I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
A young woman with dreams of being a dancer struggles with her confidence, and finds herself steeped in a journey towards destiny after a magical costume connects her to a world-renowned dancer from the past in author Catherine Follestad’s “The Ballerina”.
The Synopsis

The Ballerina is a story about reaching dreams, fulfilling destiny, and an extraordinary experience of a lifetime.
Alina loves to dance and has a growing passion for the art of ballet. With an upcoming performance for her dance class, she finds herself struggling with the confidence to stand out.
One day, while helping her mother in her vintage shop, Alina finds an old enchanting costume in a donated box. This magical costume connects Alina to a famous prima ballerina from times past, who encourages her to work hard and believe in herself.
With excitement and renewed confidence, Alina not only discovers more about the art of dance, but also finds her destiny and true self.
The Review
This was an engaging and heartfelt read. The author does an amazing job of connecting with younger readers, giving an honest and emotional look into the mindset of young women as they not only grow but as they pursue their passions in life. The lighthearted pacing of the story and the emotional weight of the protagonist’s struggles instantly draw young readers into the story as the narrative progresses.
To me, the heart of this story rested in the dynamic character development and the almost magical sense of time travel and magical realism that permeated the story. The themes of hard work and making your dreams a reality felt both attainable and inspiring through this magical lens and the mystery surrounding the woman who would appear to the protagonist and the connection she shared with Anna added a touch of mystery and history to the story.
The Verdict
Memorable, heartfelt, and engaging, author Catherine Follestad’s “The Ballerina” is a must-read children’s dance and time travel book that you won’t want to miss. The passion and heart for which the story is told and the relatable characters will have children eagerly taking hold of this book and getting lost in the narrative immediately. If you haven’t yet, be sure to grab your copy today!
Rating: 10/10
About the Author

Catherine Follestad has always been interested in art and storytelling in many forms. Her early painting career began in Australia in 1972 when she and her husband moved there for a teaching job. During this time, they were Sunday School Supervisors and teachers with a love of telling bible stories using songs, pictures, and flannel graphs. Her creativity expanded into local art shows where she sold her paintings.
Upon returning to the United States, Catherine studied with local artists while taking classes at Western Washington University and Whatcom Community College. She broadened her interests to various mediums and began experimenting with illustrations and cartooning.
Catherine loves the artistic process and beauty of life which is reflected in everything she writes and paints. Her books tell stories of heroes, the underdog, or someone who overcomes a challenge. Her children’s picture books include The Itty Bitty Kitty (Nov 2011) I Think That I Would Like to Be (March 2012) The Itty Bitty Kitty: Mystery At Reflection Pond (Feb 2013) and I Dream That I May One Day Be (Aug. 2013), Itty Bitty Kitty and the Fun Day (May 2016)
Catherine has been featured in Raising Arizona Kids Magazine on the subject of bullying and the Reader House Author Roundtable. She enjoys visiting many elementary schools to read her books and share her illustrations. Catherine and her husband currently live in Arizona where she enjoys painting and traveling back to Australia.