The Polar Bear and the Ballerina

A polar bear and a human dancer form an instant bond in a lushly rendered wordless picture book from Velasquez (Outspoken). When a young Black ballerina leaves a flowing red scarf behind following a moment of interspecies connection during a photo shoot at the Central Park Zoo’s polar bear tank, the bear climbs out of its enclosure, ties on the garment, and heads out through the park. It soon arrives at Lincoln Center, where the dancer is performing with the Harlem Children’s Ballet. A “no polar bears allowed” sign above the ticket window bars the animal’s entry, but a loud growl brings the dancer running to retrieve the scarf and escort the ursine figure into the performance hall, where it sits clapping in the audience, viewing—displayed across the stage—the image of the dancer in front of its tank. Final scenes see the bear making its way home in a reverie and dreaming of its own stage debut. Thickly stroked art invokes a strong sense of place, employing instantly recognizable landmarks alongside comically melodramatic bystanders. Background characters reflect the city’s diversity. Includes polar bear “fun facts” and an author’s note. Publishing simultaneously in Spanish. Ages 4–8. (Oct.)