Henrietta, the Singing Ballerina


Children - Grade K-3rd
38 Pages
Reviewed on 04/19/2026
Buy on Amazon

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Carol Thompson for Readers' Favorite

Henrietta, the Singing Ballerina by Christine Frisbee follows a young girl whose love of both singing and dancing shapes her journey toward self-expression. Henrietta is introduced as a joyful, imaginative child who treasures her ballet slippers and spends her days dancing through her home while singing with enthusiasm. Her excitement carries over to school and ballet class, where her passion sometimes clashes with expectations, especially when her teacher insists she focus on dancing without singing. Despite her best efforts, Henrietta struggles to separate the two, leading to moments of frustration and self-doubt. When an important audition opportunity arises, her habit of singing during dance causes embarrassment, and she begins to question her abilities. However, the turning point comes when visitors recognize her unique talent and appreciate both her dancing and her voice.

Henrietta, the Singing Ballerina by Christine Frisbee is a gentle, rhythmic story, and perfectly suited for young readers, with simple language that mirrors the innocence of childhood thought. The pacing moves smoothly, following a clear progression from excitement to challenge and finally to a joyful resolution, making it easy for children to stay engaged. The repetition of Henrietta’s song adds a musical quality that reinforces her personality and passion, while the soft watercolor illustrations by the author, such as the delicate tutu scenes and classroom moments, enhance the emotional tone and bring the story to life. The overall tone is warm and encouraging, offering a message about embracing one’s unique gifts. Readers who enjoy uplifting stories about creativity, confidence, and personal growth will find this book especially appealing. It's an excellent addition to a child's library.

Pikasho Deka

Henrietta, the Singing Ballerina by Christine Frisbee is a children's picture book that follows the story of a little girl who dreams of becoming a ballerina. Henrietta wakes up in the morning wearing her tutu and ballet slippers. She dances her way to the kitchen, all the while singing out loud. For Henrietta, there's nothing that brings as much joy as singing while she is doing ballet. At school, Henrietta is caught by her teacher, Miss Anne, watching birds dance outside the classroom window. She attends the ballet class and ends up singing as she dances, which is strictly prohibited by her dance instructor. She does the same in the audition for a show, much to the chagrin of Miss Bernadette. Now, Henrietta is upset. But her singing and dancing will bring her joy again.

Henrietta, the Singing Ballerina, is a heartwarming children's tale. This picture book will make young readers want to pursue their own dreams with passion. Christine Frisbee has written a wonderful story full of heart and charm. The narrative is engaging and very rewarding, particularly for children. The absorbing plot and the colorful illustrations by the author make sure young readers pay attention. On top of it, the protagonist is so adorable. Henrietta is a talented young girl with her own unique way of doing things. And because she is true to herself, her genuine love of singing and dancing brings her success and applause in the end. She is someone young readers can look up to. Overall, I think children are going to find this picture book very entertaining.

Diana Lopez

In Henrietta, the Singing Ballerina, Christine Frisbee teaches girls the importance of never giving up and following their dreams. Henrietta loves her ballet shoes. She even keeps them close by at night when she goes to sleep. In the mornings, she always puts them on, along with her tutu, to dance and sing around the house. Thursdays are a special day for her because she has ballet class. However, she has a problem: when she gets excited while dancing, she starts singing, which is something that isn’t allowed in class. This seems to get her into trouble on the day that some important visitors attend the ballet class to choose a dancer for their new show. Although she feels discouraged at first, thanks to that moment, she will discover the power of being true to herself and following the impulses that come from her heart.

I found Henrietta adorable because she stays focused on what she loves. Sometimes that gets her into trouble, like when she’s at school and gets distracted by looking out the window because she thinks the birds look like they’re dancing. However, that reveals her genuine love for dance and her natural behavior, which allows readers to relate to her in situations they can identify with. She also teaches the value of hard work through her constant practice. Christine Frisbee's narrative is easy to follow, realistic, and inspiring, reflecting enthusiasm for dance and singing. She also created the illustrations, and I loved that detail because it creates a strong connection between the images and the story. Henrietta, the Singing Ballerina isn’t just about dancing, but also about staying true to yourself.