Mary Lyn Ray is the author of many picture books for children. Her
texts are often praised for their lyricism and emotional depth, and
in her works, she frequently focuses on humankind’s relationship
with nature. Among her critically acclaimed
titles are Stars, Christmas
Farm, Pumpkins, The Thank You Book, and Go to Sleep,
Little Farm.
Lauren Stringer has illustrated many celebrated picture books,
including Deer Dancer by Mary Lyn Ray; The Princess
and Her Panther by Wendy
Orr; Scarecrow and Snow, both written by Cynthia
Rylant; as well as her own Winter Is the Warmest
Season, When Stravinsky Met Nijinsky, and Dark Was Done.
She lives with her family in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Visit her at
LaurenStringer.com.
* "A young ballerina finds her muse in a woodland creature. . . .
Ray's brief text lyrically sings of the beauties of dance and
nature. Stringer's lush acrylic paintings depict the forest in
sumptuous shades of sunshine yellow and emerald green, the girl and
deer each captured in swirling scenes of graceful movement. . . .
How wonderful to connect the structured world of ballet with the
free-form world of an animal at play. An ode to joyous dance."
*Kirkus Reviews, April 2014, *STARRED REVIEW*
"Feeling a bit discouraged about her skills as a dancer, a little
girl finds inspiration in a magical encounter with a deer in a
peaceful clearing.... Stringer’s artwork is nothing short of
mesmerizing. The shades of green saturating the book are rich and
energizing.... Ray's spare writing is lovely and appropriate in its
quietness, reflecting the hushed awe and respect of the little girl
for her dance partner and their stage. This is a spectacular book,
celebrating the outdoors, dance, and the beauty inside each of
us."
*School Library Journal, May 2014*
* "This utterly charming tale begins with a girl dancing in a glen.
Then a deer appears. . . . Ray's evocative text has a subtle
message about listening to the music in your heart. On the page,
the words whirl in tandem with the marvelous art that recalls
picture books from an earlier time. . . . Yet this beautifully
crafted piece of bookmaking never feels dated, but rather timeless.
Together, children and adults will revel in this excursion to a
world where all is possible when no one is looking."
*Booklist, May 2014, *STARRED REVIEW*
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