Harriet's Recital (Nancy Carlson's Neighborhood)

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t Carolrhoda Books, Inc. / Minneapolis

for Susan Pearson, who has taught me so-o-o much. Thanks!

Text and illustrations copyright © 1982 by Carolrhoda Books, Inc., © 2006 by Nancy Carlson All rights reserved. International copyright secured. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise—without the prior written permission of Lerner Publishing Group, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in an acknowledged review. Carolrhoda Books, Inc. A division of Lerner Publishing Group 241 First Avenue North Minneapolis, MN 55401 U.S.A. Website address: www.lernerbooks.com Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Carlson, Nancy L. Harriet’s recital / by Nancy Carlson. p. cm. Summary: Harriet overcomes her stage fright and dances successfully and proudly at her ballet recital. eISBN-13: 978–0–8225–6540–6 eISBN-10: 0–8225–6540–4 [1. Ballet dancing—Fiction. 2. Fear—Fiction. 3. Dogs—Fiction. 4. Stage fright—Fiction.] I. Title. PZ7.C21665Has 2006 [E]—dc22 2005024954 Manufactured in the United States of America 1 2 3 4 5 6 – JR – 11 10 09 08 07 06

Harriet loved her ballet class . . .

except for one thing. Once a year, the class gave a recital. Harriet hated recitals.

“You’ll do just fine, Harriet,” said Miss Betty. “No, I won’t,” said Harriet. “I’ll trip.”

All week long, Harriet worried about the recital.

When she took a bath, she thought about falling.

When she saw her mother sewing her costume,

she worried that it would rip.

At last, the big day arrived.

Harriet was terrified.

She knew she would never remember her dance.

The whole thing was a big mistake.

Everyone else in her class was ready.

Miss Betty was welcoming the audience.

“I can’t do this,” said Harriet

as the class danced onto the stage.

“Just take a deep breath and relax,” said Miss Betty. “I can’t,” said Harriet.

“On you go,” said Miss Betty.

“Oh, no,” said Harriet.

“Take a deep breath,” Miss Betty whispered from offstage.

Harriet took one deep breath.

Then she took another.

She took one step . . .

then one more . . .

and then . . .

she was dancing!

“You were wonderful,” said Harriet’s father. “Were you frightened?” said Harriet’s mother. “Not a bit,” said Harriet, and they all went out for a soda.