Looking through an online catalog I found a couple titles that looked interesting to read. At the time they did not have a link to them, so I emailed the rep of the publisher to see if I could get a reader copy either digitally or physically. I found it a little funny as she is a former coworker of mine from the sister store. I gave them a little gossip, and asked for a reader. They had just gotten digital ones and sent me one for Bravo for Backstage! by Mary Rand Hess, Randy Preston, and (illustrator) Marilena Perilli. It is due mid-late September 2025.
Now, while I might not be getting a finished copy for myself, I am excited to promote the title. This book is fun and is set up in a different way to deal with the emotion of disappointment. The cute illustrations show a diverse cast of friends and a peak at theater without getting “down and dirty” and not talking down to the audience. We follow Oscar, a wannabe thespian who does not get the part he wants in the school play, is appointed stage-manager with another classmate. This is of course, not what he wanted and is more than a little disappointed about this turn of event and isn’t shy to say so. But between his friends/theater kids, teacher and his family he learns ways to deal with this disappointment.
And here is where things get fun. The book is set up as if it is a script of sorts. We see the “songs of the play” as if our characters were performing on stage in little “side bubbles” on the page. We never see the actual performance the cast is putting on (outside of a wig snafu and a few backstage needs), but we get that feeling of a play nonetheless making it clever and funny. Now, the illustrations, though I did find them cute, are a bit sugary at times. But that just keeps the tone more upbeat and if we were watching Disney putting on a high school musical for the middle school group.