Naughty Toes

Trixie and her sister Belinda both attend ballet classes but while Belinda is a prima ballerina in the making, Trixie definitely is not. When Madame Mina gives the command ‘point’ everyone’s toes turn out – except for Trixie whose naughty toes persist in going in the opposite direction – and when everyone is floating like graceful clouds, Trixie spins like a dust storm.

Trixie has her own style, it just isn’t that of a ballerina and vibrant illustrations capture her character and inability to conform. Delightful collage and scratchy-style depictions of characters provide a note of quirkiness suited to Trixie and her mishaps as she bounces around well-designed pages.

It does seem hard that Trixie is cast as a rock in the ballet show. However, Madame Mina, who no doubt needed to keep her out of harm’s way, makes up for Trixie’s inactive role by presenting her with the right shoes for her naughty toes – and Trixie discovers she is really a tap dancer. An entertaining look at not fitting in but eventually finding where talent and inclination lies.