Mimi’s Tutu

I recently checked out the 1996 book Mimi's Tutu from the local library. I encourage you to check it out too, or buy it used from amazon.com. It is a lovely, unique picture book by Tynia Thomassie, with illustrations by Jan Spivey Gilchrist.

The main character, a young girl lovingly called Mimi, grows up in a family that loves music and dancing. Mimi observes the women in her family dancing together in African dance classes. One day another young girl shows up as well, but this time she is wearing a tulle tutu. Mimi wants to dance, and to wear a special outfit as well. Her family gives her her own lapa – a traditional African skirt. She proudly wears it and dances.

Mimi's Tutu is a great book to share with young children ages 3-8. It is a great story celebrating a young child's cultural history.