Little Diva
PreSchool-K—LaChanze, a star of stage and screen herself, supplies a peek at the life of a Broadway performer in this enticing story about a girl's dream of one day conquering the Great White Way. Nena relates her activities from morning to night as she works as a "D.I.T.—Diva-in-Training." After trying on her mother's clothes, dancing and singing about the house, and watching her mother practice her yoga, the two spend the afternoon at the theater, where the woman is the star. Readers get a glimpse of backstage life as Nena visits with the crew, tries on wigs in the costume department, "helps" the musicians tune up, and then watches the show from the sidelines. That evening, she drifts off to sleep, stardust in her eyes. Pinkney catches the mood with sprawling thick black lines and swirling soft hues of pink, lavender, blue, and tawny, bringing a breezy lightness that fits this upbeat tale. Swathes of colors back various-sized type, giving voice to Nena's excitement: "WOW," "IT'S SHOWTIME," "YOU ARE AMAZING." Youngsters, girls in particular, will pore over the pictures and imagine themselves right into the story. Look out America—this book is sure to increase its numbers of D.I.T.s.—Barbara Elleman, Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, Amherst, MACopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.