Basing her hero on a real dog who was the onetime mascot of the National Ballet of Canada, Maybarduk (The Dancer Who Flew
), herself a former ballerina, choreographs the story of a beagle balletomane who gets his moment in the spotlight. James, whose owners teach in a ballet company, is an indispensable member of the corps. "During rehearsal he bravely helped the male dancers perfect their lifts," writes Maybarduk, as Johnson's (My Sister Gracie
) watercolor-and-ink spot illustration shows the ecstatic, sausage-shaped James being hoisted in the air. "It was a busy life, but James was the dog for the job." When a sleek but untalented wolfhound is cast as the hunting dog in Giselle
, James is heartbroken ("He did nothing with his role," grouses the beagle of his rival). But he's also waiting in the wings when the wolfhound, struck with stage fright, bolts offstage, and the beagle hero steals the show with "a soaring grand jeté." Maybarduk and Johnson make ideal partners; the gently wry text performs a seamless pas de deux with the illustrator's fluid lines, elegant editorial styling and witty repertoire of expressions (both dog and human). It's a book certain to win hearts of young ballet fans, and anyone else who likes to root for the underdog. Ages 3-5. (Nov.)
