The Best Figure Skater in the Whole Wide World

Liz L’Heureux is a public service librarian in the Science and
Technology Library at the University of Alberta.

Lizzy desperately wants to become a world champion figure skater. To
achieve this goal, she practices harder and longer than anyone else, but
seemingly to no avail. When the instructor casts the upcoming skating
show, Lizzy closes her eyes and pleads, “Pick me, pick me, pick me.”
But one by one the “real” roles are given out without Lizzy being
chosen. Finally she is told that she will be a tree—one that stands on
the ice and wears a stiff, hard costume. Lizzy is devastated. During the
rehearsals, she mopes. Then comes the night of the performance.
Spontaneously Lizzy turns the situation around by leading the rest of
the trees in dancing moves as they exit the ice. The audience loves the
dancing trees and cheers loudly for them!

Linda Bailey convincingly portrays the universal experience of
childhood disappointment, and Alan and Lea Daniel’s gouache paintings
colourfully illustrate the action. The Best Figure Skater... makes a
good read-aloud story that will particularly appeal to young girls with
an interest in figure skating or dance. Children who have experienced
the hurt of not being chosen for something special will relate to
Lizzy’s feelings and will enjoy seeing Lizzy take control of the
situation and make it fun for everyone. Recommended.