Becoming a Ballerina: The Story of Michaela Mabinty Deprince

From Laura Obuobi, acclaimed author of NAACP Image Award nominee Black Gold and What Love Looks Like, comes a triumphant nonfiction picture book about ballet star Michaela Mabinty DePrince, one of the most celebrated ballerinas of our generation. This lyrical true tale follows her childhood, from Sierra Leone orphan to world famous dancer.

In a Sierra Leone dust storm, ballet swooped into Michaela Mabinty DePrince's life and never let her go. After her adoption brought her to the United States, ballet continued to be the consoling hand that guided Michaela, filling her with joy and hope. Over time, Michaela's love for ballet only grew, and with it her dream of becoming a professional dancer.

However, there were peers who told Michaela she didn't belong in the ballet world, that her skin and vitiligo made her too different. But ballet had stirred in Michaela a faith and determination that would help her turn her dreams into a reality.

From the acclaimed author of NAACP Image Award nominee Black Gold and What Love Looks Like, Laura Obuobi, and artist Olivia Duchess comes a lyrical and heartwarming picture book about one of the most influential ballerinas of our generation, inspiring all of us to never give up on our dreams.

"This picture book offers a tale of inspiration, perseverance, and triumph for a dedicated Black ballerina."--ALA Booklist

Olivia Duchess is an illustrator and creator of picture books. She graduated from Leeds University with a BFA in graphic and communication design and now works primarily in the world of illustration. Some of the books she has illustrated include Tiana's Perfect Plan written by Anika Noni Rose, Lovely Day by Bill Withers, and The Light She Feels Inside written by Gwendolyn Wallace. Olivia was shortlisted for the 2020 World Illustration Award and received honorable mention for the FAB Prize 2017-2020. Visit her at oliviaduchess.com.

Laura Obuobi (Oh-bow-be) is the award-winning author of Black Gold, an NAACP Image Award nominee and Bank Street Best Book, and What Love Looks Like, illustrated by Anna Cunha. Born and raised in Accra, Ghana, Laura was a preschool teacher for eight years before switching careers into the publishing industry. Her time with preschoolers and picture books set the stage for her transition into writing for children. She is a graduate of Teachers College, Columbia University, and the writing for children and young adults program at Vermont College of Fine Arts. Besides creative writing, Laura also finds joy in drawing, collaging, and painting. Visit her at lauraobuobi.com.