Curtain Up by Dirk McLean (2010) is about Amaya’s experience auditioning, rehearsing, performing in a play. She looks to be perhaps in fourth grade. She delivers a monologue and sings in three auditions before finally being chosen for lead role. “All of her singing and dancing and acting classes had paid off.” At this moment early in the story, we wonder if she or her parents are the ambitious ones. Amaya will rehearse during day to perform “a professional play”, which means working with a tutor to complete school work.We learn a little about rehearsal, set design, costumes, choreography, dialogue, and the thrill of opening night. This really nice story for aspiring child actors.
France Brassard’s illustrations are realistic and thereby trasport the reader into the excitement of being a cast member.
