Our Monthly Read-and-Dance-Along with the Chicago Public Library’s Lincoln Park Branch

At Tutu School, we believe every child should be able to experience the joy of dance and experience storybook adventures in ballet. That’s why we’re so excited to share a truly special chapter in our story: a monthly partnership with the Chicago Public Library for our Ballet Book Club. Each month, dancers can join us at the Lincoln Park branch to explore our Ballet Book Club book of the month…

We’re passionate about helping children nurture their imagination and develop confidence and joy through music and movement. Our mission has extended to our Ballet Book Club, a perfect blend of dance and literacy, aimed at helping young minds and bodies enjoy the world of dance through storytelling. Each month, Tutu School hand-selects a different dance book for our students to dance- and read-along to. This partnership brings our unique take on dance and storytelling outside of the studio and into the community. Each month, Tutu School dancers and interested friends alike are invited to join us at the library for a magical, interactive read-and-dance-along storytime. These events are free, open to the public, and full of magic—exactly the kind of storybook adventure we always dreamed of sharing.

Our Ballet Book Club began as a way to build upon the ideas introduced in our Ballet Storytime. As a sort of supplement to this curriculum, this book-of-the-month style club explores more exciting tales of dance, from whimsical fairy tales to heartwarming stories to important life lessons. Young readers are bound to have a blast with Ballet Book Club!

Inside a Ballet Book Club Event

If you’ve never been to a Ballet Book Club event before, we hope you join us soon! There is an event each month that is free to the public and is always a magical time. If you’re not yet sold on the magic, picture this: a sneak peek at a Ballet Book Club event… A cozy corner of the library transformed into a whimsical dance space, perfect for a chance to dance along to the story being read to our young dancers.. A circle of wide-eyed children (and often a few grown-ups!) gathers on colorful rugs and cushions. A Tutu Teacher sits front and center with a book in hand, ready to lead the way into a world of story and movement.

The book is always carefully chosen—a tale that centers around dance or dancers, or that celebrates themes of creativity, confidence, community, or culture. As we read aloud, we pause often to invite participation. What does this character feel right now? Can we show that feeling with our arms, our faces, our toes? When a dancer in the story leaps, can we leap too?

Every storytime is paired with creative movement exercises that fit the story, from the plot to the characters to the emotions shown in the book. Little dancers stretch, twirl, tiptoe, and plié alongside their Tutu Teacher, with each movement bringing the story to life in a way that engages their whole bodies and imagination. It’s storytelling with movement, excitement, and so much ballet fun!

Much like our in-class storytime, there’s always space for discussion. During and after the story, dancers are encouraged to ask questions and share their thoughts. It’s amazing what young dancers will share when you give them a safe, supportive space to speak and we hope that the kinds of stories we share give way for little ones to think big thoughts that expand their imagination and empathy.

Community Through Dance and Literacy

We’ve always believed in the power of partnerships, and as a small business, we know how vital it is to be a part of the community. While our studios in Roscoe Village and Lincoln Park are full of tutus and magic, community spaces like libraries are important gathering places where all children and families can learn, grow, and connect– and we always bring our Tutu School sparkle wherever we go (and we might just have a few extra tutus in toe, too!). Libraries provide free access to information, education, and inspiration where everyone can learn, and we can’t think of a better home for the Ballet Book Club. Plus, with this partnership, little dancers can be little readers and can sign up for their very first library card with the help of the incredible library staff after our storytime session!

The Lincoln Park Branch has welcomed Tutu School and our dancers with open arms, and their warm, family-friendly space and passionate staff make each visit special. Hosting our Ballet Book Club here allows us to reach a wide audience, introduce more families to the joy of dance, and celebrate the incredible role that libraries and literacy play in childhood development.

Plus, what better place to discover a new favorite story than a library? After each session, dancers are encouraged to check out books, sign up for a library card, or explore the children’s section with their grown-ups. Little dancers leave the library proudly showing off their brand-new cards, and we couldn’t be prouder to help usher in a lifelong love of reading.

Celebrating Different Dance Forms and Dancers

While Tutu is a boutique ballet experience, Ballet Book Club isn’t limited to one style of dance; it’s a place where all forms of dance are celebrated. Our story selections highlight a wide array of dance traditions and experiences. Throughout the years, we’ve read about Mexican folklórico with the inclusion of Danza!, Indigenous dance traditions in Find My Dance, and have learned about how everyone dances in a way that best fits their bodies with the protagonist of Ballerina on Wheels: Amazing Ava’s First Dance Recital.

The books selected allow children to see themselves represented in the pages, and they offer glimpses into other people’s lives, cultures, and forms of dance. Whether we’re reading about a boy who dreams of combining his love for dance with his love for basketball in When Langston Dances or a little dancer who learns the beauty of sharing her culture in Bharatanatyam in Ballet Shoes, every book invites children to feel connected, seen, and celebrated. By selecting stories that reflect a diverse range of characters, backgrounds, dance styles, and life experiences, we’re helping to build empathy, understanding, and a confident self-image. Every dancer deserves to feel like the star of the story!

The Magic of Literacy and Libraries

Our partnership with the Chicago Public Library in Lincoln Park is rooted in a shared commitment to early childhood literacy. Research shows that reading aloud to children helps build vocabulary, listening comprehension, and emotional intelligence. When we add movement to the mix, we’re offering a multi-sensory experience that makes those lessons even more powerful.

In our Ballet Book Club events, dancers don’t just listen to a story, they’re growing their minds! They learn new words to add to their burgeoning vocabulary. They explore how a character might feel and try to express that emotion through their bodies. They make connections between the page and the real world in a way that sticks with them long after the event is over.

We also recognize that not every child engages with stories in the same way. Some children are natural listeners, others are eager movers, and some love to chat and share. Our read-and-dance-along format creates room for all of those learning styles to thrive. It’s inclusive, adaptable, and designed to support the whole child.

Ultimately, our monthly partnership with the Chicago Public Library’s Lincoln Park Branch is about so much more than books and ballet. It’s about belonging. It’s about creating a community space where children feel free to move, imagine, ask questions, and be themselves. It’s about lifting up stories that matter and giving young dancers the tools to dream bigger.

As a small business rooted in the local community, we’re incredibly proud to be part of this collaboration. We know that when schools, libraries, families, and arts organizations work together, the results are magical. We’ve seen shy children blossom in these sessions, making new friends and gaining confidence with each visit. We’ve seen parents and caregivers light up as they watch their little ones discover a new story—and a new way to express themselves.

Ballet Book Club is more than just a monthly event. It’s a celebration of imagination, inclusion, and inspiration. It’s a reminder that every child has a story to tell—and a dance to share.

Many of the books we share are also featured in Tutu School lobbies and, of course, at the library, so whether you’re waiting between classes at the studio or browsing the CPL shelves, you can always find a Ballet Book Club book. Tutu School also donates a copy of the book to the library each month, so keep your eye out for the Ballet Book Club sticker, so you can take the magic home with you. Families are encouraged to revisit the stories at home, adding their own special touches, finding new music, costumes, furry friends or siblings to dance along with, or even a full-on living room performance! These simple activities can spark meaningful moments and help reinforce the joy of reading and dancing at home with the whole family.

Come read-and dance-along!

Chicago dancers, we’d love to see you at one of our upcoming Ballet Book Club sessions! Events are typically held once a month and are best suited for children ages 3-8, though all are welcome to join in on the fun. No dance experience is required, just bring your curiosity, listening ears, and a love of dance

We think storytime should always be a little sparkly, a little musical, and be full of magic. Whether you’re already at the studio each week for class or just curious about the magic of stories and dance, keep an eye on our Instagram page or the Lincoln Park Branch’s event calendar for dates and details.