Book Review of Ellie’s Dancing Shoes
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The Children’s Book Review
Ellie’s Dancing Shoes
Written by Scott Sollers
Illustrated by Bryan Janky
Ages: 4-8 | 38 Pages
Publisher: Mascot Books (2025) | ISBN: 979-8891383418
What to Expect: Self-confidence, perseverance, ballet, family support, believing in yourself
Children often struggle with self-doubt and confidence; Ellie’s Dancing Shoes delivers a powerful message about finding the magic within yourself.
This beautifully illustrated story introduces readers to Ellie, a young girl in New York City who dreams of becoming a ballerina but lacks confidence in her abilities. Ellie practices diligently every day, but her self-doubt manifests physically—when she stretches, she slips; when she leaps, she slides; when she twirls, she gets all twisted.
Her supportive parents, noticing her distress, play a crucial role in her journey. They give her “magical” ballet shoes that supposedly belonged to her grandmother, a former star ballerina. With these special shoes, Ellie’s confidence soars, and her dancing improves dramatically. The heart of the story emerges when Ellie loses her shoes before an important audition and learns that the “magic” wasn’t in the shoes at all.
The story will feel relatable to young readers as it acknowledges their struggles—the revelation that Ellie’s talent and ability were within her all along delivers a beautiful message about inner strength and self-confidence. Parents and educators will appreciate how the narrative demonstrates that children sometimes need a “magical” boost to recognize their abilities, providing them with an excellent opportunity to discuss the power of belief in oneself and how support from loved ones can help overcome personal challenges.
Bryan Janky’s whimsically detailed watercolor illustrations bring emotional depth to the narrative as he captures Ellie’s struggles and triumphs. Scenes of New York City life add cultural richness, while the depictions of ballet poses are sure to delight dance enthusiasts.
Ellie’s Dancing Shoes is a heartwarming story that encourages children to look within themselves for their special talents while teaching them the importance of perseverance, practice, and believing in themselves.
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About the Author
Scott Sollers worked as an investment banker in the municipal securities industry for decades. He created Ellie’s Dancing Shoes and other nighttime stories for his daughter Stephanie when she was a youngster. Originally, he handwrote and illustrated these stories and finally had the inspiration to get them published. Scott is an avid golfer and the president of First Tee for the San Francisco region, a not-for-profit organization that teaches core values through golf to children. He currently resides in San Mateo, California, with his cat Charlie.
For more information, visit scottsollersauthor.com.
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