This story isn’t clearly LGBTQ inclusive, but some queer children may find a resonance in the tale of a shy, quiet boy who loves to dance. Stanley has dreams of tap dancing on stage, but was afraid to tell anyone but his pet mice. He practices in secret, until one day, the school principal notices him and asks him to be in the talent show. “I won’t take no for an answer,” she somewhat pushily tells him. “Talent should be shared.”
Stanley tries to prepare and finally has the courage to dance for another boy in his class. The boy tells him he’s “really good,” and gives him a pat on the shoulder. Stanley later slips into the auditorium to practice, only to find out that he’s accidentally performed during the auditions.
On the day of the performance, he’s cowed by the other students’ talents, wondering if he’ll measure up, but gains confidence and pride as he goes through his own routine. He wins first place—and takes this confidence with him, performing and speaking up more. “He still didn’t like parties or sports,” we read—and his favorite audience remained his mice.
I’m ambivalent about the parts of the book that seem to show Stanley being pushed or duped into performing—and where is/are his parent(s) in all this?—but the message of gaining confidence in oneself is a good one, as is the thought that there are parts of ourselves that will still remain the same, even as other parts change.
