Dancing, dreaming Angelina Ballerina turns 25

Growing up in Chicago, Katharine Holabird recalls dressing up with her three sisters and creating stories.

"We had a lot of fun being princesses and ballerinas," she said.

Then as a mom of two girls, Holabird watched her two daughters as they dressed up and danced, enjoying tutus and ballet lessons.

When the opportunity came to write a children's book, Holabird said she found a natural story to tell.

"It had so much to do with my own childhood and my children's dreams," she said.

Her story of an 8-year-old twirling mouse named Angelina Ballerina has captured children's hearts for 25 years.

As part of a national tour to celebrate the book series' silver anniversary, Holabird will appear at 4 p.m. Tuesday at Under the Sycamore, 970 Harris Road, Grayslake.

There will be Angelina Ballerina theme activities including raffles for DVDs, coloring sheets and activity kits.

Holabird loved making up stories since she was a child and dreamed of being a writer. She received a bachelor's degree in literature at Bennington College in Vermont and worked as a freelance journalist in Italy. She moved to London in 1974 to continue writing but worked as a nursery school teacher.

It was not until she had children, Tara in 1976, Alexandra in 1979, and Adam in 1983 that she was able to combine her love of children and writing.

"It was two great loves of my life coming together," she said.

Holabird believes one reason children love Angelina Ballerina is they can identify with her strong character. She loses her temper, shows jealousy but also has a big heart. She cares if she makes a mistake and wants to make it right.

'Her wish is to do her best," she said.

Creating Angelina Ballerina as a mouse was the work of her friend, Helen Craig. Craig had previously illustrated a counting book and ABC book, both featuring a mouse. So Craig suggested drawing Angelina Ballerina as a mouse.

"It was adorable. We knew it was Angelina Ballerina," Holabird said.

Holabird said the book did not receive an immediate response, adding the first American book was published in 1984 by Clarkson Potter in New York. But it was a dream come true when she heard books were selling in the U.S.

"It became an iconic book about little girls growing up," she said.

So she chose to write another one, focusing on the dramas her daughters brought home from ballet. It may be losing a shoe or missing a performance due to a cold. While sharing big dramas, Holabird said the books also explore issues such as bullying, fear and jealousy.

Holabird hopes Angelina Ballerina inspires families to talk together about all the adventures she has. And like Angelina, they want to pursue their own creative endeavors.

"Angelina is someone who follows her dreams. I hope they become inspired to follow their dreams," she said.

Holabird has heard stories from many girls and their parents who love the book. While she adds it is not a boy's book, she heard about one boy, Dominic Handford, who lives in the Welsh valleys. He became interested in ballet at age 6 after watching the television cartoon, "Angelina Ballerina." Now the 11 year old plans to study at the Elmhurst School for Dance in Birmingham, England.

Holabird said she tries to share with boys how strong male ballet dancers must be.

"You have to show them it's not just a girl thing," she said.

Angelina Ballerina continues to expand beyond her books. In 2007, the English National Ballet opened "Angelina's Star Performance," an original ballet based on "Angelina at the Palace" in London.

HIT Entertainment also is taking Angelina into computer animation to create a series titled "Angelina Ballerina: The Next Steps."

The new series, which is scheduled to premiere on PBS Kids this fall, will introduce watchers to Angelina's new home in a neighborhood on the other side of Chipping Cheddar, a new performing arts school, new friends, new teacher and new adventures.

As her book series has expanded to 60 titles in 18 languages, Holabird said Angelina Ballerina's popularity has been gradual.

"It has been astonishing how it has grown, how Angelina has touched so many hearts," she said.

Holabird sees more stories to capture Angelina's adventures. One may be seeing her take the role as a bridesmaid and perform at a royal wedding. Through the new animation series, Angelina also will meet mice who teach her different types of dance.

She said, "I hope she keeps dancing, dreaming and making children happy."