve?
How did Tallulah's family and friends support her dream? Who supports your dreams, and how do they help you?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive reading to convey the emotions of the characters, helping your child connect with Tallulah's journey.
Ask your child to predict what might happen next at various points in the story. Discuss their predictions and compare them as you read along.
Relate the story to real-life situations your child might face, particularly focusing on patience, practice, and persistence in achieving goals.
Encourage your child to talk about their own dreams and discuss practical steps they might take towards achieving them, drawing parallels to Tallulah’s experiences.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: Tallulah showcases perseverance as she continues to practice ballet despite initial setbacks and not receiving a tutu immediately.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of persisting and continuing to work towards a goal, even if it doesn't yield immediate results. This can be applied in their academic pursuits or learning new skills.
Example Lesson: Patience
Explanation: Throughout the story, Tallulah learns to be patient as she understands that earning her tutu comes with time and dedication to ballet.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the value of waiting and working for rewards, reinforcing that not everything comes instantly and some things are worth waiting for.
Example Lesson: Understanding disappointment
Explanation: Tallulah experiences disappointment, a complex emotion, when her expectations of immediately getting a tutu are not met.
Real-World Application: Children learn to cope with and manage feelings of disappointment, which is an essential emotional skill needed to navigate various life scenarios.
Example Lesson: Appreciation of hard work
Explanation: As Tallulah dedicates herself to her ballet practice, she gains a deeper appreciation for the effort required to achieve her goals.
Real-World Application: Children understand that dedication and effort are necessary to attain mastery in any field, be it academic, artistic, or athletic.
Example Lesson: Joy in the journey
Explanation: While initially focused on the tutu, Tallulah eventually finds joy in the process of learning ballet itself.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children appreciate the process and not just the end results, encouraging them to find happiness in the act of learning and growing.