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Table of Contents
About The Book
This uplifting picture book with gorgeous illustrations and minimal text shows the impact of accepting encouragement and paying it forward through the tale of a young ballerina overcoming stage fright.
It’s time to go on stage, but one young dancer is nervous. So she runs and hides until an older ballerina hears her sniffles and unties the beautiful red ribbon from her hair, offering it as a small, shining gift of courage.
With the ribbon in hand, the young dancer steps into the light and dances without fear. She takes to the stage over and over again…and years later, when she hears a little sniffle in the dressing room, she knows just what to do.
It’s time to go on stage, but one young dancer is nervous. So she runs and hides until an older ballerina hears her sniffles and unties the beautiful red ribbon from her hair, offering it as a small, shining gift of courage.
With the ribbon in hand, the young dancer steps into the light and dances without fear. She takes to the stage over and over again…and years later, when she hears a little sniffle in the dressing room, she knows just what to do.
About The Author
Photography by Shalyn Hoglund
Tessa Blackham is the illustrator of From a Small Seed: The Story of Eliza Hamilton by Camille Andros and Monday Is Wash Day by MaryAnn Sundby. In The Ribbon, Tessa’s debut author-illustrated work, she has, in a sense, fulfilled her childhood dream of being a ballerina by bringing dancers to life in her illustrations. Tessa lives in the Pacific Northwest with her family where she visits the ballet as often as possible. Visit her at TessaBlackham.com.
About The Illustrator
Photography by Shalyn Hoglund
Tessa Blackham is the illustrator of From a Small Seed: The Story of Eliza Hamilton by Camille Andros and Monday Is Wash Day by MaryAnn Sundby. In The Ribbon, Tessa’s debut author-illustrated work, she has, in a sense, fulfilled her childhood dream of being a ballerina by bringing dancers to life in her illustrations. Tessa lives in the Pacific Northwest with her family where she visits the ballet as often as possible. Visit her at TessaBlackham.com.
Product Details
- Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers (September 29, 2026)
- Length: 40 pages
- ISBN13: 9781665971690
- Grades: P - 3
- Ages: 4 - 8
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Raves and Reviews
“Blackham’s illustrations feel tactile and windswept, expressive enough to do the heavy lifting of storytelling with only a smattering of words across the entire book. A muted palette of gray, powder blue, and pale pink lets the vivid red ribbon pop from each spread, while layered echoes of pressed leaves give the story a handmade warmth and depth. Poignant repetition is used in both imagery and words to a calming, comforting effect. A sweet, quiet ode to the courage within.”
– Kirkus Reviews
Resources and Downloads
High Resolution Images
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Book Cover Image (jpg): The Ribbon
Fixed Layout eBook 9781665971690
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Author Photo (jpg): Tessa Blackham Photography by Shalyn Hoglund(0.1 MB)
Any use of an author photo must include its respective photo credit
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