John's Turn by Mac Barnett

 

 John's Turn by Mac Barnett. Illustrated by Kate Berube. Candlewick Press, 2022. Children's picture book.

John's school has a traditional that on Fridays in the cafeteria, one student is able to perform for the whole school. One student played a tuba. One student did a card trick. One student told jokes. Now, it's John's turn. 

After breakfast, John puts on his costume: a leotard, pants, and slippers. John is going to do a dance. When Mr. Ross presses PLAY, John begins. Multiple pages show the dance steps as John glides and sways and jumps. He bows, the audience claps. The performance is a success!

In simple words, Barnett tells this story. He tells of John's nerves, but readers will also feel John's confidence. Barnett lets readers know what is expected at a performance. Illustrator Berube does a grand job of adding more to the story with subtle colors and emotions. The dance pages are filled with detail and sequence. The audience members are so typical of an elementary school that many adults will feel they recognize some children! John's smile and the excited clapping of the audience signal John's success.