Awards
Children's Books of the Year
Bank Street College Children's Book Committee

Original Art Show
Society of Illustrators

Interest Level
Grades 1 - 5
Reading Level
Grades 3 - 4
Themes
Historical Interest, Dance, Cultural diversity, Asian/Asian American Interest, Art

"This fictionalized tale is based on actual events that occurred in the early 1900s, when five- and six-year-old Cambodian girls were trained at the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh in the art of their country's traditional dance... Hoshino's matte acrylic paintings with pen-and-ink outlining and some paper collage contain elements of both impressionist and folk-art styles. They feature eye-pleasing shades of peach, burnt orange, soft yellow, aquamarine, and green. Images of lovely wide-eyed girls, sampan boats, and the cobblestoned courtyard of a French villa draw readers into Little Sap's world and expose a moment of creative inspiration. An inviting glimpse at Cambodian dance and a sweet tidbit of art history."

School Library Journal

"A debut for both author and illustrator, this picture book was inspired by a documented encounter between nineteenth-century-artist Auguste Rodin and touring Cambodian dancers. Though Little Sap feels 'like a magpie in a pen of peacocks,' she earns a spot in the king's royal troupe - and, later, impresses Rodin, who sees her in France, requests that she pose for him, and sends her off with thoughtful gifts... children will simply appreciate the ugly duckling premise and Hoshino's mixed-media paintings, which showcase the beauty of traditional Cambodian movement."

Booklist

"Lord's debut was inspired by a young dancer from a Cambodian troupe, seen and drawn by Auguste Rodin in Paris in 1906 (the basis for his Danseuse Cambodgienne sketches, according to an author's note). Little Sap, a laundrywoman's niece, is chosen to train as a dancer at the palace, becomes an accomplished performer and travels to France with the troupe to perform for the Parisians. Hoshino, also making her debut, paints a winsome girl whose solemn, demure expression draws readers into her intimate world, filled with exotic poses and costumes. A set of spot illustrations explains the meaning of the hand gestures and poses of classical Cambodian dance: 'Soon Little Sap learned to keep her face calm even when her insides jittered.' And the juxtaposition of : Little Sap's background and her new life come through fluidly in th text ('The gentle scritch scratch of Rodin's pencil reminded Sap of the chickens scratching in the dirt back home'). Both author and artist convey Monsieur Rodin's passion for the dancers, as well as the effect of his portraits on Sap ('No longer a simple country girl, Sap had grown into a graceful dancer, carrying her people's prayers to the heavens and her family's dreams,ms for a better life'). The story presents a rare look at Cambodian culture through the eyes of a winning heroine."

Publishers Weekly