Awards

• Commended for Ezra Jack Keats Book Award (New Writer) 2015
• Winner of Coretta Scott King Award (Illustrator) 2015

Overview

Firebird, a magical glowing bird in the famous Russian ballet of the same name, is American Ballet Theatre's Misty Copeland's signature role, the one that made her famous. And the story of how she became Firebird is not only inspiring, but miraculous. Misty didn't take up ballet until age 13, but by age 17 she was a professional and was appointed ABT soloist at age 24, their first African American solist in two decades. Driven by her newfound passion for the art, which she discovered at her local Boys & Girls Club, Misty accomplished so much in such a short amount of time through good old-fashioned hard work, discipline and an unwavering belief in herself. In her debut picture book, Firebird, illustrated by the award-winning Christopher Myers, Misty tells the fictionalized story of a young girl (an every girl) whose confidence is fragile and who is questioning her own ability to reach the heights that Misty Copeland has reached. Misty encourages this young girl's faith in herself and shows her exactly how, through hard work and dedication, she too can become Firebird. Lyrical and affecting text paired with bold, vibrant and striking illustrations that are the hallmark of some of Christopher Myers' best work, makes Firebird perfect for aspiring ballerinas everywhere. In her debut picture book, Misty Copeland tells the story of a young girl--an every girl--whose confidence is fragile and who is questioning her own ability to reach the heights that Misty has reached. Misty encourages this young girl's faith in herself and shows her exactly how, through hard work and dedication, she too can become Firebird. Lyrical and affecting text paired with bold, striking illustrations that are some of Caldecott Honoree Christopher Myers's best work, makes Firebird perfect for aspiring ballerinas everywhere.

Full Product Details

9780399166150

Table of Contents

Reviews

The language soars into dizzying heights of lyrical fancy... Myers' artwork... pulsate[s] with kinetic synergy... A starscape filled with visual drama and brilliance. - Kirkus Reviews , starred review

<b>Praise for <i>FIREBIRD: </i><b>Winner of the 2015 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award</b><b>Received the 2015 Ezra Jack Keats Book Award New Writer Honor An NPR Best Book of 2014</b><b>An Amazon Best Book of 2014 - Ages 6-8</b><b>An Amazon Best Book of the Month, September 2014</b><b><i>Essence </i>Magazine Best Children's Book of 2014</b> The language soars into dizzying heights of lyrical fancy... Myers' artwork... pulsate[s] with kinetic synergy... A starscape filled with visual drama and brilliance. --<i><b>Kirkus Reviews</b></i>, starred review Ballet dancer Misty Copeland makes her children's book debut with this inspiring love letter to young people, containing breathtaking illustrations of airborne dancers by Caldecott Honor artist Christopher Myers... Brava! --<b><i>Shelf Awareness, </i></b> starred review An inspirational picture book for children daunted by the gap between their dream and their reality. --<i><b>Booklist</b></i> A poetic dialogue between an aspiring young dancer and the American Ballet Theater's soloist comprises the text of this stunning picture book... which feature[s] full spreads bursting with color and excitement... A very successful collaboration. --<b><i>School Library Journal</i></b> [A] soaring debut picture book by American Ballet Theater star Misty Copeland... Myers' extraordinary artwork captures the mystique of the Firebird ballet and Copeland's indomitable spirit. This is a tale that will inspire all up-and-comers. --<b><i>BookPage</i></b> Scenes of an older dancer guiding a young student... reinforce the feeling that Copeland is speaking directly to readers... Myers paints portrait after portrait of Copeland dancing, placing the images against collages of colored paper whose curves, sunbursts, and radiating rays echo the rhythms of the dancers' movements... a strong impact. --<b><i>Publishers Weekly</i></b> <i> Firebird </i>celebrates optimism--the mentality that you will succeed if you set your mind to it. And we think that's a pretty darn awesome message. --<b><i>Dance Spirit</i></b> World-renowned ballerina Copeland shows that the power and grace she displays on the stage translates to the page as well, paired with Myers' strong illustrations. --<i><b>HuffPost Books</b></i> American Ballet Theatre soloist Copeland is just as graceful with words as she is with her body... Myers's stunning collages layer strips of thickly painted paper to echo the wings of a firebird (Copeland's signature role), whether they are illustrating the stage curtains or a cloudy sky... This book encourages today's aspiring dancers of all colors and backgrounds. --<i><b>The Horn Book </b></i> Misty Copeland's first children's book is destined to become a staple in classrooms and libraries... Copeland's empowering words are matched by award-winning illustrator Christopher Myer's dazzling red and gold hues. --<b><i>Essence Magazine</i></b> Vivid and emotional. Copeland's writing and Myers' art draw you into a beautiful world, rich with color, texture and drama. For all budding young artists who maybe don't have role models they can relate to, this little book provides some inspiration. --<b>NPR Staff Picks, For Art Lovers, Kids' Books</b>

Praise for FIREBIRD: Amazon Best Book of the Month, September 2014 The language soars into dizzying heights of lyrical fancy... Myers' artwork... pulsate[s] with kinetic synergy... A starscape filled with visual drama and brilliance. -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review Ballet dancer Misty Copeland makes her children's book debut with this inspiring love letter to young people, containing breathtaking illustrations of airborne dancers by Caldecott Honor artist Christopher Myers... Brava! -- Shelf Awareness, starred review An inspirational picture book for children daunted by the gap between their dream and their reality. -- Booklist A poetic dialogue between an aspiring young dancer and the American Ballet Theater's soloist comprises the text of this stunning picture book... which feature[s] full spreads bursting with color and excitement... A very successful collaboration. -- School Library Journal [A] soaring debut picture book by American Ballet Theater star Misty Copeland... Myers' extraordinary artwork captures the mystique of the Firebird ballet and Copeland's indomitable spirit. This is a tale that will inspire all up-and-comers. -- BookPage Scenes of an older dancer guiding a young student... reinforce the feeling that Copeland is speaking directly to readers... Myers paints portrait after portrait of Copeland dancing, placing the images against collages of colored paper whose curves, sunbursts, and radiating rays echo the rhythms of the dancers' movements... a strong impact. -- Publishers Weekly Firebird celebrates optimism--the mentality that you will succeed if you set your mind to it. And we think that's a pretty darn awesome message. -- Dance Spirit World-renowned ballerina Copeland shows that the power and grace she displays on the stage translates to the page as well, paired with Myers' strong illustrations. -- HuffPost Books American Ballet Theatre soloist Copeland is just as graceful with words as she is with her body... Myers's stunning collages layer strips of thickly painted paper to echo the wings of a firebird (Copeland's signature role), whether they are illustrating the stage curtains or a cloudy sky... This book encourages today's aspiring dancers of all colors and backgrounds. -- The Horn Book

Praise for FIREBIRD: The language soars into dizzying heights of lyrical fancy... Myers' artwork... pulsate[s] with kinetic synergy... A starscape filled with visual drama and brilliance. -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review An inspirational picture book for children daunted by the gap between their dream and their reality. -- Booklist A poetic dialogue between an aspiring young dancer and the American Ballet Theater's soloist comprises the text of this stunning picture book... which feature[s] full spreads bursting with color and excitement... A very successful collaboration. -- School Library Journal [A] soaring debut picture book by American Ballet Theater star Misty Copeland... Myers' extraordinary artwork captures the mystique of the Firebird ballet and Copeland's indomitable spirit. This is a tale that will inspire all up-and-comers. -- BookPage Scenes of an older dancer guiding a young student... reinforce the feeling that Copeland is speaking directly to readers... Myers paints portrait after portrait of Copeland dancing, placing the images against collages of colored paper whose curves, sunbursts, and radiating rays echo the rhythms of the dancers' movements... a strong impact. -- Publishers Weekly

Praise for FIREBIRD: The language soars into dizzying heights of lyrical fancy... Myers' artwork... pulsate[s] with kinetic synergy... A starscape filled with visual drama and brilliance. -- Kirkus Reviews , starred review An inspirational picture book for children daunted by the gap between their dream and their reality. -- Booklist A poetic dialogue between an aspiring young dancer and the American Ballet Theater's soloist comprises the text of this stunning picture book... which feature[s] full spreads bursting with color and excitement... A very successful collaboration. -- School Library Journal

Praise for FIREBIRD: The language soars into dizzying heights of lyrical fancy... Myers' artwork... pulsate[s] with kinetic synergy... A starscape filled with visual drama and brilliance. -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review An inspirational picture book for children daunted by the gap between their dream and their reality. -- Booklist A poetic dialogue between an aspiring young dancer and the American Ballet Theater's soloist comprises the text of this stunning picture book... which feature[s] full spreads bursting with color and excitement... A very successful collaboration. -- School Library Journal [A] soaring debut picture book by American Ballet Theater star Misty Copeland... Myers' extraordinary artwork captures the mystique of the Firebird ballet and Copeland's indomitable spirit. This is a tale that will inspire all up-and-comers. -- BookPage

Praise for FIREBIRD: The language soars into dizzying heights of lyrical fancy... Myers' artwork... pulsate[s] with kinetic synergy... A starscape filled with visual drama and brilliance. -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review Ballet dancer Misty Copeland makes her children's book debut with this inspiring love letter to young people, containing breathtaking illustrations of airborne dancers by Caldecott Honor artist Christopher Myers... Brava! -- Shelf Awareness, starred review An inspirational picture book for children daunted by the gap between their dream and their reality. -- Booklist A poetic dialogue between an aspiring young dancer and the American Ballet Theater's soloist comprises the text of this stunning picture book... which feature[s] full spreads bursting with color and excitement... A very successful collaboration. -- School Library Journal [A] soaring debut picture book by American Ballet Theater star Misty Copeland... Myers' extraordinary artwork captures the mystique of the Firebird ballet and Copeland's indomitable spirit. This is a tale that will inspire all up-and-comers. -- BookPage Scenes of an older dancer guiding a young student... reinforce the feeling that Copeland is speaking directly to readers... Myers paints portrait after portrait of Copeland dancing, placing the images against collages of colored paper whose curves, sunbursts, and radiating rays echo the rhythms of the dancers' movements... a strong impact. -- Publishers Weekly Firebird celebrates optimism--the mentality that you will succeed if you set your mind to it. And we think that's a pretty darn awesome message. -- Dance Spirit World-renowned ballerina Copeland shows that the power and grace she displays on the stage translates to the page as well, paired with Myers' strong illustrations. -- HuffPost Books

Author Information

Misty Copeland didn't take up ballet until age 13, but by age 17, she was a professional. She was appointed ABT soloist at age 24, their first African American soloist in two decades. Driven by her newfound passion for the art, which she discovered at her local Boys & Girls Club, Misty accomplished so much in such a short amount of time through good old-fashioned hard work, discipline and unwavering belief in herself. Christopher Myers is the award-winning author and illustrator of Caldecott Honoree Harlem and Coretta Scott King Honorees Black Cat and Horse. Myers has also won three Boston Globe-Horn Book Honors and a New York Times Best Illustrated Award.

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