Mirette on High Wire / Emily Arnold McCully
G.P. Putnam's Sons.
1992
Mirette learns tight rope walking from Monsieur Bellini, a guest at her mother's boarding house, not knowing that he is a celebrated tightrope artist who has withdrawn from performing because of fear.
Overcoming fears, perseverance, circus themes.
McCully's illustrations are so bright and lively! I wanted to BE Mirette when reading this as a child, and still kinda do. To put yourself in the shoes of a brave little girl who gets to learn something exotic, and even inspire bravery in another, is something special. My heart stops and I get teary eyed at the spread of Mirette and Bellinni on the wire, against the night sky, hands reaching out to each other every time.