Daria Peoples-Riley’s debut picture book is a celebration of individuality, self-expression, and dance. Fans of Misty Copeland’s Firebird and Matt de la Peña’s Last Stop on Market Street will want to read it over and over again.
When a young dancer is nervous about her upcoming auditions, her shadow springs to life and leads her on a joyous exploration of their city. Soon enough, the young girl finds confidence in her skills, her body, and her ability to shine.
With an energetic, rhythmic text that begs to be read aloud and striking, exuberant artwork, This Is It is a love story to originality and the simple joy of movement.
The future is in your footsteps.
Freedom is in your feet.
Put one foot in front of the other,
and greet your destiny.
About the Author
Daria Peoples-Riley’s first job was at nine years old, in the children’s section of her hometown library. Much later, she became a teacher, and now she is a full-time author and illustrator. This Is It is her first picture book, inspired by her daughter, her rich cultural background, and their first visit to New York City. She lives with her family in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Daria Peoples-Riley’s first job was at nine years old, in the children’s section of her hometown library. Much later, she became a teacher, and now she is a full-time author and illustrator. This Is It is her first picture book, inspired by her daughter, her rich cultural background, and their first visit to New York City. She lives with her family in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Praise For…
“A spunky, endearingly gawky girl leaps across the cityscape on the cover of this simple, but profound picture book about being brave and taking chances. ...This well-crafted book celebrates the joy of dance and shows a girl gaining confidence in herself—an important message for all children.” — School Library Journal (starred review)
“[A] delightful tale. ...this story showcases [dance’s] ability to instill grace and poise in the protagonist while also helping her to discover inner strength and resilience. A beautiful tribute to the power of dance that is a must-read for younger aspiring ballerinas.” — Kirkus Reviews
“A joyful celebration of dance that also reminds readers that doing something well requires hard work. ...The book opens and closes with the same advice, which is true for all endeavors: “Stand up tall, arch your back, hold your head high.” Pair with Misty Copeland’s Firebird.” — Booklist
“Peoples-Riley’s free-verse narrative has the force and drive of spoken-word poetry and echoes the energy of her stylized and graceful mixed-media art, which casts the girl as a star, even if she doesn’t know it.” — Publishers Weekly
“Thoughtful placement emphasizes the rhythm and affectionate tone of the rhyming second-person text. ...Like the illustrations the text comes full circle in a refrain of its first lines, with the addition of one last exhortation to the girl to seize this opportunity: “THIS. IS. IT.” — The Horn Book
