Ballet Besties: Indu's Time to Shine

81pnuQx1F4L
Co-Authors / Illustrators
Publisher
Age Range
8+
Release Date
September 09, 2025
ISBN
978-1536243802
Buy This Book
     
Whether they’re devoted dancers or in it just for fun, kids of all kinds are invited to the Shimmer and Shine studio! In this second book in a series, Indu overcomes some stage fright with the help of her ballet besties.

Indu loves learning ballet at her local community dance school, but unlike her friends, she doesn’t want to be a principal dancer when she grows up. While she’s a bit afraid of being on stage, dancing is still one of her favorite hobbies. When the class has the chance to see the ballet Cinderella put on professionally, Indu realizes the other way she’s different—her mom can’t afford the ticket. Indu figures out a way to go, but it makes her think: Aren’t there other kids out there who want to learn ballet and can’t? Shouldn’t ballet be for everyone? From a principal dancer with the Royal Ballet and an award-winning children’s author comes an engaging story of friendship, responsibility, and teamwork, with back matter explaining the various dance techniques and more. Black-and-white illustrations bring a diverse group of characters to life.

Editor review

1 review
Pirouetting with a Purpose
(Updated: June 25, 2026)
Overall rating
 
4.0
Plot
 
4.0
Characters
 
4.0
Writing Style
 
4.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
4.0
Indu would much rather study science for her future career as a doctor, but her mother wants her to have a variety of activities. She attends Miss Diamond's Shimmer and Shine Academy. She does enjoy hanging out with fellow dancers Yara, who wants to be a prima ballerina, as well as Momoka, Charlie, and Dante. The group frequently hangs out at Yara's mother's patisserie, where they are treated to free baked goods, which is a relief for Indu, since her single mother struggles with bills. When Miss Diamond plans a trip to the professional ballet to see a production of Cinderella, Indu is slow to turn in her permission slip, since she doesn't want to ask her mother for money. Eventually, since she wants to go so badly, she forges her mother's signature and doesn't pay, although she goes to the performance. Eventually, she confesses to Miss Diamond, who tells her that they could have worked something out. While all of the other dancers want the role of Cinderella in the production, Indu really does not, although she claims to since all of her friends are trying out. She's happier with a smaller role, and throws herself into a fund raiser to benefit other students who might have trouble paying for lessons.
Good Points
While many children are keen to take lessons or participate in sports, there are always children who are doing these activities for other reasons, and may be more reluctant to take the spotlight, even though the enjoy the camraderie of the activity. Indu's interest in science, and her preference for studying, will speak to many young readers, but it's good to see that she is eventually able to enjoy ballet.

Many activities are expensive, so it is nice to see a realistic story about the concerns children have over the cost. Indu is torn between wanting to be with her friends and the reality of her mother's financial situation. Her desire to help others out is admirable, and a great example.

The illustrations scattered throughout the book will make this even more appealing to upper elementary students, and I enjoyed the glossary of ballet terms and diagrams of positions.

Streatfield's Ballet Shoes is a classic, and there are a few other ballet books that readers interested in this sport can turn to, including Bound's And All That Jazz, Peck and Harris' Katarina Ballerina, and Siwa's Jojo & Bow Bow.
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