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Reviewed by Jennifer Senick for Readers' Favorite
As Shakespeare once wrote, “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players,” and that’s exactly what the young children in The Leading Role by Tuula Pere are eager to do. It begins one day when a young girl, Emma, discovers that her home’s attic is the perfect place for a performance. She’s full of ideas about writing a play, making costumes from old clothes, and creating an area for the audience. As she and her friends gather, they’re each excited to pitch in. Some want to act, some want to direct, and some just want to assist quietly behind the scenes. Personalities do clash a bit, which helps the group learn to work together to make the best theater production they can. Then an unexpected problem pops up right before the premiere. What are they going to do? Will the show go on?
I really enjoyed The Leading Role by Tuula Pere because it shows how every child can contribute to a project, which is a concept I’m continuously trying to reinforce with my students. From an educator’s perspective, it would work well in a classroom to discuss teamwork, aspirations, and problem-solving. It could also be extended to include activities such as acting out scenarios (like their own Attic Theater), designing costumes, or creating a class story to act out. Dane D’Angeli’s illustrations are warm and expressive, using soft textures and glowing light that capture the main focus of each page. I love Emma’s hair throughout the book. Youngsters who like to read about friendship, acting, or teamwork will absolutely enjoy this tale.
