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katie_l21's review against another edition
3.0
This was a nice graphic novel about Siena Chardon Siegel's childhood into adulthood and the struggles she faced with dance.
izzys_internet_bookshelf's review against another edition
4.0
1/5
The story was alright, I just had high expectations for the book and I personally didn’t enjoy the artists style.
REREAD
4.5/5
I don't know what I was thinking when I first read this book. Upon rereading it I found that it was an amazing story that can prove that interests change overtime and some instances can change the outcome of the journey in a big way. The drawing style still felt a little bit off to me though but it wasn't such a thorn in my side like the first time.
The story was alright, I just had high expectations for the book and I personally didn’t enjoy the artists style.
REREAD
4.5/5
I don't know what I was thinking when I first read this book. Upon rereading it I found that it was an amazing story that can prove that interests change overtime and some instances can change the outcome of the journey in a big way. The drawing style still felt a little bit off to me though but it wasn't such a thorn in my side like the first time.
analyticalchaos's review against another edition
3.0
The Siegels' [b:To Dance: A Ballerina's Graphic Novel|6531284|To Dance A Ballerina's Graphic Novel|Siena Cherson Siegel|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1328012762l/6531284._SX50_.jpg|68994] was one of my favorites growing up. I was really excited to see how Tiny Dancer held up.
It was a pretty decent read. I liked the more mature take on Siena's journey through dance. This graphic novel filled in the blanks of its predecessor. My one qualm would be that some of the dialogue narration felt a bit awkward compared to the pacing of the story.
It was a pretty decent read. I liked the more mature take on Siena's journey through dance. This graphic novel filled in the blanks of its predecessor. My one qualm would be that some of the dialogue narration felt a bit awkward compared to the pacing of the story.
sparklelys's review against another edition
5.0
Everyone can dance. Not everyone will be great, and very very few will become professional dancers, but everyone can dance. And if dance is in you, you're a dancer.
Siena has always danced ballet. Balanchine is life, and her stated plan is New York City Ballet (NYCB) or nothing. She loves the royal feeling of it. The only problem is recurring self-doubt. What do you do when everything you've always wanted to do is just out of reach? Do you keep trying or do you change directions to find something else that is also you?
The art to this graphic novel is stunningly gorgeous. It felt like a story interspersed with full dance posters. The movement and the lightness of Balanchine's choreography doesn't easily translate to the page, and Mark Siegel has absolutely nailed it.
Bonus: UNCSA makes a summerlong appearance starting on page 80.
Siena has always danced ballet. Balanchine is life, and her stated plan is New York City Ballet (NYCB) or nothing. She loves the royal feeling of it. The only problem is recurring self-doubt. What do you do when everything you've always wanted to do is just out of reach? Do you keep trying or do you change directions to find something else that is also you?
The art to this graphic novel is stunningly gorgeous. It felt like a story interspersed with full dance posters. The movement and the lightness of Balanchine's choreography doesn't easily translate to the page, and Mark Siegel has absolutely nailed it.
Bonus: UNCSA makes a summerlong appearance starting on page 80.
booklover160's review against another edition
4.0
This was a really interesting look into the life of ballet. I wanted to do ballet when I was a kid but I hated to focus on one thing and I ended up getting too big and tall for it.
This is a look into the author's life as she navigates her parent's divorce, fairweather friends, and losing passion in something she thought she'd do her whole life. I resonate with that all so very much. It's a beautiful story and my only critique is that it sometimes jumps around with little context. At one point I had to turn back a page to make sure I didn't miss anything.
Overall, a beautiful memoir style graphic about growing up and ballet.
This is a look into the author's life as she navigates her parent's divorce, fairweather friends, and losing passion in something she thought she'd do her whole life. I resonate with that all so very much. It's a beautiful story and my only critique is that it sometimes jumps around with little context. At one point I had to turn back a page to make sure I didn't miss anything.
Overall, a beautiful memoir style graphic about growing up and ballet.
literarybutterfly's review against another edition
3.0
When I first came across Tiny Dancer, I was eager to read it because I too was a ballerina growing up. I was interested to see if I could find myself in the story as I don’t believe I’ve ever read anything about dance before. I really enjoyed the graphics in Tiny Dancer. I was really impressed with the detail and accuracy put into the depiction of ballet. As a former dancer, that kind of attention to detail is really important to me in any kind of depiction of dance regardless of the medium. I did really appreciate the portrayal of the comparative nature of ballet and how it often feeds into negative self thoughts and feelings of inadequacy when set backs keep you from following the same path as your peers. I think any athlete can relate to the feelings of lost potential and uncertainty after an injury as depicted in Tiny Dancer. I would also have like to seen a lot more exploration of the dance culture at large and how it often negatively impacts mental health. In my experience, dance instructors perpetuated unrealistic expectations of body image and perfectionism. They were quick to criticize and only sparingly dealt out words of encouragement or approval. For this reason, Tiny Dancer felt very singular in its story, but as this is a memoir, perhaps this was not as big a part of the author’s experience as it was mine.
Overall, this is a pretty solid graphic memoir. It’s reminiscent of Spinning by Tillie Walden which similarly chronicles the author’s life through graphics but as an ice skater. If you’ve enjoyed that, I think you would also like Tiny Dancer.
Thank you to NetGalley for the e-arc of Tiny Dancer. All opinions are my own.
Overall, this is a pretty solid graphic memoir. It’s reminiscent of Spinning by Tillie Walden which similarly chronicles the author’s life through graphics but as an ice skater. If you’ve enjoyed that, I think you would also like Tiny Dancer.
Thank you to NetGalley for the e-arc of Tiny Dancer. All opinions are my own.