Ballet Brown

Bellen is a new dancer who is noticing that ballet seems to be synonymous with pink shoes and pink or white tights, which is referred to as ballet pink. She learns that the purpose of “ballet pink” is to blend with a dancer’s skin, so she thinks about what would happen if ballet welcomed brown tights, shoes, and more in a similar manner. Her dance studio doesn’t seem really receptive to this, so Bellen takes things into her own hands and decides to walk away from that studio to find one that fits her better. She joins a new studio, where she creates a new way for us to see various skin colors and expressions, celebrating everyone’s authenticity, which she calls “ballet brown.”

What I Liked: Bellen Brown’s name was not one I was familiar with, even though I was aware of her achievements, such as the skin-color crayons. It was fascinating to learn how “ballet pink” originated and also to see how that tradition was one that needed to change and grow with the times. This book shows just how Bellen was able to impact the world of dance by having the courage to walk away and find a new studio that embraced her and allowed her to show others what it looked like to embrace all of you.

The illustrations throughout this book do a great job of highlighting the diversity in dance and also the diversity within Bellen’s family. The expressions on Bellen’s face match how she is feeling in the various situations she is in, such as the disappointment she feels when there are no brown shoes or outfits at a store, or the joy she feels when she finds a studio and a teacher who is willing to answer her questions.

This book closes with several pages of additional information that is helpful to learn more about Bellen and ballet. You get to learn more about Bellen’s accomplishments, why she introduced ballet brown, and the brief history of ballet pink. Bellen also includes a note to studio owners, instructors, and dance families about the importance of accepting and allowing brown tights and shoes while highlighting what her experiences have been. She includes how studios can start the change instead of waiting for the families to ask for change. The end page provides tips to kids and families about joining the dance world, finding your best fit, and being yourself.

Final Verdict: Ballet Brown is a fantastic book that introduces the concept of “ballet brown,” which Bellen Woodard has coined. This book does a great job of highlighting the importance of change and how important it is for studios to change before families and kids have to ask for the change. Children ages 5 and up will enjoy seeing themselves reflected throughout this book in the diversity of the dancers, and learning how to embrace their whole selves and join in these spaces authentically.