Ballerina Dreams: A True Story

Reach for this book when your child expresses frustration with physical limitations or feels that their body works differently than the bodies of their peers. It is a powerful tool for validating the physical effort required for certain tasks while maintaining a focus on the beauty and joy of the end goal. The story follows five young girls with physical disabilities, such as cerebral palsy, as they train for and perform in a real ballet recital. It handles themes of resilience and pride with a grounded, non-sentimental tone. Parents will appreciate how the real-life photography demystifies disability and replaces pity with admiration for the girls' hard work and artistic expression. It is a perfect choice for fostering empathy in all children or providing much-needed representation for those navigating similar physical challenges.