LUPITA'S BROWN BALLET SLIPPERS by Steena Hernandez

Full Circle, Encouraging Words, Music, Dance and Literacy!

I was so happy to be able to talk to Steena Hernandez for this episode!  Steena was one of the very earliest supporters of PBJamz -- back when she and I were in the query trenches together. Obviously, much has changed since then :-D. So, there are no words for how thrilled I am to be part of the team sharing Steena's beautiful book with my little part of the world!  Check out the conversation surrounding music, dance, encouraging words and more!

LUPITA'S BROWN BALLET SLIPPERS

This beautiful book is a fictional account of a young girl named Lupita who longs for ballet slippers that match her beautiful brown skin to extend the lines of her dance.  But, they are uncommon, difficult to find, and expensive.  So, she gets creative, and she gets busy. There are so many positive messages in this story: acceptance, fairness, strong work ethic, tenacity, and more. But at it's heart, it's a beautiful story of a young girl who loves to dance. Absolutely beautiful!  Don't miss it!

A Little Jam. . .(The Music Kind)

I chose this piece to highlight for a few reasons:

1. It has multiple ethnicities (although their ballet slippers are all colored to match their tutus.)
2. It's an upbeat song I think kids would enjoy.
3. You could use it in multiple ways: listening, sing along, movement activities.

​If you don't love this one, there are lots more in the links section. There is lots of instrumental ballet music along with some fun songs like this one for your younger aspiring ballerinas.

Teacher Tips, Tricks and Topics

Dance --Ballet

• Positions
• Vocabulary (French connections)
• Music
• History
• Basic steps
• Watch ballets 
  • Nutcracker
  • Swan Lake
  • Cinderella
  • Sleeping Beauty

Social Studies

• Diversity and inclusion
• Historical exclusion/inclusion
• Partner with I SEE COLOR (by Valerie Bolling and Kailei Pew) for discussions about BIPOC representation

Reading/Literacy

• Beginning/Middle/End
• Using quotation marks
• Similes

Financial Literacy/Math

• Saving money/piggy banks
• Getting a job to earn money
• Savings accrual
• Pair with Kimberly Wilson books A PENNY'S WORTH, DOLLAR'S GRAND DREAM & CREDIT CARD TAKES CHARGE for more financial literacy bang for the buck!

SEL (Social Emotional Learning)

• Feelings
• Standing up for oneself/Agency

Art

• Self-portraits
• Skin-color matching
• Naming skin colors (not just black and white) Pair with I SEE COLOR by Valerie Bolling and Kailei Pew

Tips and Topics for Music Teachers

Dance connections -- Ballet (see teaching tips above for dance)

• Music for ballet
• Ballet vocabulary
• Watch ballets and discuss
• Learn about ballerinas of color
• Discuss gender stereotypes (Male ballet dancers are strong and athletic, etc.)
• Ballet composers (Tchaikovsky)

​Writing Prompts from Tonnye

1. Write about a time you felt left out or "othered" in some way.
2. Write about a time you couldn't afford something you wanted. How did you handle that?  Were you able to solve the problem?
3. Write a list of jobs you could do to earn extra money.
4. Write a story about a piggy bank.
5. Write about a boy who wanted to dance ballet.
6. Choose one of the other dancers in the story and write her story.
7. If you have ever danced ballet, write about that experience.
8. Have you ever attended a ballet or watched a ballet on video. What were your thoughts? What did you like? What was challenging to understand?
9. Write a report about one of the dancers in the back matter. Tell their story.
10. Write about Tchaicovsky and his ballets.
11. In your own words, write about why it was important for Lupita to have ballet slippers that matched her skin tone.
12. If you had ballet slippers to match your skin tone, what would they be called and why?
13. Write a story titled EVERYONE DESERVES TO SHINE.

​Writing Tips from Steena

-I use the notes section on my phone to record ideas or phrases that come to mind if I'm out and about. I’ve written full first drafts on my phone and then I copy and paste them into a document when I’m ready.

-If I’m researching a topic, which I am now for a new PB draft, I like to keep a separate document going for citing online or book information. I can add it to the back matter of the draft later, once it’s organized.

-Find good, like-minded critique partners who write in the same age category to share your manuscripts. 

-Take breaks when you need them! ​

Links, More Fun, Extensions for Families and Everyone!

YouTube playlist full of songs about ballet, ballerinas, music for aspiring ballerinas and more!

​Pinterest board with lots of ballet-themed activities, money-saving sheets and activities, skin-color activities, and more.

PBJamz Snack

What better way to celebrate Latina ballerinas than with a yummy PBJ tortilla snack?  Easily customizable, super-tasty and sure to sustain your little dancer until practice is over.   Click the link and scroll down to number 4 to find the recipe for the PBJ ones .

Guest Links and Giveaways

Steena's website (Links to purchase LUPITA'S BROWN BALLET SLIPPERS here too!)

Instagram

Twitter/X

Steena has offered up a signed copy of LUPITA'S BROWN BALLET SLIPPERS as a PBJamz giveaway for this episode.  To be eligible, simply leave a comment below by Wednesday, Oct. 16 at 11:59 PM EST.  I'll choose a lucky winner from the comments.

** Remember to support PBJamz authors through reviews, library requests, word of mouth, and any other way you can get the word out about their books.