Lila Bloom — Alexander Stadler

Performing well can be its own reward

Lila Bloom is in a very bad mood. On the way to ballet practice, Lila declares, "I despise ballet!" and later announces, "This will be my last class." Lila's unflappable teacher, Madame Vera, suggests that maybe quitting is not such a bad idea. She even points out that Lila has been dancing "like an old noodle." An angry Lila puts extra effort into her dancing, but Madame doesn't seem to notice. And then something marvelous happens.

Expressive ink-and-gouache illustrations capture all of Lila Bloom's emotions as her day goes from bad to worse to wonderful.