Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers: AWARENESS TOUR: Ellie’s Dancing Shoes by Scott Sollers, Illustrated by Bryan Janky

Monday, June 2, 2025

AWARENESS TOUR: Ellie’s Dancing Shoes by Scott Sollers, Illustrated by Bryan Janky - REVIEW + GIVEAWAY!

Welcome back!

As promised, another FABULOUS AWARENESS TOUR coming at you thanks to the folks over at The Children's Book Review (*waving at you, Bianca*)!

This next wonderful moment in your reading life shines the center stage spotlight on a Storybook that features spinning, twirling, and pirouettes, the likes of which I may never perform, but can always dream of, and they all stem from the dreams of a little girl. Ready to perform your best grande plie ever? Ladies and gents, may I present our featured title...

Ellie’s Dancing Shoes

Scott Sollers

Illustrated by

Bryan Janky

9788891383418

Mascot Books (2025)

About the book...

There is nothing Ellie wants more than to become a ballerina.

Every day she practices her stretches, leaps, twirls, and jumps. But Ellie doesn’t believe in herself. Her self-doubt gets in the way, and when she stretches, she slips. When she bends, she falls over. When she leaps, she slides. When she twirls or jumps, she gets all twisted and slumped over.

Until one day, her parents gave Ellie her grandmother’s magical dancing shoes. Soon, there are only graceful jumps, beautiful leaps, and dizzying twirls.

When the day of Ellie’s audition to become a ballerina arrives, her magic dancing shoes are lost. Will Ellie find them in time before her audition, or must she perform without them?

A beautifully illustrated story that shows children that their magic can be found within.

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All Ellie wants to do is dance, or more specifically be a BALLERINA. I remember taking classes myself as a child, and while I didn't harbor dreams of becoming a professional, I don't blame Ellie in the least!

The beauty, the grace, the strength, the talent... all these things and more that ballerinas tend to embody are wonderful attributes to have and strive for, and there's no reason Ellie can't be all of this too. The only thing is... she tends to get in her own way. She let's the little voice in her head that can feed our fears of failure, trip her dancing feet, and tumble her dreaming heart. Her parents see this and do what loving parents do... find a way to support her without her realizing where the push came from.

In truth, it's simply a confidence boost and the lesson learned of the real magic coming from inside each of us, but let's face it...it can be hard to believe those words as more than words, especially when we're young. It was wonderful to see Ellie blossom into the person she was suppose to be, the person she wanted to be, and when everything comes to light later on, an absolute joy to know that Ellie was exactly where she was meant to be with a full heart, a spring in her step, and a realized dream.

A great way for readers of all ages to be reminded of the real source of the magic in our lives, while encouraging us to never stop dreaming, or reaching for those stars. 🌟 Filled with inspiring illustrations that bring Ellie’s journey dancing right off the page and into our hearts.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Scott Sollers worked as an investment banker in the municipal securities industry for decades. He created Ellie’s Dancing Shoes and other nighttime stories for his daughter Stephanie when she was a youngster. Originally, he handwrote and illustrated these stories and finally had the inspiration to get them published. Scott is an avid golfer and the president of First Tee for the San Francisco region, a not-for-profit organization that teaches core values through golf to children. He currently resides in San Mateo, California, with his cat Charlie.

For more information, visit scottsollersauthor.com.

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GIVEAWAY

Enter for a chance to win a hardcover copy of Ellie’s Dancing Shoes.

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Special thanks to Bianca of The Children's Book Review for the chance to bring this title to you and for the ecopy for review! (THANKS!) This post is sponsored by Expound Publicity. The review and opinions expressed in this post are based on my personal view. For more information on this author, her other works, the illustrator, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links above. Be sure to check out the rest of the tour for more bookish fun!

TOUR SCHEDULE

Tuesday, May 6, 2025

The Children’s Book Review

Book Review of Ellie’s Dancing Shoes

Thursday, May 8, 2025

Confessions of a Book Addict

Book Spotlight on Ellie’s Dancing Shoes

Friday, May 9, 2025

icefairy’s Treasure Chest

Book Review of Ellie’s Dancing Shoes

Monday, May 12, 2025

Crafty Moms Share