Release Date: May 15, 2019
ISBN: 978-1-57869-012-1
LCCN: 2018958818
Picture Book (Ages 4 to 10)
32 Pages 11 X 8.5
Booksellers and Libraries: Order Here.

SYNOPSIS

Lucy’s dream is . . . not ballet. She wants to fly. She leaps on the shore with feathers, she practices gymnastics, but it’s dancing that really sets her free. Lucy unexpectedly finds the treasure of her spirit in formal ballet training and the world of dancers.

Splashed with humor, engaging and charming watercolors, and a delightful and appealing personal story, Lucy Dancer has the ring of authenticity and real-life emotions of a girl following an impossible dream.

Praise

“Lucy Dancer reads like the truth—like Eva lived it. The art is expressive, fun, and very moving . . . a great tribute to the world of dance, practice, and determination. Bravo!“
– Phoebe Stone, Parents Choice award-winning author of The Boy on Cinnamon Street and Romeo Blue

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“As a professional dancer who had started her first steps at the age of 10, I enjoyed every page of Lucy Dancer! Today I am a mother of a 7-year-old girl, and we had a great time together reading the book. The illustrations are wonderful and fun. I felt very touched by the story that reminds us that when you have a dream, and you set your goals, nothing can stop you. I believe this is a must-have book in the library of any kid. Abrazos!”
– Noel Strazza, Choreographer, Argentine tango teacher, and performer at Extempore Danse pabloynoel.com

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"The elegant and lyrical lines of the drawings strongly evoke the feel of dancing, [and] the text of the book stands beautifully on its own."  
– Sarah Dillard, author and illustrator of I Wish It Would Snow! and the Mouse Scouts series

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“Lucy’s vision of life as a dancer will keep you hooked until the end, for her emotions, experiences, and relationships are nothing other than opportunities for movement and joy. This is something we could all use in our everyday lives.”
– Tomás Howlin, Tango Maestro

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“Eva Zimet has given us an account of the evolution of a dancer so straight-forward and spare, yet so rich in emotion and relationships, that all I can say is, Bravo!”
– Rebecca Riley, Portals Center for Healing

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“Zimet’s simple yet lyrical text and full-color illustrations that mix line art and paint capture Lucy’s growing love for dance in an authentic voice. The image of Lucy’s initial disdain for ballet, including her rebellion against pink (“I wore black”), captures her emotions perfectly; her transformation into a skilled dancer, depicted through ballet poses, is also believable. This book will appeal most to dancers, but any child who’s had a passion surprise them will also feel at home.”

– Kirkus Review, read the full review here

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 “In Lucy Dancer, Eva Zimet tells a captivating tale about impossible dreams that can come true in most unexpected ways. The charming drawings are as full of life and spunk as Lucy herself, and the story proves that you don’t need wings in order to fly.”  
– Peaco Todd, cartoonist and illustrator, Good and Mad: Transform Anger 

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“Zimet's whimsical dancers play with your heartstrings in this inspiring tale, shared in a purity of language and beautiful images that capture the very soul and spirit of dance. Whether you're a budding ballerina or almost forgot you were ever a dancer, Lucy Dancer might just help you learn how to fly.”
– Marcy Goldman, best-selling author, publisher, and founder of betterbaking.com

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“A fine debut picture book, with spacious illustrations that capture the lightness of ballet.” 
– Leda Schubert, author of Trailblazer: The Story of Ballerina Raven Wilkerson

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“A delightfully charming and original picture book story for children ages 5-9, Lucy Dancer is unreservedly recommended for family, elementary school, and community library collections.”

– Midwest Book Review

Meet The Author

Eva Zimet is a fine and performing artist, using an interdisciplinary approach to her work. She brings Argentine tango to the Vermont community for social connection, well-being, recovery + discovery. Born in Queens, NY, and raised in and around Spanish Harlem, Zimet earned an MFA from Columbia University, a JD from Vermont Law School, and is a certified mediator. Her music training includes keyboard, Cape Breton fiddle, djembe, and dumbek. Her dance training includes modern techniques from Paul Taylor and Martha Graham, and West African from Jeh Kulu. She owes her ballet career to her training with David Howard and the Harkness House, Maggie Black, Zena Romett, and the Royal Academy of Dance in London. Her tango masters include Tomás Howlin, Pablo Pugliese and Noel Strazza, Guillermina Quiroga and Mariano Logiudice, Gustavo Naveira, and Alicia Cruzado.

Eva works with recovery communities, developing connections within and among individuals and communities through improvisation and dance. She now lives, writes, draws, and teaches in Vermont. She will dance anywhere.