Ready to Fly: How Sylvia Townsend Became the Bookmobile Ballerina

The bookmobile was my first experience learning that there were books on every subject under the sun. My Daddy kept a limited store of books (our library). Daddy walked us to the bookmobile near our elementary school. I became a voracious reader.My 3 year old granddaughter loves reading. This book provides insight in to the importance of reading and self-teaching; and opens the unlimited possibilities of YES I CAN. I LOVE IT!

I own may titles from this author, from the oittles to adolescent/teen YA books and have never been disappointed! Great illustrations in everything with illustrations too!

As a former dancer I love filling my daughters' bookcases with stories that feature dance. And bonus points for stories that offer characters from all sorts of different racial and social demographics. This is a charming story about a girl who loves ballet and uses her love of reading to overcome some of obstacles thrown her way. She refuses to give up and it is a great story.

This is seriously the sweetest book! I love the story, especially since it's based on a true story. My daughter has loved reading it with me too and requests it over and over again. So happy to have this one in our collection.

Great book to introduce my 5 year old to the idea of racism in a topic that interests my daughter. It's an inspiring story, well-written and great pictures. I highly recommend.

My toddler loves this book

My daughter says "5 stars"

This story of a little girl of color who decides, in 1953, she wants to be a ballerina is beautifully told by the talented authors and illustrator of Ready to Fly, How Sylvia Townsend Became the Bookmobile Ballerina. It’s a tale of a plucky, self-taught ballerina whose parents couldn’t afford ballet lessons. She persevered in pursuit of her passion and learned ballet by devouring books from her visiting bookmobile. Ultimately, a ballet teacher saw her passion and offered free lessons. The student triumphs in her quest to dance and grows up to inspire and train the nation’s next generation of dancers. The story is poetically and beautifully rendered. Readers will admire the tenacity of a young ballerina who wouldn’t take no for an answer. Undoubtedly, this story will inspire young readers as they face obstacles in life. A historic story with great relevance to today’s world as society seeks to overcome racial inequities and implicit bias. A little known story, well done.